Versus Cancer
Encyclopedia
Versus Cancer is an annual concert
, reportedly now the largest annual charity concert in the United Kingdom
. It raises money predominantly for Cancer Hospital Christie Hospital
in Manchester
to assist research for effective alternative treatments but acts more as a blanket charity aiming to help fund hospitals or organisations that may require assistance.
In 2005 Manchester Versus Cancer was founded by Andy Rourke
(bass player from The Smiths), Nova Rehman his ex-manager, Tom Smetham a former ITV Granada Television producer and Stephen Chapman a former ITV News journalist. It is now known as Versus Cancer.
In 2007 shortly after the concert, Tom and Stephen left Versus Cancer to pursue other projects.
Nova, in a departure from his long time work in the music industry is currently working on building a new Sky TV channel, working with green investment funds and bizarrely, creating bespoke insurance products for the energy industry.
With most of the original staff having moved on to other projects it is unsure as to whether Versus Cancer will regain its original momentum.
The death of Nina and Sheikh Abdur (Nova's father) from cancer has also had its own effect.
It has been reported that the Charity will take two years off from live work whilst working on a new formula for fundraising and execution of new joint venture projects aimed at prevention of cancer through various media..
In 2009 Andy Rourke quit his band project with Mani and Peter Hook called Freebass and moved to New York. Tom Smetham now lives in Los Angeles as a producer and Stephen Chapman developed new regional projects working with large NW based companies.
At a Great Northern Productions meeting in a local Manchester pub, the decision was finalised to put on a small charity gig to raise some money for Christie Hospital
who was treating Nina. Badly Drawn Boy
agreed to play and the concept of a small local gig was created. It should be noted that the cost of the concert was borne by Nova and then repaid after the show. All of the subsequent Versus Cancer events shared this as a theme to a greater or lesser degree. Without this financial support, Versus Cancer would never have been able to launch. The first show cost on excess of £157,000, the second over £250,000.
As more bands signed up, the small gig was put to the side and a large scale concert was formulated. The Manchester Evening News Arena
was the biggest venue available and one which could raise the most money. The Manchester Evening News Arena
is widely known as a boxing venue where posters advertising fights would illustrate a bout between two fighters with a "Vs". The artists being from Manchester and the enemy being Cancer, the name Manchester Vs Cancer" was born. Great Northern Productions was then split into the charity Great Northern Aid Trust and GNA Trading Ltd, the company who's function was to put the concert on.
and Nova Rehman became the directors of the charity Great Northern Aid Trust and working with colleagues Tom and Stephen at GNA Trading Ltd began to get bands together using Andy’s little black book of contacts.
Nova called Peter Hook (as Nova used to manage Monaco)..who advised that he write a letter to be read out at the next New Order rehearsals.
New Order became the first band to confirm the show..swiftly followed by Johnny Marr and then Doves.
on his annual In The City (festival)
music convention and agreed the free use of his office and all facilities due to the worthiness of the cause. Once the arena was booked, GNA Trading Ltd pulled in favours from across the spectrum of the TV and Music industry in order to organise and film the event event.
Tom and Stephen left GNA Trading Ltd in late 2007 to head to where they became producers of The Tube (Radio Series)
for UK1 Productions and broadcast on Channel 4 Radio. They still produce the televisual element of the show today. Katharine Mainprize and James Ward took on the role of GNA Trading Ltd directors. Joel Perry of Mondiale Publishing became more involved with the organisation following the first concert and worked closely on elements of the second show with Dave Lawrence, the production manager.
He negotiated the official blessing of then Prime Minister
Tony Blair
(who wrote an introduction to the official programme opposite Tony Wilson
).
David Cameron
and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Nick Clegg
. Other patrons include Peter Hook, Danny Macnamara, Menzies Campbell, Gordon Brown, Rob Hallett VP AEG Live and Barry Dickens ITB.
in Manchester
UK althopugh plans have been mooted by Rob Hallett to allow the use of the O2 arena
were announced. T-Shirts and programmes were designed and printed plus two of the guitars signed by the bands were signed by Noel Gallagher
and Liam Gallagher
as they could not make the event.
Mick Rock
was brought on board as the official photographer. A world first took place at the concert, where the audience could donate towards the charity by texting a code shown on the big arena screen between bands to download Mick’s backstage photos seconds after they were taken.
