Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, M2 5QR

I’ve started here as firstly, you’ve got to start somewhere, and secondly, and more importantly, this location features in the Smiths’ story for a number of reasons. 

The building was completed in 1856 and was constructed on the site of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre. Now only the facade remains as a Radisson Hotel has been built on the site. Having said that it’s still an impressive looking building. 

Long before The Smiths, Johnny Marr used to sneak into the venue to see the latest bands. He’d meet up with some other lads at the rear where there was a set of doors. They would wait until the support band started their set and then push at the doors forcing them open. Once open they all ran inside.

Morrissey attended a David Bowie gig here in June 1973. It was a big event, Morrissey and friend Mike Foley cut and dyed their hair for the occasion.

The Free Trade Hall was also where one of the most significant musical events in history took place. On the 4th of June 1976 a group from London travelled north to play the Lesser Free Trade Hall, a smaller room upstairs. The group were The Sex Pistols. The gig had been organised by Howard Trafford and Pete McNeish who would become Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley.

The importance of what occurred that summer evening had more to do with the effect it had on the relatively small number of attendees rather than what Johnny Rotten and crew performed on stage. The impression left on those who were in the audience would change music forever. Some of those present were Mark E Smith, Peter Hook, Steve Diggle, Paul Morley and Morrissey. 

Morrissey wrote a letter to the NME reviewing the gig. As well as comparing them to the New York Dolls he ended the letter with “I’d love to see the Pistols make it. Maybe then they will be able to afford some clothes which don’t look like they’ve been slept in”.

The Pistols returned to Manchester six weeks later and played the same venue, Morrissey attended this gig as well. Johnny Marr was too young at the time however he did meet up with his friend Billy Duffy after the second Pistols gig, he could see that he had been blown away by what he’d witnessed.

Eight years later The Smiths would play the Free Trade Hall themselves. They first appeared here on the 13th of March 1984 as part of the tour to promote their debut album. They were joined on stage by Sandie Shaw who sang ‘I Don’t Owe You Anything’. Prior to this boisterous gig Morrissey and Sandie Shaw were collected from Piccadilly Station by Simon Wolstencroft in his Triumph. Apparently Morrissey was impressed with its wood trim. There are some photos of the gig here . It was at this gig that photographer Stephen Wright took his first shots of The Smiths, one of which was of flowers flowing from Morrissey's jeans pocket. Other gigs followed and in 1985 Rough Trade asked him to shoot a session for 'The Queen is Dead' album. More of which later when we reach Salford Lads Club.

On the 30th of October 1986 The Smiths concluded their ‘Queen is Dead’ tour at the Free Trade Hall. This would prove to be the last live appearance for second guitarist Craig Gannon and the group's penultimate gig. If you listen carefully you'll hear Johnny play a slowed down riff from 'The Headmaster Ritual' as part of the intro to 'Meat is Murder'.