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If anyone out there noticed an unusual sogginess in the midtown area this morning, we can explain. A little lingering dampness often tends to be the inevitable result of a thousand squealing hipsters simultaneously wetting themselves when New Order decides to play “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Yes, they played it, and it was awesome.
We have to say that we loved last night’s concert at Hammerstein, but bear in mind we’ve been rocking back and forth under our desks all week whispering “They’re coming, They’re Coming!” and therefore are far from objective. We’ve even forgiven them for once willingly using the lyrics "Here comes love/ It's like honey/ You can’t buy/ It with money." 'Nough Said.
The place was filled to capacity with a fairly diverse crowd, varying from 18 year old to 40 year old fans carrying confused offspring far younger than "Republic." It wasn’t quite as ridiculously great as last year’s Summerstage mix of black clad Yeah Yeah Yeah fans and elderly potato-waving Devo followers, but it was still a pretty good mix. More importantly, everyone was clearly very excited and not afraid to show it.
The band also more than matched the audience for energy, which is pretty damn good for a band currently marking the 25th anniversary of the end of its first incarnation as Joy Division. They also managed to strike a good balance in their playlist between songs off their newest CD (which we’re a little "meh" on ourselves) and the older classics the audience was pushing to hear.
In the end they played probably about 3 or 4 of their newest songs, including “Jetstream” which guest starred the insanely fierce Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters, as well as our favorites “Regret,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “True Faith,” and “Temptation” which even came with green, blue, and grey lights to match the lyrics.
They also performed a few more Joy Division songs, including “Radio Transmission” and “She’s Lost Control,” as a tribute to the original vocalist Ian Curtis, who killed himself 25 years ago.
By the time they finally played their biggest hit, “Blue Monday,” as the last encore, we were already whipped into a giddy teenage frenzy. Then when they somehow managed to mix in some of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” something broke inside our little over-excited brains. We’re not sure yet if it was a good break or a bad break, but it we’ve definitely changed inside.
Overall, it was all we were hoping it would be and we really hope this turns into a full-fledged tour. Our only complaint was that the sound balance seemed off, so the instrumentals often overwhelmed the vocals. Oh, and if Ana Matronic is going to be singing a song entitled “Jetstream” she needs to be wearing a stewardess costume. It's just the way it is.
Was anyone else there? Did anyone make it to the after party at Hiro? Do you think we have worse music taste than your average 13 year old girl? Comment!
[Photos from last night can be seen at: flickr/neworder, and read more at One Louder]
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My friend and I thought the show was fantastic. Solid song selection, fun crowd, enthusiastic band. Nicely done.
since you asked....
i've been way excited for last nite's NO show for months too.... but i didn't think it was so great.... in fact, that this show did not totally suck is testimony to the power of the material these guys have to draw from - material which the singer cheapened by continually "whooping" and whistling (a real whistle i think) throughout - making it seem like the band has no concept of the minimalist approach that was central to joy division and to new order records. if u wanna see a bunch of old guys doing this well, go see the cure. they keep their mouths shut except when singing and produce a set on the same artisitic level as their records. at one point the singer said "at least ian curtis doesn't have to put up with this." he was referring to his own bum foot. i think ian could have dealt with the foot pain. the music, on the other hand....
I didn't see this show but saw Coachella and it was kinda sad. They played decently but the Joy Division songs were strange with the upbeat flavor of New Order. They were also the band that had the most comments about their age. I think it was best said by a 17 year old in front of me-"jesus they are old".
he's been whooping live for at least a decade.
Having seen New Order over the years since the early 1980s, and having wished to see them perform Joy Division material since that time, the performance at the Hammerstein last night was nothing short of remarkable. Yes, it was flawed. New Order has always been a much better studio band than a live one. Yes, the sound stank, either due to poor mixing or poor acoustics, or both. Yes, some New Order seeped into the Joy Division songs. Yet, to anyone who shed a tear when Ian Curtis cut his life short on May 18, 1980, seeing his compatriots finally come to terms with their legacy and make peace with the past--and share these sounds with a new generation of fans--is a true revelation.
As one who never thought he would ever hear these song performed live, the Hammerstein show was a cause for celebration and reflection. Even as performed by New Order, She's Lost Control displayed an edgy and raw angry rage that has never been replicated, although many have tried.
As a band, Joy Division was the Perfect Storm. A quarter century later, the aging members of New Order, seem at peace and seem to be having fun on the stage. Most of all, they have finally embraced their legacy.
that's all fine and good... but if they could just approach that legacy with a bit of taste...
the sped up Joy Division songs are really the only way New Order could play them. it gave the songs a flavor meant to be to be respected in its own right, not compared to the unique vocal styling of Ian Curtis. Joy Division is over, and it's great of New Order to play their songs at all.
on another note entirely, if you're going to bring Ana Matronic out to sing one song, at least let her come out again to cover the Kylie bit at the end.
all in all, the show was pretty friggin' awesome.
Went to the afterparty at Hiro where Peter Hook spun. Great selection of tracks. Was surprised to hear the techno-ey stuff, but twas quality. Played a wicked Joy Division remix.
Yes; been a fan of IC since the late 80s. Can't imagine NO could pull off a true rendition now; not sure why they would try (other than to please desperate fans) seeing that they can't even relate to the state of the scene and mindset of Manchester back then. Besides, their sound is different, and Peter Hook is the only true link.
Anyone have news on the movie after Debbie Curtis's book? She's a disturbed c*nt who never understood Ian; but he did love her so I respect that. Can't believe his daughter has turned into such a generic Brit.
That said, RIP Ian. You're still in my thoughts and no doubt a legend and a star; which I know is what you were striving for (arguably at Bowie's level or beyond). Seeing all of these hipster knock-off bands must at least entertain you in your current journeys.
i wasn't talking about new order pulling off joy division - they did that okay.... transmission was the best song of the nite. i was talking about new order pulling off new order.... about things that sound good - like the music, and not like the whistles or the yells or the announcements of each song. whatever. it was okay. just could have been great.
the track is simply called "Transmission" you heathens. :)