Joy Division

45 Years Later: Closer & The Last Days Of Joy Division

Because of the death of Ian Curtis and the nature of the band's last recordings, Joy Division's Closer is an album around which a stillness has settled. In truth, says Jonathan Wright as he talks to Peter Hook and Paul Morley, no band evolved so rapidly. This feature was originally published on 13/07/2020

Lumpen Revolutionaries: Lars Iyer’s My Weil Playlist

For his latest novel, Lars Iyer returns to his alma mater for a story about student film-makers, disaster studies, and Simone Weil

Manchester Will Haunt Itself: The British Pop Archive Reviewed

At the launch of the British Pop Archive at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Lottie Brazier asks what it means to exhibit Ian Curtis's handwritten lyrics next to Shakespeare and the Gutenberg Bible

Room To Live: Dave Haslam On Sylvia Plath & Ian Curtis

They took their own lives, and each have had posthumous fame and now inhabit a significant place in our culture. But Dave Haslam suggests the manner of their deaths distorted our perception of Sylvia Plath and Ian Curtis

40 Years Later: Closer & The Last Days Of Joy Division

Because of the death of Ian Curtis and the nature of the band's last recordings, Joy Division's Closer is an album around which a stillness has settled. In truth, says Jonathan Wright as he talks to Peter Hook and Paul Morley, no band evolved so rapidly. All Joy Division portraits courtesy of Kevin Cummins

An Exactly Drawn Dawn: How Factory Revolutionised Record Design

In an exclusive extract from the new book, FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album, label co-founder Tony Wilson reflects on what made the look of Factory Records so outstanding and how the Happy Mondays managed to offend Genesis P. Orridge

Low Culture 3: The ‘Curse’ Of Echo & The Bunnymen

Richard Foster sets out to rescue Bunnymen from thee crack of doom - the hackneyed “coulda been” curse - with a celebration of their music’s demonic heat. All photographs courtesy of Will Sergeant

I Use The NME: Kevin Cummins On The Sex Pistols

Duncan Seaman interviews Kevin Cummins about the Pistols last gig, Joy Division's anti-fashion, the possible Oasis reunion and Morrissey

How I Learned To Love Tony Blackburn, By Pete Paphides

After the recent sacking of Tony Blackburn by the BBC, Pete Paphides has the revelation that the guileless broadcaster was a prism through which he's charted his own life in pop

Unfinished Business: New Order Interviewed

Don't call it a comeback... John Doran talks to New Order about their best album in a quarter of a century

Beyond The Hits Of New Order, Joy Division And Warsaw

Our favourite album tracks, deep cuts, rarities and b-sides as chosen by Alfred Soto, David Bennun, Julian Marszalek, Jude Rogers, John Doran, Yousif Nur, Aug Stone, Joe Kennedy, Andy Thomas, Ian Wade, Colm McAuliffe, Geoff Cowart, Ed Power, John Mullen, David McKenna, Pavel Godfrey and Adrian Lobb

Believe In A Land Of Love: New Order’s Low-Life 35 Years On

Julian Marszalek casts his mind back to teenage years in Slough to remember the record that saw New Order continue their transition from the monochrome of Joy Division to the bright lights of the 1980s dancefloor

Join The Chant? Pop’s Endlessly Problematic Relationship With Politics

As senior columnists and musicians complain that younger generations are no longer both musically and politically engaged, David Stubbs argues that rock and pop have never been the defiantly countercultural revolutionary corps that many claim

The Anatomy Of A Photograph: Salford Lads Club & The Smiths

The story of an icy cold afternoon, a nervous photographer and the picture that sparked a gazillion copies, by Mick Middles

Haphazard Archivism: Stephen Morris Of New Order Interviewed

John Doran talks to Stephen Morris about New Order signing to Mute, pulsar PSR B1919+21 and Joy Division oven gloves

