Five of the best ways to remember Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis

Listen to the silence — Former Joy Division member Peter Hook plays every song they ever made in a church in Macclesfield and we curate a list of ways to remember the frontman of one of the most influential bands of all time.

Thirty-five years ago today Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis hung himself in his family home in Macclesfield.

At the time of his death (aged just twenty-three), the band were on the brink of huge international success. They had released only one album, Unknown Pleasures, but were about to release another Closer and were a day away from an American tour, which would have likely seen them reach world fame (which of course they did posthumously as both Joy Division and the remaining members’ second band New Order).

To mark the 35th anniversary of Curtis’ death original member Peter Hook is playing all of Joy Division’s songs at a special benefit show in Christ Church, Macclesfield, tonight May 18. Talking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Hook said he originally thought the band had done 35 songs, and decided to do the show based on that, but later realised there are over 40.

The show will raise funds for The Epilepsy Society and you can buy a live version of it from Abbey Road. And if you’re not lucky enough to be there, here are some other ways to remember Ian Curtis on this 35th anniversary.

Control

Anton Corbijn‘s heartbreaking biopic shows Curtis and bandmates growing up in Macclesfield and focuses on Curtis’ struggles with his young wife Deborah and baby Natalie as well as his close relationship with journalist Annik Honoré. English actor Sam Riley puts in an amazing performance as Curtis, even singing the live scenes in the film.

Unknown Pleasures and Closer

The best way to remember Curtis is through his music. Curtis had seemed to his friends and bandmates, right up until his death, as stressed with his situation – his young family, hectic touring and difficult epilepsy – but not suicidal. He is remembered as laughing and joking a lot, and it was easy for those close to him to miss the signs. But listening to his lyrics retrospectively can be a harrowing experience. Speaking to the Guardian in 2007 drummer Stephen Morris said this: “This sounds awful but it was only after Ian died that we sat down and listened to the lyrics. You’d find yourself thinking, ‘Oh my God, I missed this one’. Because I’d look at Ian’s lyrics and think how clever he was putting himself in the position of someone else. I never believed he was writing about himself. Looking back, how could I have been so bleedin’ stupid? Of course, he was writing about himself. But I didn’t go in and grab him and ask, ‘What’s up?’ I have to live with that.”

Music Videos

Joy Division appeared on TV just once, in what is now a legendary live session, but there are a few more videos of live Joy Division performances on YouTube and the official videos for ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, featuring Curtis, and ‘Atmosphere’, made posthumously by Anton Corbijn who had shot photographs of the band previously, are a good extension of the band’s dark, post-punk aesthetic.

So This Is Permanence

This beautiful book of Curtis’ handwritten lyrics and pages from his journals is edited by the brilliant Jon Savage and Curtis’ widow Deborah. It’s an intensely personal insight into how Curtis thought and worked.

SoThisIsPermanence_Cover-680x450 SoThisIsPermanence_p26 SoThisIsPermanence_p194

24 Hour Party People

24 Hour Party People is a great, funny film that provides Manchester music scene context to the Joy Division story – from the Sex Pistols’ iconic Free Trade Hall gig to the bands that were formed in the aftermath and the advent of rave culture in the ’90s. It helps situate their unique sound in a world of jarring influences and reminds us of the fun and energy at the heart of their brief existence.


You might like

Two musicians performing on stage - one playing violin whilst standing on the other's back. Colourful backdrop with red and yellow patterns.
Saint Levant © Christian Hjorth
Music

In 2025, festivals have become defiantly political. Roskilde is one of the most powerful

A sea of people — Music and countercultural movements have a hand-in-hand relationship spanning decades. As authorities increasingly police traditional on-street protests, dancefloors and crowds are again becoming crucial spaces for solidarity, writes Ella Glossop, reporting from Denmark’s largest festival.

Written by: Ella Glossop

DJ performing at outdoor street event with crowd gathered around mixing desk, urban setting with buildings in background.
Music

DJ AG teases that he is working on a 2026 festival

AG Fest? — The open format DJ dropped a cryptic post on social media yesterday, along with a link to sign up to a mailing list.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Tattooed woman with long red hair screaming into microphone on stage, band members with instruments in background, coloured stage lights.
Music

In Birmingham’s punk underground, hardcore is queer

Punk Pride — In recent years, a defiantly political queercore scene has begun to emerge in the West Midlands, providing alternative spaces for the area’s LGBTQ+ youth. Stephanie Phillips speaks to those leading the charge.

Written by: Stephanie Phillips

Two men standing in courtyard surrounded by concrete residential buildings with white arched balconies and tall tower block behind.
Music

We took techno legend Chris Liberator to a virtual rave, here’s what went down

Stay acid forever — With VR experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats currently running at London's Barbican Centre, Simon Doherty brought the acid punk figurehead along to see what he thought, and reflect on the health of the rave scene today.

Written by: Simon Doherty

Shirtless male performer with long dark hair holds baseball bat aloft whilst singing into microphone, drummer visible in background.
Music

Bob Vylan top UK Hip Hop and R&B album chart one week after Glastonbury

The people said ‘Nah’ — Despite heavy criticism from politicians and media for leading chants of “death to the IDF”, as well as being dropped by their agent, the punk duo’s 2024 LP 'Humble As The Sun' has seen its purchases and streams spike.

Written by: Molly Baker

Three people wearing masks sit on brown car bonnet against pale blue sky. Left figure in black, centre in white with orange/white mask, right in red jacket.
Music

Kneecap now have 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners

Not the story — The number has tripled from 500,000 in January, and comes after months of criticism from media and politicians as the Irish rap trio have expressed support for Palestine.

Written by: Molly Baker

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...