18th February 2025
David Bennett, BDC's Photography Leader, has published his own photobook, based on a mysterious gig by the legendary band Joy Division.
On 30 March 1979, Joy Division performed the first of their two concerts at the Walthamstow Youth Centre in East London. Just two days later, they would begin recording their iconic debut album, Unknown Pleasures. Unfortunately, due to a misprint in Melody Maker, only about 20-30 people attended the gig, the majority being youngsters from the youth centre.
Explaining why this story intrigued him, David says: “I was living in Walthamstow for many years before I found out that the building around the corner to me (Walthamstow Youth Centre) was where Joy Division once played but where there is no physical evidence of its existence apart from a few references to it online here and there. I discovered that the gig listing was misspelt as Joy Davidson, hence not many coming to see the band perform. My images are my response to an event which has remained a mystery to this day.”
As part of his research for the book, David met with the original event organiser and with the support band SX. He even managed to trace some of the audience that did attend the gig! The book includes images of the only remnants of the original building which was demolished to be replaced with a housing block, as well as images such as those of the neighbouring streets that Joy Division may have walked down.
David’s interest in photography began as a child. He always had a camera on him and was the one in the family taking pictures growing up. As he got older, he started going to gigs himself and photographing them. During that time, he met a photographer who said he could study photography at college - something he hadn’t been aware of but decided to do. At just 19 years old and as a college student his body of portraits of artists and writers were purchased by The National Portrait Gallery for their permanent collection.
After studying, David worked as a printer for the music and portrait photographer Jill Furmanovsky, known for her work with the band OASIS, whom he worked with her on. As a result of his degree show at The Mall Galleries, David was given his first commission from ELLE magazine to photograph Daniel Craig at his London home. As well as continuing his career in photography, David also founded PpR Editions which publishes small-editioned books on contemporary culture, fashion and dress and publishes PpR Journal, the magazine of contemporary culture, fashion, and dress. David does all this alongside his academic role at Barking & Dagenham College, where he is the Programme Leader for Photography.
This new 65-page photobook, entitled ‘Joy Davidson’ is strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide and can be bought at www.ppreditions.com and through selected bookstores.
