The Fall return to Clitheroe

The town’s Clitheroe Castle was once the scene of an iconic show by the Mancunian band in 1986.

But tonight, they open their new British tour at the Grand Theatre in the town, 27 years on from that show.

The band, who are on the brink of releasing their amazing 30th studio album, visited the town to headline the show at Clitheroe Castle, which was recorded live for broadcast on Radio Lancashire’s On The Wire show.

Their iconic frontman Mark E Smith, the only remaining original member in a constantly changing line-up (often due to his own whims), recalled the Clitheroe show in an interview in last week’s Evening Post.

But his impressions were less than glamorous.

He said: “We played in an old, green bandstand with a creaking floor and a guy called Steve Barker put it out live on Radio Lancashire.

“I drove the van with all the gear in and we got lost near Sabden.”

But he said he liked the town, where one current member of the band, Dave Spurr, lives, while another, drummer Keiron Melling, has a cottage in nearby Colne.

A Clitheroe Grand spokesman said: “Some things get better with age, and few can call into question the creative and innovative contribution that Mark E Smith has made to alternative rock music over more than three decades.”

A handful of tickets – less than 30 at the time of going to press – remain for this show, at £20 in advance on 01200 421599. Doors open at 7pm.