April 10, 2007 10:09

Tony Wilson unveils New York music conference line-up

In The City Of New York bash takes shape

Following treatment for kidney cancer, Tony Wilson has recently returned home and announced details of the In the City Of New York.

In The City Of New York will take place on June 13 and 14, with the daytime conference held at the W Union Square and the evening performances, the core of which will feature six new British bands, centred at the Nokia Theatre. Organisers are expecting approximately 500 attendees.

Enter Shikari have been confirmed as headliner for the second evening.

“I have not seen anything as exciting since the Sex Pistols. They are that good,” explained Wilson. “The idea of bringing the most exciting new band in the world to America is to me the most important thing I have done in my life for many years!”

Wilson has also announced two new panels - The End of DRM or Not? and Mociology - the sociology of the mobile phone.

Wilson, who recently went through trying rounds of immunotherapy, maintains “everything is Ok” regarding his health, and is focused on the immediate future.

He added: “The fact that I am out of bed and I am doing some work is very pleasant because my entire recovery strategy is based on me being able to walk onstage at Coachella at the end of next month and introduce my band Happy Mondays so I have to get better pretty quickly.”

However, well-wishers had better watch their step.

“I am getting a bit pissed off,” explained Wilson, “because in Manchester we’re a very tough town. Whenever I walk out on stage people boo me! I’m known to be a twat to everybody - this has not changed. In fact I became slightly more bad-tempered. The fact that everybody’s being nice to me is very disconcerting!”