History was made during the first year when Johnny Marr
took to the stage with Rourke for the first time in nineteen years with an acclaimed version of The Smiths
' classic "How Soon Is Now?
" Marr opened with The Smiths
' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
," much to the surprise and delight of the audience. Both Smiths classics featured Marr on vocals for the performance. Rourke dedicated "How Soon Is Now?" to Nina.
New Order's performance was purely a Joy Division
set and included the song "Twenty Four Hours," claiming its first live outing since the death of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis
. It was their last televised performance before their split in July 2007.
Notable collaborations included Doves performing "There Goes The Fear" with Marr and Guy Garvey
from Elbow. Doves also played R Dean Taylor's "There's a Ghost In My House" and "Vicious" by Lou Reed
, sung by Bernard Sumner
with Marr on guitar.
Badly Drawn Boy
began "Silent Sigh" with a verse and chorus of Madonna
's "Like a Virgin
" and later appeared a second time to perform with Doves.
808 State
appeared with MC Tunes
to perform "The Only Rhyme That Bites".
The finale delivered the most unique collection of Manchester legends ever performing together on one stage. A rendition of the Happy Mondays
anthem "Wrote For Luck" was performed by Shaun Ryder
, Bez, Doves, Bernard Summer, Peter Hook
, Marr, Rourke, Wags and Badly Drawn Boy.
Artists
Domino Bones, 808 State
, Elbow
, Stephen Fretwell
, Nine Black Alps
, Badly Drawn Boy
, Johnny Marr
and The Healers, Doves, New Order
(as Joy Division
), Finale
DJs
Mani
, Graeme Park
, Utah Saints
, DJ Tintin
was announced as headline, the arena was a sell-out. Official photographer this time was Kevin Cummins (photographer)
. The Charlatans were on the bill as was Ian Brown.
Collaborations on the night included Paul Weller with The Charlatans playing "Town Called Malice
", "Can't Get Out Of Bed" and the John Lennon
classic "Power to the People
". Weller also appeared towards the end of the night with Noel Gallagher
to perform "The Butterfly Collector" and Noel (whose semi-acoustic set involved a large string section) performed The Smiths' "There is a Light that Never Goes Out".
There was a rare outing for David McAlmont
and Bernard Butler who played Butler's biggest hit, "Yes", and The Smiths' "Still Ill".
Echo & the Bunnymen
were joined onstage by Peter Hook for New Order's "Ceremony".
Ian Brown
who had performed earlier returned to the stage for the finale with Mani
and Rourke where they promptly tore the house down with The Stone Roses
anthem "I am the Resurrection" .
The final line up
Artists
The Scratch, Hippy Mafia, McAlmont & Butler, Echo & the Bunnymen
, The Charlatans (+ Paul Weller), Ian Brown
, Noel Gallagher
(+Paul Weller), Finale.
DJ's
Andy and Jez Williams (Doves), Mani
, DJ Tintin
, The Enemy
, The View
, Athlete
and The Fratellis
all made an appearance.
Already 2007 had been clouded by the shockingly fast demise of Tony Wilson
who died only months after contracting kidney cancer. During the finale of the third concert, an image of Tony appeared on the screens to cheers from the crowd. Tom Smetham and Stephen Chapman filmed the concert through UK 1 Productions with former Top of The Pops producer Chris Cowey as director.
The finale was Rourke bringing Badly Drawn Boy
, Peter Hook
, Aziz Ibrahim
, David Potts
from Monaco, Denise Johnson and drummer Steve White up to perform The Smiths' "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
", Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart
" and John Lennon's "Instant Karma!
", which was aptly chosen for the occasion.
The final line up
Artists
The Sticks
, The Farm
, Inspiral Carpets
, Athlete
, The View
, Fun Lovin Criminals, Happy Mondays
, The Fratellis
, The Enemy
, Finale
The decision to still hold the event was apparently not an easy one although Snow Patrol
, Happy Mondays, Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Larry Gott from James
, The Twang
, Kid British
, Peter Hook with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Joe Duddell who composed the Elbow
concert with the Halle Orchestra and Youth choir for the Manchester International Festival performed exciting sets.
The Twang
, Kid British
Speculation of a DVD has been in the pipeline for years but no material being shown to date.
