Stephen Morris to play at Christ Church

Stephen Morris, one of the founding members of Joy Division and New Order, is to play his first-ever town-centre gig in his home of Macclesfield.

Stephen, who was born in Macclesfield and has spent his life in and around the town, will play drums at Tim Burgess’ Acoustic Sanctuary part of Barnaby Festival’s Big Weekend finale.

The event will be a special, eclectic musical extravaganza in the stunning surroundings of Georgian Christ Church, built by Charles Roe in 1775 and described as an engineering marvel.

Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Macclesfield’s Jake Evans (Bad Lieutenant, Jimi Goodwin band), and critically acclaimed Mancunian wordsmith Mike Garry (God is a Manc, St Anthony, ode to legendary Factory Record boss Tony Wilson) will perform acoustic sets along with string quartet arrangements by renowned composer Joe Duddell.

Speaking about the event Stephen said: “I’m really looking forward to this. It is quite different to anything I’ve done before and to be playing drums in the church that I went to as a kid – is great.

“I have a bee in my bonnet about Christ Church, as I went to Christ Church Primary School and we used to go for harvest festivals, Easter and Christmas services and I have good memories of it. I did a reading there – my first public performance. It’s a marvelous space and it’s not really being used. It could be a great place for bands to play.

“When I was playing with Joy Division there was nowhere to play in Macclesfield. There was basically Moreton Hall and the Travellers Rest pub (Cross St) and we couldn’t get a gig.

“I didn’t play in Macclesfield until 1985 when New Order played at the Leisure Centre – and I don’t think there has been a gig there since. I’ve never played in Macclesfield town centre.

“Nearly 30 years after New Order played at the Leisure Centre and we are still short on large music venues. I hope that by supporting Barnaby Festival and Christ Church I can help to improve that.”

Stephen is also collaborating with festival organisers to programme the music for Barnaby Festival’s Big Weekend.

Christ Church will be home to Tim Peaks Diner. Brainchild of The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, and created in honour of film maker David Lynch, the distinctive pop-up café on Christ Church lawns will host a variety of acts from 11am – 10.30pm Saturday 21 June and from 12noon – 11pm on Sunday 22 June.

Music journalist Sarah Walters will interview Tim Burgess about life in a rock band on Saturday 21 June. During the day there will be pop-up performances by a host of entertainers, new bands and special guests.

Stephen added: “I’ve known Tim for years. I’ve also played on a couple of tracks on the new Charlatans album. It’s a great thing having some local bands play, listening to people talk and it suits the venue. I’m looking forward to seeing Christ Church being used.”

On Sunday 22 June at 2pm, Gillian Gilbert from New Order will join forces with Nik Colk Void from Factory Floor for a DJ set which assembles an eclectic, unpredictable and occasionally bewildering brouhaha of sound – in other words, the music that Sunday afternoons were made for!

Tim Burgess will then interview Stephen Morris at 3pm and they will share their thoughts about everything from the early days of the Macclesfield and Manchester music scene to the genesis of seminal bands Joy Division and New Order, through to current musical influences. All performances at Tim Peaks Diner are free.

Acoustic Sanctuary is the finale of Barnaby Festival’s Big Weekend and will take place on Sunday 22 June. Tickets for Acoustic Sanctuary cost £18.

Tickets for all events, as well as the complete listings for the Barnaby Festival 2014, are available at www.barnabyfestival.org.uk

Tickets are also available from the Visitors Information Centre in Macclesfield Town Hall.