Master Of Puppets: Blurt’s Ted Milton Interviewed

Ahead of a live streaming gig on Saturday (see the foot of the feature for cheap tickets),Ted Milton of art rock, jazz punk 'situationists' Blurt talks to Sean Kitching. Photographs courtesy of Rene Castelljn

30 Years On: New Order’s Power Corruption And Lies Revisited

Ned Raggett, our man in Orange County, CA, ponders the magnificence of New Orders second long player

Faintly Transcendental: On The Poetry Of Graham Foust

Scrutinising the influences, from time and place to Joy Division, and stylistic idiosyncrasies which together make up the work of this ambitious American poet, Alex Niven provides a guide for the Foust-uninitiated

Lord Horror: A History Of Savoy Publishing

Carol Huston discusses with its enigmatic founders, the publisher's turbulent history and the influence and circumstance that lead to its iconic output

Not So Polite: Wally Van Middendorp Of Minny Pops Interviewed

Nix Lowrey talks to a mainstay of the Dutch post punk scene about reformation, Joy Division and cheeky northerners. Wally portrait by Robin Butter. Live shot by Jos van Vliet

Totally Wired: An Interview With Spoek Mathambo

We speak to the multi-talented South African, whose new album Father Creeper is out on Sub Pop, about fear, flamboyance and funky house

From The Archives: Joy Division In Their Own Words

In another classic interview courtesy of Rock's Backpages we see that rarest of things Joy Division being discussed by themselves. Interview by Paul Rambali, NME, 11 August 1979

Dancing About Architecture: Postmodernism At The V&A

Postmodernism has become a dirty word in recent times. The V&A's current exhibition shows it wasn't all bad, writes Lee Arizuno

Twist Of Fate: Bernard Sumner Interviewed

Former Joy Division and New Order guitarist Bernard Sumner talks to Jude Rogers about his new venture Bad Lieutenant, the demise of the Hacienda and Joy Division merchandise

Kevin Cummins Hits The North – Joy Division To Oasis Caught On Camera

As legendary NME snapper Kevin Cummins exhibits photographs of his Mancunian muse in Yorkshire, we present a gallery of his photographs and hear the curious story of Ian Curtis' pink suit. Interviews by John Tatlock

An Extract From John Robb’s Manchester Music City 1976-1996

Peter Hook Interview: Freebass, New Order and Joy Division Cruet Sets

Ben Hewitt talks to the Northern bass monkey about his involvement in getting some of the North's most historic music sites blue plaques

Jude Rogers On The Right Way To Remember Joy Division

As _Unknown Pleasures_ reaches its 40th anniversary, Jude Rogers looks behind the commercialisation at Joy Division's eternal truth

Vini Reilly: Always The Bridesmaid, Never The Bride

The Quietus tracks down the musician many still rate as the most expansive and creative of the post-punk era, The Durutti Column's Vini Reilly

Don’t Fear The Reaper – Mick Mercer On Goth

Alex Ogg talks to Mick Mercer about his new Gothic book, Music To Die For, and asks... goth or not?

Simon Reynolds In Conversation: Talking Totally Wired

The Quietus speaks to Simon Reynolds about his new book _Totally Wired_, a companion piece to post punk bible _Rip It Up And Start Again_

Black Sky Thinking: The Joy Division Industry

More offcuts from the factory, by Chris Roberts. Illustration by Stu Green

Beautiful Losers: Jim Reid of The Jesus And Mary Chain’s Baker’s Dozen

Eschewing what he sees as the wilful obscurity of previous Baker's Dozens, Jim Reid takes Daniel Dylan Wray through the 13 records that "chiselled out The Jesus And Mary Chain"

Open Doors: Gavin Friday’s Favourite Albums

From the intensity of working with Scott Walker, to the transformative thrill of seeing Joy Division live, via Mahler, Brel and Bowie, former Virgin Prunes frontman Gavin Friday takes Julian Marszalek through the 13 albums that shaped him