A 2008 concert took place in Scotland on Friday 28 November 2008. It was originally due to take place at the Glasgow SECC, but unfortunately the concert was moved to the Glasgow Academy because Echo & the Bunnymen
and Alphabeat
were both scheduled to play but had to pull out, for family illness and scheduling difficulties, respectively. Nova's father also lost his battle against bowel cancer days before this concert. He passed away at home surrounded by his family. Remarkably and true to his commitment, Nova carried on working on the show and only took time out to organise the burial of his Father in keeping with Islamic tradition.
The final line up
Artists
Attic, Sergeant, Alfonso, The Fratellis
, and Travis
After the 2008 show, a party was held at Moho Live, in Manchester, where Danny McNamara
of Embrace held an event featuring Dodgy
, Boy Kill Boy
, Example
and The Paddingtons
, and a competition was held via the official Myspace looking for an unsigned band to play.
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
, reportedly now the largest annual charity concert in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It raises money predominantly for Cancer Hospital Christie Hospital
Christie Hospital
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is located in Withington, Manchester, and is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. The Christie became a NHS Foundation Trust in April 2007 and is also an international leader in cancer research and development, and home to the Paterson Institute...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
to assist research for effective alternative treatments but acts more as a blanket charity aiming to help fund hospitals or organisations that may require assistance.
In 2005 Manchester Versus Cancer was founded by Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke is a bass guitarist best known for being a former member of The Smiths.-Career:...
(bass player from The Smiths), Nova Rehman his ex-manager, Tom Smetham a former ITV Granada Television producer and Stephen Chapman a former ITV News journalist. It is now known as Versus Cancer.
In 2007 shortly after the concert, Tom and Stephen left Versus Cancer to pursue other projects.
Nova, in a departure from his long time work in the music industry is currently working on building a new Sky TV channel, working with green investment funds and bizarrely, creating bespoke insurance products for the energy industry.
With most of the original staff having moved on to other projects it is unsure as to whether Versus Cancer will regain its original momentum.
The death of Nina and Sheikh Abdur (Nova's father) from cancer has also had its own effect.
It has been reported that the Charity will take two years off from live work whilst working on a new formula for fundraising and execution of new joint venture projects aimed at prevention of cancer through various media..
In 2009 Andy Rourke quit his band project with Mani and Peter Hook called Freebass and moved to New York. Tom Smetham now lives in Los Angeles as a producer and Stephen Chapman developed new regional projects working with large NW based companies.
Great Northern Productions
Versus Cancer began as Great Northern Productions Ltd. Originally formed by Andy, Tom, Stephen and Nova, Great Northern Productions was a production company created to film music and documentaries. Great Northern Productions was preparing to create an alternative musical buzz in the city when tragically Novas sister Nina was diagnosed with cancer.At a Great Northern Productions meeting in a local Manchester pub, the decision was finalised to put on a small charity gig to raise some money for Christie Hospital
Christie Hospital
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is located in Withington, Manchester, and is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. The Christie became a NHS Foundation Trust in April 2007 and is also an international leader in cancer research and development, and home to the Paterson Institute...
who was treating Nina. Badly Drawn Boy
Badly Drawn Boy
Damon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
agreed to play and the concept of a small local gig was created. It should be noted that the cost of the concert was borne by Nova and then repaid after the show. All of the subsequent Versus Cancer events shared this as a theme to a greater or lesser degree. Without this financial support, Versus Cancer would never have been able to launch. The first show cost on excess of £157,000, the second over £250,000.
As more bands signed up, the small gig was put to the side and a large scale concert was formulated. The Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
was the biggest venue available and one which could raise the most money. The Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
is widely known as a boxing venue where posters advertising fights would illustrate a bout between two fighters with a "Vs". The artists being from Manchester and the enemy being Cancer, the name Manchester Vs Cancer" was born. Great Northern Productions was then split into the charity Great Northern Aid Trust and GNA Trading Ltd, the company who's function was to put the concert on.
Great Northern Aid Trust/Versus Cancer
Andy RourkeAndy Rourke
Andy Rourke is a bass guitarist best known for being a former member of The Smiths.-Career:...
and Nova Rehman became the directors of the charity Great Northern Aid Trust and working with colleagues Tom and Stephen at GNA Trading Ltd began to get bands together using Andy’s little black book of contacts.
