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The Stone Roses have sold out the first two Manchester shows announced at this week’s press conference, which heralded their reformation. I am not surprised – neither by the ticket sales or the band’s reconciliation.

There’s a notion that certain bands will never regroup (The Jam, The Smiths, the proper Guns and Roses) and The Stone Roses were on that list. But I don’t buy it. Unfortunately this isn’t thanks to my unwavering belief in the strength of friendships forged in creativity, it’s just a conclusion born of experience. The fact is, when the circumstances are right, a handful of people who used to sell records will gladly grit their teeth and take to a few of the world’s stages. Those circumstances are usually a string of failing solo careers, the odd sizeable tax bill and a few promoters with big cheque books. Whatever the band might claim, the burning desire to recapture that old magic almost never enters the equation.

Again!

The first time I saw New Order was at Derby’s Blue Note club, shortly after the release of Ceremony. At best, it was a muted affair. The band climbed on stage directly from the bar, it was far from a full house and Peter Hook sat on a chair throughout the performance. However, the gig was notable for its ending. Despite a hardcore fan base, whooping and bellowing enthusiastically, Barney’s mic and Hooky’s chair remained unoccupied. Eventually the house lights came up and we dispersed. There had been no encore - the first time I’d experienced this omission at a gig.

Steve Jobs

Thursday morning, a bouquet and an apple with a missing bite were placed outside the Apple store on Regent Street. It was the first of many tributes to Steve Jobs, who has died aged 56.

With Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne and Mike Markkula, Jobs founded Apple Inc. in 1976. Long before pads, pods and phones, they had a mission to develop the first practical and affordable personal computers. That so many people read of Jobs’ death on devices he conceived is testament to their success.

The Man Who Fell To Earth

Some things are hard to admit. Pilfering cigarettes from your Mum’s dinner party would be one. Using the same train ticket for six weeks would be another. But admitting David Bowie hasn’t been much cop for about 25 years – well, that takes real emotional courage.