Never Mind The Books. Here's... PUNK DAY

Never Mind The Books. Here’s… PUNK DAY.
This July, the Henry Watson Music Library will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sex Pistols’ iconic 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall.

A definitive milestone in the city’s musical history, Sex Pistols’ first appearance in Manchester has since become the stuff of rock legend. Named “the most important gig of all time” by the NME, it was a watershed moment that ushered in a new generation of artists and a new way of thinking, and redefined music in the North, and beyond, forever.
With the former Lesser Free Trade Hall just across the street, the Henry Watson Music Library at Central Library will be commemorating that legendary date with a day that salutes everything PUNK.
Promising a packed afternoon of themed talks and Q&As, acclaimed author DAVID NOLAN will be presenting his book “I Swear I Was There - Sex Pistols, Manchester and the Gig that Changed the World”. Despite thousands claiming they were in attendance, only a handful of people were actually there - but those that were went on to form bands including The Smiths, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order and The Fall. In a myth-busting masterclass of investigative journalism, Nolan has sorted the hardcore facts from the rock’n’roll fiction and will be appearing at the Library in-person to tell us exactly who really was at the Lesser Free Trade Hall gig, and who has just been blagging…
Elsewhere, Manchester music scene legend and talking head JOHN ROBB, will be talking about his brand new book “Punk Rock Ruined My Life and Other Stories”. As the frontman of both Membranes and Goldblade, and founder of tastemaker site Louder Than War, John is a man who knows punk inside-out. Chatting through his new memoir, he will be delving into his deep friendships with figures like Poly Styrene to Chris Packham, growing up in Blackpool, interviewing icons like Mark E. Smith to Patti Smith, plus opening-up on a host of other riotous stories.
Plus, proving it wasn’t just the Pistols tearing up the rule book, Louder Than War journalist IAIN KEY will be presenting his new “All The Young Punks: A People's History of The Clash”. From their own punk explosion of 1976 to become an internationally acclaimed arena act, Iain will be discussing their history with lifelong Clash fan PAUL HANLEY (ex-Fall).
And in true punk spirit, one of Manchester’s most fiery new acts DEAD STILETTOS will be performing live to show us that the legacy of what the Sex Pistols started in the Lesser Free Trade Hall is alive and well. DIY to the core, the five-piece have been described as "Stoogified Mancunian Punk” and will deliver an audible shot of live rock’n’roll mayhem to close proceedings with a bang.
“Never Mind The Books. Here’s… Punk Day” takes place at the Henry Watson Music Library, Central Library on Saturday 11 July 2026.
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Doors from 11.30. Ends 16.30.
All books by featured authors will also be available for purchase on the day.
All donations from tickets will go to Manchester Libraries.

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