Nova called Peter Hook (as Nova used to manage Monaco)..who advised that he write a letter to be read out at the next New Order rehearsals.
New Order became the first band to confirm the show..swiftly followed by Johnny Marr and then Doves.
GNA Trading Ltd
Tom Smetham and Stephen Chapman became the directors of GNA Trading Ltd. Tom was working with his friend Tony WilsonTony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
on his annual In The City (festival)
In The City (festival)
In The City is an annual music industry conference and festival founded by the late Tony Wilson, formerly of Factory Records and Granada Television, and his partner Yvette Livesey....
music convention and agreed the free use of his office and all facilities due to the worthiness of the cause. Once the arena was booked, GNA Trading Ltd pulled in favours from across the spectrum of the TV and Music industry in order to organise and film the event event.
Tom and Stephen left GNA Trading Ltd in late 2007 to head to where they became producers of The Tube (Radio Series)
The Tube (radio series)
"The Tube " was resurrected in 2006 by Manchester based production company UK One Productions for Channel 4 Radio and produced by Tom Smetham and Stephen Chapman, founders of GNA Trading, the company behind Versus Cancer. It ran monthly from October 2006 to March 2007 always broadcasting on the 1st...
for UK1 Productions and broadcast on Channel 4 Radio. They still produce the televisual element of the show today. Katharine Mainprize and James Ward took on the role of GNA Trading Ltd directors. Joel Perry of Mondiale Publishing became more involved with the organisation following the first concert and worked closely on elements of the second show with Dave Lawrence, the production manager.
He negotiated the official blessing of then Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
(who wrote an introduction to the official programme opposite Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
).
Projects and campaigns
The money raised by Versus Cancer has gone towards raising funds for several different projects. Every year there is an awareness campaign aimed at young people to encourage them to check for lumps on breast and testicles. In 2008 a "check your moles" advert appeared with other billboard ads which feature in the weeks coming up to the event.Patrons
Patrons of the charity include all three the leaders of the main political parties in the UK. Prime MInisterPrime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a senior member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not a permanent position, existing only at the discretion of the Prime Minister, who may appoint to other offices...
Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister...
. Other patrons include Peter Hook, Danny Macnamara, Menzies Campbell, Gordon Brown, Rob Hallett VP AEG Live and Barry Dickens ITB.
Mick Rock Exhibition 9 February 2006
Manchester Vs Cancer exhibited the full gallery of the prints taken by Mick Rock on the evening of the 2006 concert at Vox Pop record shop on Thomas Street in Manchester (now called Cup) and was very much driven by Tom Smetham. The prints along with the guitars and amp signed by all the artists on the night were all auctioned to raise money for the charity at a gala dinner in 2008 based at the MEN arena.The event
The main concert takes place at the Manchester Evening News ArenaManchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
UK althopugh plans have been mooted by Rob Hallett to allow the use of the O2 arena
First concert 28 January 2006
Shortly after the new year, New OrderNew Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
were announced. T-Shirts and programmes were designed and printed plus two of the guitars signed by the bands were signed by Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
and Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
William John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, the former frontman of the English rock band Oasis and currently of the band Beady Eye. Gallagher's erratic behaviour, distinctive singing style, and abrasive attitude have been the subject of commentary in the press...
as they could not make the event.
Mick Rock
Mick Rock
Mick Rock is a British photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie...
was brought on board as the official photographer. A world first took place at the concert, where the audience could donate towards the charity by texting a code shown on the big arena screen between bands to download Mick’s backstage photos seconds after they were taken.
History was made during the first year when Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
took to the stage with Rourke for the first time in nineteen years with an acclaimed version of The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' classic "How Soon Is Now?
How Soon Is Now?
"How Soon Is Now?" is a song by the British alternative rock band The Smiths. Written by Smiths singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, it was originally a B-side of the 1984 single "William, It Was Really Nothing"...
" Marr opened with The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a song by the British alternative rock group The Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was originally featured on their third album The Queen Is Dead , and was released as a single in 1992, five years after The Smiths split up...
," much to the surprise and delight of the audience. Both Smiths classics featured Marr on vocals for the performance. Rourke dedicated "How Soon Is Now?" to Nina.
