51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

'There's more to life than books, you know. But not much more.' So sang Mancunian pop group The Smiths to a generation of teenagers 20 years ago, writes Caroline Davis. This week, Manchester Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ hosts the first conference devoted to the band, famed for its themes of misery.

The conference, titled Why Pamper Life's Complexities - a line from a classic Smiths track - will see delegates examine the significance of the city in the group's lyrics. The event is the brainchild of Sean Campbell, of Anglia Polytechnic 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ, who is researching second-generation Irish musicians in England