When Bernie Wilcox and Geoff Brown approached Chris Hewitt in June 1978 about building a stage and providing a PA system for Alexandra Park, Manchester, Chris already had all the hardware booked for the Deeply Vale Festival which was a week later in July 1978 than the date Bernie and Geoff had proposed for the Northern Carnival Against Racism Concert. This meant that all of the equipment, generators, scaffolding and fencing could simply have the hire period brought forward to cover Alexandra Park and the costs would be far more reasonable than a ‘start from scratch hire’. So it was that about 12 days before Deeply Vale 1978 we started to build a stage and secure compound in Alexandra Park, Manchester. Three days before Buzzcocks were due to play on the Saturday we got a call to ask if Graham Parker and The Rumour could rehearse in the park on the stage on the Thursday night as he was supporting Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton at a festival at Blackbushe Aerodrome on the Saturday and Graham and the Rumour had never played outdoors before. So we finished the stage by Thursday lunchtime for a free concert by Graham Parker in the evening and then Buzzcocks played Alexandra Park Saturday afternoon. Pete Shelley in 2016 –“I know Chris Hewitt obtained a recording of Buzzcocks at Alexandra Park, it would be great fun if it came out as an album”. Pete Shelley 1978 after his set at Alexandra Park –“This wasn’t politics it was fun, but the best kind of fun is with people and being with people is politics”. Paul Morley reviewing the concert – “Buzzcocks placed the emphasis on entertainment – a people’s celebration. Arriving on stage with no fixed set they played some pop music… They were a triumph."
Release date:
September 15, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
November 21, 2025 -
Miss Emily The Medicine
Gypsy Soul Records
November 21, 2025 -
Stay Inside Lunger (Yellow Glitter)
Tiny Engines
November 28, 2025 -
Dry Cleaning Secret Love
4Ad
January 9, 2026 -
Jonathan Groff & Original Broadway Cast of Just In Time Just In Time
Atlantic
November 28, 2025 -
Astarte Blackdemonium
Sleaszy Rider
November 7, 2025 -
TEED Always With Me (Clear)
Totally Enormous, LP
December 5, 2025 -
James Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of [5xLP]
Universal UK
November 28, 2025 -
Heavensgate ANGEL HYMNS
Pure Noise Records
December 19, 2025 -
Black Crowes Amorica. [2xLP]
American Recordings
November 14, 2025 -
Alter Bridge Alter Bridge [2xLP]
Napalm Records
January 9, 2026 -
Ultravox The Collection 2025 [2xLP]
Chrysalis
December 5, 2025 -
Conjurer Unself (Petrol / Black Smoke)
Nuclear Blast
November 7, 2025 -
Aarktica Ecstatic Lightsongs (Green & Black)
Hanaqpacha
October 31, 2025