What more can be said about a group that transcends genre, era and opinion? A plethora of content exists that unpacks every whirring gear that turned from the evolution of Warsaw into Joy Division through to New Order.
On top of that, the fallouts, personal demons, habits, side projects and controversies have been an inescapable thread through the story.As we consume every second of content about them, it's easy to forget how New Order can uplift and transport a crowd into a dimension where only that moment exits; and that's exactly what the cyclone-weary Brisbane crowd needed on a humid Tuesday night (11 March).
Uncertainty surrounded the post-cyclone show as to whether it would go ahead. How to get there? Mud shoes or dance shoes? Positive thoughts set in as the sun broke through the post-cyclone clouds during the afternoon, setting the tone of what would be an evening of gleeful nostalgia.
Fans sauntered in and found a comfy place on the grass. Some brought rugs (the first evidence of generational fandom) to relax on while others found their spot at the front and dropped anchor.
Manchester scene veteran and New Order tour staple, DJ TinTin swung into action with a swag of house cuts and unexpected variations of classic Depeche Mode, Smiths and Pet Shop Boys tracks. It's a mood setter and attracts gentle head bobbing to the beat.
Juno Mamba - image © Chris Searles
The official support artist, Juno Mamba stepped up and enthralled the gathering crowd with atmospheric trance house beats. Mamba began in Gold Fields, an electronic funk/groove five-piece from Ballarat, but has since ventured out as a solo artist in recent years.
His sound is ethereal, filled with enveloping strings and emotive climbs. It's a great cleanser to begin the night. Kind of like the coffee beans in a perfume section – it resets the senses before the next cologne.
DJ TinTin takes the decks again as the stage crew prep and perform final checks. TinTin's experience from chaotic warehouse raves during the Second Summer of Love in '89-'90 shows as he cheekily keeps returning to the decks after being ushered off by the crew. His friendship with New Order goes back to DJing long nights at the infamous Hacienda nightclub, so he's one of the few who could get away with it!
A three-minute montage of arty, slow motion, high-diving footage appears on the huge background LED. It's partnered with a moody electro orchestral soundtrack. It has all the hallmarks of the famous Factory Records cover art designer, Peter Saville, and the iconic Joy Division photographer, Anton Corbijn. This visual style will become the theme throughout the show, playing a critical role in the creativity of the group.
New Order - image © Chris Searles
Bernard Sumner leads the band onstage to a rapturous applause. Many in the crowd have most likely never seen them play live, other may have caught them at Big Day Out in 2003 or back in the late '80s. Sumner points out that the first time they were in Brisbane (1982 for those playing at home) they weren't allowed into soundcheck because they were wearing shorts. "I'm sure things have changed these days," he quips as the drummer, Stephen Morris, taps in the Joy Division classic 'Transmission'. Things have definitely changed, Mr Sumner!
The set list stretches across almost five decades of influential and much loved songwriting. They shift from 1979 to 2001's 'Crystal', before jumping back to 1981 for 'Ceremony'. They have stuck to a rigid set list through the tour, a forgivable intention as their catalogue is immense.
The production involved to bring many of these songs to life is delicate and detailed, sometimes feeling like a tightrope where a bum note or missed beat could unravel everything, but it doesn't.
The adoration the crowd has for the group creates a symbiotic relationship. Each carry the other from song to song, even through the classic tracks with revised beats or tones.
The iconic bass riff for 'Age Of Consent' brings many smiles. It's the undeniable spirit of Peter Hook that the group will never shake, no matter how perfect Tom Chapman reproduces it. Chapman took over bass duties after Hook's departure in 2011. These are undoubtedly some of the biggest shoes to fill in music, but Chapman does it with aplomb.
New Order - image © Chris Searles
Joy Division's manic 'Isolation' flows into the rarely live-played 'Love Less' from 1989's 'Technique' album. 'Player In The League', the B-side to 2002's 'Here To Stay' is a deep cut that isn't overly familiar to the crowd, but "whatever!" they say and dance along anyway.
The classics are plentiful with 'Sub-Culture', the effervescent 'Bizarre Love Triangle' and 'Vanishing Point' among them. Gillian Gilbert again proves that her synth abilities and influence on the band's sound is criminally under celebrated. Gilbert remains rock solid stoic in the midst of a chaotic light show and aural waterfall.
Unfortunately, things appear a little unsteady during a slightly danced-up iteration of 'True Faith'. Sumner's voice projection struggles and it shows he's going through the motions. At age 69, it's forgivable that he could be fatigued or faltered in onstage breath work, but it weakens the famously uplifting track. Maybe it's something for the frontman to consider as the years gain and physical abilities wane.
New Order - image © Chris Searles
The band are a well-oiled machine. They deliver in spades as the set closes with 'Temptation'. It's a moment of elation as the crowd sings: "Oh, you've got green eyes. Oh, you've got blue eyes. Oh, you've got grey eyes," and so on. It's a unifying, majestic moment.
The encore ends with the beginnings. Supported by Anton Corbijn's signature black and white 1988 music video, the hymnal beauty of Joy Division's 'Atmosphere' invites the audience to honour its singer, Ian Curtis.
The angelic jangle of synth chimes had barely faded as Stephen Morris counted in the must have 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'. If you could spot a person in the audience that wasn't singing or mouthing the words, you've got NASA-designed eyes. It's expected, but it's never disappointing.
Let's face it, New Order aren't a band. In some ways, they're not even real. Without wanting to find a 'box' for them, they fit into the category of an 'ultimate legendary influence collective' for nine out of ten bands formed across the past five decades.
New Order - image © Chris Searles
Bands that formed after hearing the 'Unknown Pleasures' album or seeing the 'True Faith' clip on TV. Like it or not, New Order somehow found a way to exist in all of us. The Riverstage show cemented the fact that we're hedonistically willing to keep it that way.
More photos from the concert.
