Tony Wilson: Last News

Peter Hook has said that the uproar over a mural of his late Joy Division bandmate Ian Curtis being painted over with an advert earlier this week should spur on the campaign to put in place some kind of permanent tribute to the singer in Manchester. And, while we’re at it, a permanent tribute for the boss of Joy Division’s label Factory Records, the late Tony Wilson, would be nice too.The Curtis mural on Manchester’s Port Street, which was unveiled in 2020 to raise mental health awareness, was replaced with an advert for Aitch’s debut album, ‘Close To Home’, earlier this week.

A music festival and conference which began in Manchester last year will be returning once again to the city with venue takeovers, panel discussions and live events.

Richard Madeley and his wife Judy Finnigan looked loved-up as they walked arm in arm after a lunch date on Wednesday.

Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley took a dive into his photo archives and dug out a photo of himself dressed in drag as his wife Judy Finnigan, while chatting to RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle visage. On Wednesday morning's show, Richard and his co-star Susanna Reid were chatting to Michelle about appearing in RuPaul's Dragcon, before Richard shared the stunning snap where he was dressed in drag. Richard said: "They've dug out a picture of me dressed as Judy, my wife," before a picture popped up on the screen of Richard wearing a short blonde wig and a red skirt with a matching red blazer.

NME following the city’s inaugural Beyond the Music conference about how he hopes it will “galvanise” the music industry as issues affecting the industry fall on “deaf ears” at Westminster.Last month’s Beyond the Music explored multiple crises the music industry is currently facing, such as the future of grassroots venues and the continuing impact of Brexit on UK musicians struggling to tour Europe.On the latter, Burnham said “it’s just wrong” that the careers of young musicians are still suffering as they continue to face difficulties touring Europe post-Brexit.At the conference in October, Burnham discussed the “ridiculous” Brexit rules for artists travelling around Europe. Back in 2021, the UK music industry spoke out on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.Despite trying to raise these issues with ministers, Burnham told NME it’s still falling on “deaf ears” as the government continues to ignore the chaos Brexit has caused as artists struggle to navigate “all kinds of hidden obstacles” to performing in Europe.“It’s so frustrating, particularly given that Europe offered a better arrangement and in the rhetoric of Brexit, it got turned down,” he explained, referring to Boris Johnson’s rejection of a deal for artists proposed by Europe.

Music legends, including an X Factor icon, have led tributes to influential media director James Masters, who has died aged 50. James was the head of media for Manchester's iconic Hacienda and was behind media campaigns for the popular Hacienda Classical events and club nights. Joy Division and New Order star Peter Hook broke the news on his social media platforms on Thursday.

Pop superstar Rita Ora visited Manchester to take part in a keynote discussion as part of the city’s first ever music conference.

Last week, a Greater Manchester gig venue was saved in a first-of-its-kind music scheme led by the ‘National Trust of music venues’.

Richard Madeley has been a regular on our TV screens for decades, having fronted shows including This Morning and now being one of the presenters of Good Morning Britain. The 67 year old, who has opened up about an unpleasant encounter he had with an angry GMB viewer, rose to fame alongside his wife, Judy Finnigan, 75, with the duo fronting their own chat show, Richard & Judy, alongside other TV projects. Judy has since stepped away from television work.

Richard Madeley has become a nation's favourite over the span of his long-running career, rising to fame alongside his wife Judy Finnigan.

This week, I haven't been able to put my book down.

Wandering through Manchester city centre, the same faces follow you around.

Salford is home to the unhappiest families in the UK, apparently.

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A mural of the UK’s Eurovision hopeful Sam Ryder has been unveiled at Manchester Airport. It’s the work of iconic local artist Akse, who’s been behind a host of other murals across the city.

New Order have announced they’ll be heading out on the road later this year… but they won’t be playing a date in Manchester. The nearest show will be in Leeds in October.

Today, Chapel Street is a feast for the senses.

Peter Hook has said there should be a permanent memorial to Ian Curtis in Manchester following the removal of a mural to the late Joy Division musician.Earlier this week, a advertisement for Manchester rapper Aitch was placed over a much loved mural of Curtis in the city’s Northern Quarter. Aitch said he would “fix” the issue saying he had no idea that the advertisement was being placed over the mural.The mural, based on a photo of Curtis taken by Philippe Carly, was painted by Manchester street artist Akse P19.

Paul Ryder's family have announced that the Happy Mondays' co-founder has passed away. A statement shared on the group's official Facebook read: "The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning. "A true pioneer and legend.

For Factory Records co-founder Alan Erasmus, looking back on the opening of the Hacienda 40 years on is somewhat "bittersweet". Last weekend marked the landmark anniversary of the club, which would go on to "change Manchester and the world" after first opening its doors on May 21, 1982.

Manchester is set to be the home for Britain's first ever degree course designed to find the next music mogul like the city's legendary late Tony Wilson. Ostereo, a Manchester record company, is launching the first ever BA in Music Business that’s specifically aimed at the next generation of would-be pop moguls wanting to work in the £21 billion industry.