New Order live @ Hammerstein Ballroom - NYC (USA) - 2005.05.05

These are my thoughts from the show... First of all, I drove from DC so bear in mind this is my first experience at Hammersteins. But the sound sucked! I go to a smaller club called the 930 and the sound is so much better. I was about 15 feet back from the center stage on the floor. I, too, was shocked that the majority of those surrounding me and my friend were standing still. He and I were danced non-stop from the time they started Love Vigilantes. We are both in our mid 30's (don't look close to it though :D ) but obviously have more enthusiasm than the kids around us! My other pet peeve is a guy dragged 6 of his friends into his space, crowding and pushing all of us around him. It really annoys me that people think they can show up right before the show starts when I've been standing there since the doors opened. I'm only 5'2 and tiny so being mouthy when no one else around is willing to do anything does no good. And then of course, my view was blocked for most of the show...

But New Order was awesome. They played alot of my favorite songs, a few were left off (a perfect kiss for one), but all in all it was an amazing night!

And then we were standing outside on the sidewalk deciding where to go to eat, and out the side door came Carlos D! Extra excitement for me since I've seen Interpol 3x in the last couple of months. What a night, certainly one I won't forget for awhile.

I'm sorry guys, but I dont agree with a lot of reviews here about the Hammerstein show. I'm a diehard New Order fan and I really think the show wasn't all that good. I know everyone here in this forum are diehard NO fans, but let's be realistic...the show sucked. Bernard doesn't have strong enough voice to handle Hammerstein. The sound overshadowed his voice. I did find Bernies dancin' quite amusing...Hook's bass playin' is off the hook.

Jammasta wrote: I'm sorry guys, but I dont agree with a lot of reviews here about the Hammerstein show. I'm a diehard New Order fan and I really think the show wasn't all that good. I know everyone here in this forum are diehard NO fans, but let's be realistic...the show sucked. Bernard doesn't have strong enough voice to handle Hammerstein. The sound overshadowed his voice. I did find Bernies dancin' quite amusing...Hook's bass playin' is off the hook.

I think if you were going there and expecting some big effects and MTV style fireworks or choreography then yeah you would be dissappointed.

The guys are 50 yrs old and stil make great music. Plus Barney had been singin since the week before so maybe his vocals were wearing down..who knows

overall it was a good show

e C K o H

Its amazing how die-hard fans are complaining about the show/sound/barney's dancing/whatever. The only legitimate gripe should be that most of the people at Hammerstein were zobmies with sticks in their arses. If you're that picky, stick to your iPod and don't bother buying a concert ticket and let others enjoy listening to an imperfect band and love every minute of it.

Occasional lurker, first time poster. Thanks to all for a great source of NO info and great forum.

Agree with many posters that the crowd was a little inactive, but this is NYC in 2005. Having seen NO in concert in NY Metro area in 1987, 1989, and 1993, I found the Hammerstein show quite interesting sociologically.

Here are some observations:

1. The crowd was full of 30 to 40 years olds... people who would have camped out overnight for tickets back when they were kids in the 80's, but now are making enough bucks to pay the scalpers' prices for tickets. Overall, I think this crowd is sedate, comfortable, very self-conscious, and deathly afraid of getting any beer spilled on them.

2. Like Times Square (remember the pan of the XXX and kung fu movie marquees in Times Square in the Confusion music video?), NY has become a more sanitized, upwardly mobile, middle class, follow-the-rules kind of place. Ironically, the crowd has become "Japanese" (as in the crowd in the Pumped Full of Drugs concert video).

3. At least the 30+ year olds did not appear to be obsessed with capturing really crappy, grainy photos with their cell phones. As other people have said, jezz, would you just stop recording your life and just LIVE it. Talk about "turning Japanese"... back in the day the big joke was the Japanese tourists go around and take pictures of everything. Now that digital photography is cheap it seems that we Americans were just jealous of the Japanese tourists. Don't live life as a tourist... experience it first-hand.

4. Dragonette - wow, these guys would have had stuff thrown at them in the old NY. I remember going to see DEVO at The Ritz in 1988 and the opening act was a synth-pop duo called Red Flag. The poor guys of Red Flag were pelted with ice, beer, and balled-up paper cups. Dragonette got a smattering of polite applause after most songs.

What was the deal with the Don Johnson/Miami Vice outfits on two of the guys in Dragonette? The lead singer of Dragonette reminded me of Rod Stewart during his "Do ya think I'm sexy, come on sugar let me know" era.