New Order's performance was purely a Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
set and included the song "Twenty Four Hours," claiming its first live outing since the death of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis
Ian Curtis
Ian Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
. It was their last televised performance before their split in July 2007.
Notable collaborations included Doves performing "There Goes The Fear" with Marr and Guy Garvey
Guy Garvey
Guy Edward John Patrick Garvey , is the singer/guitarist in the band Elbow, as well as a presenter for BBC 6 Music and A&R manager of Skinny Dog Records...
from Elbow. Doves also played R Dean Taylor's "There's a Ghost In My House" and "Vicious" by Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, sung by Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
with Marr on guitar.
Badly Drawn Boy
Badly Drawn Boy
Damon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
began "Silent Sigh" with a verse and chorus of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's "Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on November 12, 1984 by Sire Records. It was re-released worldwide in 1985, with the inclusion of the bonus track "Into the Groove". In 2001, Warner Bros. Records released a remastered version with two bonus...
" and later appeared a second time to perform with Doves.
808 State
808 State
808 State are a British electronic music outfit, formed in 1987 in Manchester, taking their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and their common state of mind...
appeared with MC Tunes
MC Tunes
MC Tunes is a British rapper from the suburb of Moss Side in Manchester. His name was legally changed to Lockett in 1981. Tunes was one of the big promoters of the Madchester-era during the 1980s and 1990s.-808 State:Tunes first worked with 808 State on the 1990 album, The North At Its Heights...
to perform "The Only Rhyme That Bites".
The finale delivered the most unique collection of Manchester legends ever performing together on one stage. A rendition of the Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
anthem "Wrote For Luck" was performed by Shaun Ryder
Shaun Ryder
Shaun William Ryder, aka X, is an English musician, occasional newspaper columnist, actor, author, singer-songwriter and television personality, best known as lead singer for Happy Mondays and Black Grape – and more recently as the runner-up of the 2010 version of the British TV Show I'm a...
, Bez, Doves, Bernard Summer, Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Marr, Rourke, Wags and Badly Drawn Boy.
Artists
Domino Bones, 808 State
808 State
808 State are a British electronic music outfit, formed in 1987 in Manchester, taking their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and their common state of mind...
, Elbow
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
, Stephen Fretwell
Stephen Fretwell
Stephen Fretwell is an English singer-songwriter.-Biography:Fretwell attended St. Augustine Webster Primary School in Scunthorpe and St. Bede's Catholic School in Ashby before furthering his study at John Leggott College...
, Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester, named after a line in The Couriers by Sylvia Plath and fronted by Sam Forrest.-Career:...
, Badly Drawn Boy
Badly Drawn Boy
Damon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
, Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
and The Healers, Doves, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
(as Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
), Finale
DJs
Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
, Graeme Park
Graeme Park
Graeme Park is an historic site in Horsham, Montgomery County. It is owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and operated by the non-profit group, The Friends of Graeme Park. It is the only surviving residence of a colonial-era Pennsylvania governor...
, Utah Saints
Utah Saints
Utah Saints is a dance band based in Leeds, England. The music is produced by Jez Willis and Tim Garbutt, who are joined on-stage by other musicians whenever the band plays live...
, DJ Tintin
Second concert 30 March 2007
The second concert built on the success of the first with another large Manchester bill. Manchester Vs Cancer had been re-named Versus Cancer by Truth Design Consultants to open it up to a wider audience and increase global appeal. Noel GallagherNoel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
was announced as headline, the arena was a sell-out. Official photographer this time was Kevin Cummins (photographer)
Kevin Cummins (photographer)
Kevin Cummins is a British photographer, perhaps most famous for his photographs of rock bands and musicians. He has photographed a large number of legendary musicians throughout his career, including Mick Jagger, Ian Curtis, Morrissey, Courtney Love, Patti Smith, and David Bowie.- Career :Cummins...
. The Charlatans were on the bill as was Ian Brown.
Collaborations on the night included Paul Weller with The Charlatans playing "Town Called Malice
Town Called Malice
"Town Called Malice" is a song recorded by The Jam from the album The Gift. It reached number one in the UK singles chart.-Song profile:It was a double A-side single release featuring "Precious" as the flip side...
", "Can't Get Out Of Bed" and the John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
classic "Power to the People
Power to the People (song)
"Power to the People" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971 by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple R5892 in the United Kingdom and Apple 1830 in the United States. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the British singles chart...
