41. The Durutti Column - Vini Reilly (1989)

My favourite scene in Micheal Winterbottom’s ’24 Hour Party People’ is the rather touching moment between Tony Wilson/Steve Coogan and Vini Reilly/The Durutti Column that may or may not have actually happened. It is the early days of the ill fated Hacienda and Wilson is showcasing some of the talent signed to his recently created Factory label. Unfortunately, in the Manchester of the early 1980’s there is not much of an audience for talent and a crestfallen Reilly seeks consolation after a performance witnessed by a crowd who number less than the band themselves. Wilson, with that mixture of unquestioning belief and self-preservation that seemed to characterise him, puts his arm around Reilly and tells him something like ‘...none of this matters Vini, the crowd (or lack of it), the critics, the other bands. All that matters is that you make incredibly beautiful music.’ Of course it all mattered but that was not what Vini wanted to hear - nor was it what I wanted to hear either.