5. There's nothing worse than aging, hipster dufusses. This hipster couple was making their way toward the front after the opening act and then hit a road block immediately behind me. The guy was wearing a tan beret, and his wife/girlfriend was sporting white-rimmed and rhinestoned librarian-style glasses and a tacky blond dye job. The woman was having some kind of passive-aggressive jostling match with some dude behind her, and when her boyfried/husband was trying to get her to chill out and stand on the other side of him, she started arguing with her boyfriend/husband. The hipster couple were as dead as doornails whenever they didn't know a song (which was any song that isn't from the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack era). When they danced, the woman only knew one dance which can be best described as a Boy George-ish hip sway (and I can't think of a more troublesome dance in a standing-room only crowd). Anyway, my point is: This is the kind of audience you get when scalpers are allowed to get a hold of a substantial number of tickets and real fans are priced out while hipsters are willing to pay $130/ticket to re-live their Molly Ringwald days.

The only legitimate gripe should be that most of the people at Hammerstein were zobmies with sticks in their arses. If you're that picky, stick to your iPod and don't bother buying a concert ticket and let others enjoy listening to an imperfect band and love every minute of it.

why does everybody has to dance and move around in order not to be considered picky? some people (including me) just like to stand, watch and listen

eCKOh wrote:

Jammasta wrote: I'm sorry guys, but I dont agree with a lot of reviews here about the Hammerstein show. I'm a diehard New Order fan and I really think the show wasn't all that good. I know everyone here in this forum are diehard NO fans, but let's be realistic...the show sucked. Bernard doesn't have strong enough voice to handle Hammerstein. The sound overshadowed his voice. I did find Bernies dancin' quite amusing...Hook's bass playin' is off the hook.

I think if you were going there and expecting some big effects and MTV style fireworks or choreography then yeah you would be dissappointed.

The guys are 50 yrs old and stil make great music. Plus Barney had been singin since the week before so maybe his vocals were wearing down..who knows

overall it was a good show

e C K o H

Well I'm not really criticizing the choreography or light effects, etc... It's really barney's vocals. It was just horrible. You can't say because he sang the week before that his vocals were just not up to par. Even the first time I saw them in Jones Beach with the SugarCubes opening for them, Barney's vocals weren't there (and we are talking about when he was in his mid 30s). They are definitely a studio band more than a live band. I saw Erasure 2 weeks ago, and Andy Bell definitely didn't have any vocal issues and the crowd was by far more "alive" than the NO show. Of course, I can't really compare to the 2 shows since Erasure fans are you can say.... "different".
If you read about New Order's profile on this website, you will read that Barney was never big on doing live shows. But don't get me wrong, because I don't think he's a good live singer doesn't mean I didn't enjoy seeing the band. :)

I'm happy to read here that enough people seem to agree with me about the fucking corpses in the audience. Just so hard to believe. When they did LWTUA I started pogo-ing and going nuts and the guy behind me whined and told me to "calm down" because I was pushing him off a little bump in the floor. I snapped back with something to the effect of "don't tell me to calm down at a New Order show during a song like this, I'm 37 and can remember the more passionate days of music, sorry you can't and that you're so boring" In any case I thought the show was great and if/when they come back to NYC again this year I will buy another ticket.

This was the most expensive concert of my life (plane ticket, paying double at ebay for the concert tickets, etc) and let me tell you, it was worth it. Every single cent. Maybe it is because I am 27 and I have only been a fan for 4 years, but I never ever though I would get the chance of seeing New Order live, in such a great venue, with so many nice people and close to the stage! (I thought, well, I became a fan too late, I missed the moment, you know?) But now I get to see them and now you are telling me the thing is coming out on DVD?????

No "new" New Order fan deserves it this good. But I am taking it. Oh yes, I am.

All the best, and for the "old timers" that waited all their life to see them and were there on Thursday night, here is to you I salute you.

Flavio

God bless New order there one of the only bands that can make this jaded 28yr old dance so much. I posted before that i wish they dropped true faith. I was so wrong. I wish they played more songs maybe 22 songs. All their fucking dance tracks they should play. If only perfect kiss,thieves like us, and fine time, i would be sobbing.

Is a song really a song if it is not performed live. Whats the use of releasing new material if is buried underneath the hits. My guess is after jetstream the title track will be the next single. There were 3 songs played off the new album.

I guess my point is that i believe that songs needs to be consumated by playing at gigs. Do they really exist if they are not?

I hope they ditch love vig. and run wild next time. Good songs but not what i want live.

Last random rant: I must confess no new order show is complete without self-indulgence. Did anybody else have a little fun in the bathroom?

I hate bathroom attendants. I hate the idea of somebody being subserviant to myself.

Let me start off saying that I am a pretty big fan since around 88.. I am in my early 30s.. never got to see them live... except on the recent official live DVDs, where they were pretty good.

Also, let me say that the Hammerstein sound is generally fantastic, I have seen tons of shows there since the mid 90's I think. Including a great Primal Scream show when they were here pushing the XTerminator cd..