". Weller also appeared towards the end of the night with Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
to perform "The Butterfly Collector" and Noel (whose semi-acoustic set involved a large string section) performed The Smiths' "There is a Light that Never Goes Out".
There was a rare outing for David McAlmont
David McAlmont
David McAlmont is a British vocalist and songwriter.-Early years and Thieves:...
and Bernard Butler who played Butler's biggest hit, "Yes", and The Smiths' "Still Ill".
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
were joined onstage by Peter Hook for New Order's "Ceremony".
Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
who had performed earlier returned to the stage for the finale with Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
and Rourke where they promptly tore the house down with The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
anthem "I am the Resurrection" .
The final line up
Artists
The Scratch, Hippy Mafia, McAlmont & Butler, Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, The Charlatans (+ Paul Weller), Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
, Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
(+Paul Weller), Finale.
DJ's
Andy and Jez Williams (Doves), Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
, DJ Tintin
Third concert 23 February 2008
Whereas the previous years had been predominantly Manchester orientated artists, the third year of Versus Cancer enlisted the influence of a younger musical generation. The SticksThe Sticks
The Sticks are a five-piece band from Manchester, England, comprising Tom Rush , his sister, Poppy Rush , James Moores , The band originally had Andy Lavery on lead guitar; however, Andy has taken a leave of absence due to family commitments.The sticks were formed in October 2007 and performed...
, The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
, The View
The View (band)
The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop, folk, and acoustic in their music....
, Athlete
Athlete (band)
Athlete are a British rock band formed in Deptford, London, comprising Joel Pott , Carey Willetts , Stephen Roberts and Tim Wanstall...
and The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
all made an appearance.
Already 2007 had been clouded by the shockingly fast demise of Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
who died only months after contracting kidney cancer. During the finale of the third concert, an image of Tony appeared on the screens to cheers from the crowd. Tom Smetham and Stephen Chapman filmed the concert through UK 1 Productions with former Top of The Pops producer Chris Cowey as director.
The finale was Rourke bringing Badly Drawn Boy
Badly Drawn Boy
Damon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
, Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Aziz Ibrahim
Aziz Ibrahim
Aziz Ibrahim is a British musician. He was born in Longsight, Manchester to Pakistani parents. He is best known for his work as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in whose support band he regularly performs – both in the studio and live...
, David Potts
David Potts
David Potts , known to bandmates and fans as "Pottsy", is the ex-frontman of Monaco.-Career:...
from Monaco, Denise Johnson and drummer Steve White up to perform The Smiths' "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
The Dream Academy covered "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" in 1984. This version peaked at #83 in the UK Singles Chart. The instrumental version of the song is the better known cover version, since it was used in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off along with an other Dream Academy...
", Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart
Love Will Tear Us Apart
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
" and John Lennon's "Instant Karma!
Instant Karma!
"Instant Karma!" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1970 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1003 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1818 in the United States. It is the third solo single issued by Lennon, and it peaked at #3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 singles...
", which was aptly chosen for the occasion.
The final line up
Artists
The Sticks
The Sticks
The Sticks are a five-piece band from Manchester, England, comprising Tom Rush , his sister, Poppy Rush , James Moores , The band originally had Andy Lavery on lead guitar; however, Andy has taken a leave of absence due to family commitments.The sticks were formed in October 2007 and performed...
, The Farm
The Farm (band)
The Farm were a British band from Liverpool, popular through the early 1990s. Their album Spartacus reached the top position on the UK Albums Chart when it was released in March, 1991.-History:They formed in early 1983....
, Inspiral Carpets
Inspiral Carpets
Inspiral Carpets are an alternative rock band from Oldham in Greater Manchester, England formed by Graham Lambert and Stephen Holt in 1983. The band is named after a clothing shop on their Oldham estate...
, Athlete
Athlete (band)
Athlete are a British rock band formed in Deptford, London, comprising Joel Pott , Carey Willetts , Stephen Roberts and Tim Wanstall...
, The View
The View (band)
The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop, folk, and acoustic in their music....
