"The music Mecca of Macclesfield has been realised".

That’s how Ross Massey, bassist for Macc band Rough Twist, described the weekend’s Un-convention Factory – a grass roots music event held to commemorate the death of Ian Curtis, who died 30 years ago on May 18.

The Heritage Centre was transformed into a record-making factory and creative space for one day.

An eclectic mix of bands, fans, artists and eccentrics descended to record, design and release a re-make of Iggy Pop’s classic album ‘The Idiot’.

Big name groups like I Am Kloot, Reverend Soundsystem and The Whip mingled with local bands The Virgin Marys and Rough Twist, who rubbed shoulders with experts like New Order’s Peter Hook and Black Grape sleeve designer Matt Carroll.

The centre’s old Sunday school became a hive of industry as eight bands recorded a track each before performing a free gig.

And then there were the expert panel discussions and live web and Twitter feeds so people from around the globe could take part in the creative process.

The unanimous verdict was that Macclesfield’s place on the world’s music map had been confirmed.

Manchester three-piece ‘I am Kloot’ took part throughhout the day and recorded a track for the album.

Backstage, lead singer Johnny Bramwell he told the Express: "This has been a brilliant day. I’m a huge Ian Curtis fan and this has been about musicians coming together and being genuinely helpful, giving advice, making grass roots music. There should definitely be more events like this here in Macclesfield."

Reverend Soundsystem – an electronic group put together by John McClure of Reverend and the Makers – played Sister Midnight on the album.

Marcus Smith, 27, aka ‘Maticmouth’, Reverend Soundsystem’s DJ and ‘hype man’, was blown away.

"It was weird because I had only really just learnt about Ian Curtis when this event came up, and now I’m definitely a fan.  For eight bands to put together eight tracks from such an influential album is magical in itself.  And for it to happen in a small town like Macclesfield is amazing. This just wouldn’t have been the same if it had happened in a big city like Manchester or Sheffield.  This proves that there is definitely a place for events like this, that small towns have an audience for good music, that they want to celebrate it. For so many industry experts to be here as well, and for there to be such good panel discussions. Wow."

For local bands, such an event right on the doorstep was a revelation.

Ross Massey, 33, of Rough Twist, told the Express: "The music mecca of Macclesfield really has been realised today.  It was a brilliant day from start to finish, I got there at 8.30am and was there until 11pm and there was not one boring moment.'

Ross, who lives on Chester Road, added: "There were so many cool people, industry experts, all there to help up-and-coming bands. It was seriously amazing – and another cool thing was that the police drove past about 30 times and didn’t have to stop once, the atmosphere was just so good, people just wanted to learn and enjoy.  The Heritage Centre should definitely become a regular music venue – we could get big names here and give local bands a chance to support them. Everyone I spoke to agreed – and none of us could believe this hadn’t been used as a big venue before."

The Virgin Marys’ Ally Dickaty added: "It’s been great to see so much support for this, to work alongside so many great musicians, and just to have something like this in Macc. This should definitely happen again."

Ruth Daniel, organiser of the event, sponsored by Converse, said the event was about embodying the spirit of Factory Records and celebrating the lives of Tony Wilson and Ian Curtis.

She added afterwards: "We successfully recorded, produced and released the album, having interesting discussion, workshops and art projects along the way. This idea, born in Macclesfield will now be exported around the world, visiting India, brazil and the Netherlands."

To get hold of the album, which will be available from Friday go to:  musicglue.com/uncovention