A few weeks ago I decided to apply to take part in The Tony Wilson Experience, a “24-hour conversation” taking place in a big ten outside Urbis in memory of the Factory Records supremo, who passed away last August. In order to be part of it applicants had to submit something creative that they’d done. I submitted the video for ‘Another Penny’ and about a week ago received an email saying I was in!

I had no idea what would actually be taking place at the event. An email sent out a couple of days before the event listed a load of times with famous Manchester names, from Steve Coogan to Frank Sidebottom, next to them. What would these people be doing and how would the 200 people who successfully applied to be there be involved? That was far from clear.

So, it was with a sense of excitement that I arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Printworks in Manchester yesterday morning to sign in. Taking my name badge, I was just in time for the opening speeches from former Happy Mondays and Simply Red manager Elliot Rashman, leader of Manchester Council Sir Richard Leese and former Factory board member and graphic design god Peter Saville. Grabbing what looked like a free glass of orange juice (but was actually Bucks Fizz, apparently - I thought it tasted odd!) I consulted the list I’d been given. Everyone attending had been given a ‘Creative Connection’ - someone the organisers thought it’d be worth you meeting. Mine, one Laura Frame, was nowhere to be found so I chatted to the few familiar faces I recognised and waited for everyone to decamp to the big tent across the road.

Before the event I’d been frustrated that cameras and phones were to be banned. The advance email said these would have to be stored in a locker inside Urbis for the duration of your stay. In reality, while photography was strictly banned and phones had to be switched to Silent, no-one was searching us on entry.

Session One was a conversation between Peter Saville, Steve Coogan and Manchester International Festival curator Alex Poots. My fears were almost immediately confirmed - this appeared to be the same old faces giving the same old Wilson anecdotes while the 200-strong audience (us, ‘The Talent’) just sat and watched those on stage (’The Experienced’). There was, however, some insight. Steve Coogan, away from his characters and scripts, comes across as quite a shy guy. He made the point that using put-downs of friends and family as an expression of love is a uniquely Mancunian trait. I’m not sure if that’s true but it was clear from that point on that amid the nostalgic indulgence that Manchester has become a little too fond of over the last few years, there would also be some interesting debate.

Session Two featured radio stalwarts Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie chatting about nothing in particular for an hour. Although their conversation didn’t particularly go anywhere, their wit and chemistry made it highly enjoyable. After two hours in a tent listening to people talking I fancied a little interaction. The problem, it seemed, with The Tony Wilson Experience, was that it didn’t allow much interaction. Sure, people could offer questions from the audience but a bit more face-to-face contact with ‘The Experienced’ would have been appreciated.

Heading for my free lunch (Sausage & Mash) I was invited to do a quick interview for the BBC’s The Politics Show. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll post it up here ASAP (all three seconds that they apparently used).

Sadly, a little later I had to head off (a train to catch!). According to The Manchester Evening News‘ coverage of the event the debates got a little more heated later and things became a little more relaxed. It’s a shame I had to go so early but it was still a pleasure to be part of it. I found it quite inspiring, to be honest. Simply that fact that something like that could happen anywhere outside London is brilliant. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it’s events like The Tony Wilson Experience that attracted me to living in Manchester in the first place.

As for my ‘Creative Connection’, Laura Frame? Well I never did meet her at the event, although she has sent me a Myspace friend request this afternoon. You really should have a look at her website - her drawings are great!