, Fun Lovin Criminals, Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
, The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
, The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
, Finale
Fourth Concert 12 December 2009
Playing to a smaller crowd than expected due to lower ticket sales perhaps due in part to Snow Patrol performing two last minute shows in Manchester three weeks prior to the event and withholding permission to use the bands name for promotional purposes, until their own shows had been completed.The decision to still hold the event was apparently not an easy one although Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, Happy Mondays, Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Larry Gott from James
James (band)
James are a British rock band from Manchester, England. They formed in 1982 and were active throughout the 1980s, but most successful during the 1990s. Their hit singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", and "She's a Star" as well as their American College Radio hit "Laid"...
, The Twang
The Twang
The Twang are an indie rock band from Birmingham, England, formed in 2001. The band have released two studio albums - Love It When I Feel Like This and Jewellery Quarter...
, Kid British
Kid British
Kid British, often stylised as KiD BRiTiSH, are a British band from Manchester, United Kingdom. The band is composed of Adio Marchant, James Mayer, Sean Mbaya, Simeon McLean, Dominick Allen, Mykey Wilson and Matt Herod.-History:...
, Peter Hook with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Joe Duddell who composed the Elbow
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
concert with the Halle Orchestra and Youth choir for the Manchester International Festival performed exciting sets.
The Twang
The Twang
The Twang are an indie rock band from Birmingham, England, formed in 2001. The band have released two studio albums - Love It When I Feel Like This and Jewellery Quarter...
, Kid British
Kid British
Kid British, often stylised as KiD BRiTiSH, are a British band from Manchester, United Kingdom. The band is composed of Adio Marchant, James Mayer, Sean Mbaya, Simeon McLean, Dominick Allen, Mykey Wilson and Matt Herod.-History:...
DVD
Despite most ofl the Versus Cancer concerts being filmed, only the Scottish show has been broadcast..Speculation of a DVD has been in the pipeline for years but no material being shown to date.
Other Versus Cancer concerts
"Thanks Pranks and Party Pants"..May the 23rd at the Ritz in Manchester. This was actually Nova's Birthday party with proceeds going to the Charity. Performers included Echo and the Bunnymen, The reformed Chameleonswith Aziz Ibrahim and Andy Rourke, Badly Drawn Boy, Frazer King and others.A 2008 concert took place in Scotland on Friday 28 November 2008. It was originally due to take place at the Glasgow SECC, but unfortunately the concert was moved to the Glasgow Academy because Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
and Alphabeat
Alphabeat
Alphabeat are a Danish pop band from Silkeborg, fronted by singers Stine Bramsen and Anders SG and signed to Polydor Records. Their single "Fascination" was a major hit in Denmark during the summer of 2007 and a significant hit in the United Kingdom in 2008...
were both scheduled to play but had to pull out, for family illness and scheduling difficulties, respectively. Nova's father also lost his battle against bowel cancer days before this concert. He passed away at home surrounded by his family. Remarkably and true to his commitment, Nova carried on working on the show and only took time out to organise the burial of his Father in keeping with Islamic tradition.
The final line up
Artists
Attic, Sergeant, Alfonso, The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
, and Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
DJ Parties
Versus Cancer have been prominent in DJ/House parties promoting the event. The night after the 2007 show, 2 clubs held sponsored DJ nights, with 808 State playing at club Po Na Na, Charles Street, Manchester; and DJ Lowrider playing at the Night & Day club, Oldham Street, Manchester.After the 2008 show, a party was held at Moho Live, in Manchester, where Danny McNamara
Danny McNamara
Danny McNamara is the lead singer of English band Embrace.-Early years:...
of Embrace held an event featuring Dodgy
Dodgy
Dodgy are an English power pop rock trio, that rose to prominence during the Britpop era of the 1990s, who are best known for their hits "Staying Out for the Summer", "If You're Thinking of Me", and "Good Enough"...
, Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy were an English rock band based in Leytonstone, East London. Perhaps Best known for their highest charting single "Suzie", the band produced two studio albums and six singles before splitting in 2008.- History :...
, Example
Example (rapper)
Elliot John Gleave , better known by his stage name Example, is an English singer and rapper signed to Data Records. His name arose due to his initials being E.G., which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia", which means, "for example".Example's third album Playing In The Shadows...
and The Paddingtons
The Paddingtons
The Paddingtons are an English indie rock band from Hull, known for their energetic concerts and loyal fanbase. In various interviews bassist Dobbs has said it is due to their willingness to play almost any venue...
, and a competition was held via the official Myspace looking for an unsigned band to play.