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The Sex Pistols play Manchester

Stuart Maconie assesses the impact of the gig the Sex Pistols played at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall in June 1976.

Another chance to hear Stuart Maconie's assessment of the impact of the Sex Pistols' gig in Manchester in June 1976.

When the Sex Pistols took to the stage in Manchester's tiny Lesser Free Trade Hall on 4 June 1976, their performance arguably changed the world of music. Along with Woodstock and Live Aid, the gig has been acknowledged as one of the most influential live sets of all time, due to the power of the music and the effect that the show had on the handful of people who witnessed it.

For years the gig was shrouded in myth and legend, with literally thousands claiming that they were in attendance. It has since been found that just 35-40 people could have been present - but they included some who would go on to form some of the most iconic bands of the time, such as the Smiths, Buzzcocks, New Order, Joy Division and the Fall.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Jun 2019 02:00

Music Played

  • Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

    • Greatest Hits Of The 70's (Various.
    • Disky.
    • BX-991472.
  • Sex Pistols

    ANARCHY IN THE U.K.

    • 1977 - The Spirit of Punk.
    • Virgin.
    • VTDCD-870.
  • Sex Pistols

    Music 3 No Fun

    • Live and Loud.
    • Link.
    • Linkcd-063.
  • Joy Division

    Love Will Tear Us Apart

    • Love Will Tear Us Apart.
    • LONDON.
    • UK-YOJCD1.
  • The Fall

    Hit The North

    • 458489 A SIDES.
    • BEGGARS BANQUET.
    • BEGA-111 CD.
  • Sex Pistols

    PRETTY VACANT

    • KISS THIS.
    • VIRGIN.
    • CDV-2702.
  • The Smiths

    This Charming Man

    • The Smiths: Best....
    • Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
    • 450990327-2.
  • Buzzcocks

    Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

    • LOVE BITES.
    • EMI.
    • CDP-7931092.
  • Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

    • Greatest Hits Of The 70's (Various.
    • Disky.
    • BX-991472.
  • Sea Power

    It Ended on an Oily Stage

    • Rough Trade Records.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 9 Aug 2011 00:00
  • Fri 8 Jun 2012 00:00
  • Thu 27 Sep 2012 00:00
  • Fri 7 Nov 2014 02:00
  • Fri 3 Jun 2016 02:00
  • Fri 21 Jun 2019 02:00