Pitch Perfect: Pat Nevin’s Favourite Music

Footballer, DJ and now writer, Pat Nevin talks Richard Foster through his 13 favourite records, including the time he got the fear from Delia Smith being at John Peel's birthday party, and being asked to write lyrics for Vini Reilly

The Old Country: Steve Von Till’s Baker’s Dozen

The long-serving Neurosis guitarist and singer shares his deep dive favourites; 13 albums which have shaped the way he looks at music and informed his writing and solo work as Harvestman and Steve Von Till

Beauty From Trauma: Paul Mendez’ Favourite Music

Pop is all over Rainbow Milk, the Gordon Burn Prize-nominated debut novel by Paul Mendez. Here he tells Paul Flynn how a love of Marvin Gaye, Beyonce, Solange, Joy Division and Missy Elliott gave him a clearer understanding of his sexuality and racial identity

Pulling At The Threads: Katie Gately’s Favourite Albums

On the release of her new album, Loom, the Brooklyn musician and sound artist talks about the records that have weaved their way through her life, from Joy Division to Joanna Newsom, Philip Glass to Low and This Heat

Off The Airwaves, On The Stereo: Mark Radcliffe’s Favourite LPs

Radio DJ hero and now musician Mark Radcliffe tells Jude Rogers tales of being seduced by David Bowie and the gift of a cheese pie from Kate Bush in this week's Baker's Dozen, also featuring the likes of Bob Marley, Joy Division and Stevie Wonder

Beloved Transmissions: Mary Anne Hobbs’ Favourite Albums

Ahead of her curation at the Manchester International Festival, Mary Anne Hobbs guides Daniel Dylan Wray on an inspiring trip through 13 records that shaped her life

Lay Of Her Land: Brix Smith Start’s Favourite Albums

As she prepares to release a debut album with her band of former Fall troopers, Brix Smith Start takes Julian Marszalek through some of the records that have shaped her life

Anthems: Laibach’s Favourite Albums

As the musical wing of Slovenia's NSK collective continue their tour presenting songs from The Sound Of Music, the group's Ivan Novak gets licence to pick 13 albums that inspired them prior to forming Laibach

Flip Your Wig: Bob Mould’s Favourite Albums

With his new, eleventh solo album Beauty & Ruin just released, the Hüsker Dü and Sugar man gives Nick Hutchings his top 13 records

Elements Of Confusion: Nick McCabe Of Black Submarine’s Favourite LPs

With New Shores, the long-awaited debut by Black Submarine, out this week, the former Verve guitarist goes from teenage mainstays to recently-heard favourites in his top 13 albums

Lust For Music: Irvine Welsh’s Favourite Albums

With Filth recently released on DVD and a new novel due later this year, the Edinburgh author places a long-distance call from Miami to give Joe Clay the rundown of his top albums

Second Helpings: Neil Arthur Of Blancmange’s Favourite Albums

Following his revisit to the synth pop duo's debut album Happy Families last year, Neil Arthur looks back over 13 other top albums from his past

Souvenirs: Andy McCluskey Of OMD’s Favourite Albums

Andy McCluskey, one half of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, gives us the low down on his top 13 LPs

Crime Plays: Writer Ian Rankin On His 13 Favourite Albums

Ian Rankin talks to Luke Turner about his life in music, and how he'd like to write novels based on Joy Division and David Bowie albums

Happy Songs? Stuart Braithwaite Of Mogwai’s Favourite Albums

Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite takes us through his favourite albums, and explains why it's Margaret Thatcher's fault that everyone in Scotland is a goth and how John Peel funded the Scottish music scene

Joking Aside: Jaz Coleman’s 13 Favourite Albums

Killing Joke's front man chooses his 13 favourite albums. As told to Dayal Patterson

There’s A Song Playing: Brett Anderson’s Favourite 13 Albums

From The Fall to Kate Bush, Bjork to Eno and Bowie to Midlake, Brett Anderson guides Luke Turner through his favourite 13 albums