Last weekend, on Saturday 14th December, The Distractions opened for Steve Diggle's Buzzcocks at 53 Degrees in Preston, rekindling a relationship between the two bands that goes back four decades.
(C) Gary M Hough Photography.
In an appreciative audience, that grew throughout a short but powerful support set, were a few expert photographers who've kindly provided some wonderful shots of the band.
(C) Gary M Hough Photography.
The set list was a mix of classics old and new. To whet your whistle for the Nobody's Perfect 2CD and LP reissue, which is less than three months away, here is the set list with the 2CD release details for each track:
1. Nothing (original EP, original LP mix and LP remixed versions)
2. Waiting For Lorraine (original and remix)
3. Juliet (new)
4. Stacey (new)
5. Time Goes By So Slow (remastered 7")
6. Time & Time Again (new)
7. Stuck in a Fantasy (original and remix)
8. It Doesn't Bother Me (original EP, original LP and remix)
(C) Gary M Hough Photography.
Tracks 3, 4 and 6 - already live favourites slotting seamlessly amongst late '70s classics - have already been recorded and mastered in the studio and are planned to be released in 2020.
(C) Steve White.
The band mingled with fans afterwards, while email addresses were collected for the first of two competitions to win signed Nobody's Perfect 2CD sets.
(C) Mike Glassey.
It was especially nice to meet two new fans - father and son - who stated that The Distractions were the finest support act they'd seen. Cheers chaps!
(C) Steve White.
Then it was over to Mr Diggle who delivered a storming set; Pete Shelley would have been proud! After the show Steve and Mike found time for a chat and who knows, maybe more Buzzcocks and Distractions shows will follow, maintaining the link that goes back to September 1977?
(C) Mike Glassey.
Don't forget that The Distractions will be playing the Pete Shelley memorial gig in Leigh on 15th February 2020. Get your tickets here.
Huge thanks to Gary M Hough Photography, Steve White, and Mike Glassey, for the photos.
