This event, hosted by Urbis, provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history and cultural importance of one of Manchester's most fascinating venues. It is presented by our own CP Lee alongside David Nolan - author of the newly-published book, 'I Swear I Was There', which tells the story of the Sex Pistols' hugely influential Free Trade Hall gig of '76. See the Urbis press release below: Lecture Thursday 8 June 6pm -7.30pm Urbis foyer £5 A full paid bar will be available during and after the lecture, and copies of David Nolan’s new book will be available for purchase at the Urbis bookshop. This is also a chance to check out the Corridor Gallery exhibition, I SWEAR I WAS THERE, with previously unseen photos of the infamous Sex Pistols gig. Booking: Tickets can be booked on 0161 605 8220 or in person at the Urbis shop. Presenters: David Nolan is a journalist, author, award-winning television producer and failed musician. He has written and produced the documentaries I Swear I Was There, These Things Take Time: The Story of The Smiths, Meet the Bunnymen and Truly Madly Deeply Vale. He has won three Royal Television Society awards for his programmes Riot!, 2004 and Are You Being Serviced? He is also the author of I Swear I Was There . The book is the definitive story of the legendary Pistols performances at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1976 which kick-started the city’s music scene, inspiring bands like Joy Division, Buzzcocks, The Smiths and The Fall as well as the creation of Factory Records, the Hacienda and the Madchester scene. He has also written for magazines as diverse as British Business and Penthouse. David’s favourite bands include Big Star, Doll by Doll, Coheed and Cambria, The Feeling and XTC. He is the former lead singer with unknown South Manchester techno-ponces Can’t C For Colours. CP Lee is a writer, broadcaster and also a lecturer at Salford University. His publications include Like The Night Revisited - Bob Dylan and The Road to Manchester Free Trade Hall and Shake, Rattle and Rain - Popular Music Making in Manchester 1955 - 95 He has written and presented various documentaries for BBC R4, including ones on American artists Lord Buckley and Tiny Tim, and Jollywood - Fim Making In Manchester. He is currently researching the creation of regional identity through film and television and is actively engaged in the preservation and archiving of films from the Mancunian Film Studio (1925 -67).