On Sept. 20, 1978, Joy Division made their television debut with a live performance of “Shadowplay” on Granada Reports, the nightly news program in Manchester. The appearance came during the show’s “What’s On” segment, giving the band its first real exposure on TV.
Frontman Ian Curtis had once infamously blasted Granada host Tony Wilson for not booking Joy Division on his earlier program So It Goes, which had featured the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Amused by Curtis’ bluntness, Wilson invited the group onto Granada Reports—an early step toward his deeper involvement with the band.
The broadcast introduced Joy Division with a brief exchange between hosts Bob Greaves and Tony Wilson, courtesy of Joy Division Central:
BOB GREAVES: “…called Joy Division, they were called Warsaw once, but Joy Division, I think, has a nicer ring to it and we hope that we’re launching them on a real joy ride as we have before with many others, haven’t we Tony, yes.”
TONY WILSON: “Seeing as how this is the programme which previously brought you first television appearances from everything from the Beatles to the Buzzcocks we do like to keep our hand in and keep you informed of the most interesting new sounds in the north west. This, Joy Division, is the most interesting new sound we’ve come across in the last six months.
They’re a Manchester band, with the exception of the guitarist who comes from Salford, very important difference, they’re called Joy Division, and this number is ‘Shadowplay.’”
JOY DIVISION perform “Shadowplay” live in the studio.
TONY WILSON: “‘Shadowplay’ by Joy Division, I’d say you’ll hear more of them but I’ve heard that line so often.”
The scene was later recreated in Anton Corbijn’s 2007 Ian Curtis biopic Control, though the performance was swapped to “Transmission.”
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