This show had me excited... then N.O. hit the stage, and barney's vocals are crap! I think it had a bit to do with the mixing on his mic, as it did get somewhat better as they progressed. At times you couldn't even hear certain lyrics until he screamed, and then you REALLY heard him scream... vocals aside, I thought they sounded great though.. Luckily the vocals seemed to get somewhat better after a few songs, and I was pretty happy probably 3 or 4 songs into it.

Overall, I would give this performance a 7.5/10, which is pretty good. Also, I see alot of shows, and I just saw Trail of the Dead at Irving Plaza, and that was a fantastic show..

New Order / J.D. will always be one of my favorite bands, and will always be, but Bernie just isn't a great live performer... he tries to add too much and improvise on the live stuff.. his vocals seemed to need "filling in", and whenever Hooky added in it was better. Bernie's guitar work was NICE to say the least! His dancing? Well, having never seen N.O. in the 80's except on the Tarchavkis or whatever it is called tape, I liked it more when they didn't try so hard.. I liked the talking to the audience, but the whistling and screaming.. It would have helped if he didn't do that I think.

Well, to those who travelled, I hope you liked the show! To Flavio, hey dude, I am ecuadorian too, at least my mom is! I was born here in NYC though.. that must have been one expensive ticket for N.O. =)

also, I wish they hadn't done Run Wild, and Jet Stream.. probably the 2 weakest songs on the setlist..

titus bondi wrote: The only legitimate gripe should be that most of the people at Hammerstein were zobmies with sticks in their arses. If you're that picky, stick to your iPod and don't bother buying a concert ticket and let others enjoy listening to an imperfect band and love every minute of it.

why does everybody has to dance and move around in order not to be considered picky? some people (including me) just like to stand, watch and listen

let me get this straight. you first write that it is a 'legitimate gripe' to call the NY crowd 'zombies' yet you then complain about how one should have the right to just stand and listen without others making a big to do... which completely contradicts your first statement. utterly confusing.

perhaps we have different definitions for the word 'zombie.'

novadancer wrote: My other pet peeve is a guy dragged 6 of his friends into his space, crowding and pushing all of us around him. It really annoys me that people think they can show up right before the show starts when I've been standing there since the doors opened.

that must have been myself, jarvo, gary, john and johnny giles. we were across the street enjoying ourselves, having drinks at TGIF with other NOOL people instead of waiting in line outside the venue. you should have joined us--perhaps then you would have been in better spirits at the show!

Flavio Arosemena wrote: This was the most expensive concert of my life (plane ticket, paying double at ebay for the concert tickets, etc) and let me tell you, it was worth it. Every single cent. Maybe it is because I am 27 and I have only been a fan for 4 years, but I never ever though I would get the chance of seeing New Order live, in such a great venue, with so many nice people and close to the stage! (I thought, well, I became a fan too late, I missed the moment, you know?) But now I get to see them and now you are telling me the thing is coming out on DVD?????

No "new" New Order fan deserves it this good. But I am taking it. Oh yes, I am.

All the best, and for the "old timers" that waited all their life to see them and were there on Thursday night, here is to you I salute you.

Flavio

I agree with Favio! This was my first time seeing New Order live, and I only waited 15 years Favio, ojala nos veamos pronto en Guayaquil. Saludos.

I am 27 and have never seen them live. I can now die in peace. Some people are saying that the show wasn't that great. I beg to differ. All I have to say was that it was incredible. I was in the mezzanine and everyone was dancing like crazy. Some guy standing next to me was even doing a horrible Morrissey dance impression too. From the opening of Love Vigilantes to the Blue Monday encore, I was on my feet. I think the biggest hits were Regret and LWTUA. Unfortunately New Order aren't as massive here as I would like to see them be but the crowd loved them. I wish their new album came out last month rather then a week ago as people weren't as familiar with the new songs. Ana Matronic came out for Jetstream, which sounded great. Bernard was jumping around like a man on fire, Hooky was never in the same place twice and Phil and Steve were just great. Steve's drumming is one of a kind. I think my favorite songs they played were Temptation and Atmosphere. Here is a rundown of the setlist(It might not be exact but I am trying to rack my brains-I didn't write it down during the concert- I was having too much fun.)

Love Vigilantes, Crystal, Regret, Hey What You Doing?, Krafty, Transmission, True Faith, Run Wild, Jetstream, Waiting for the Sirens Call, LWTUA, Bizarre Love Triangle, Temptation, ENCORE: She's Lost Control, Atmosphere, Blue Monday

(would have liked to see them play Ceremony or Dreams Never End but maybe next time!)

AgentWood wrote:

that must have been myself, jarvo, gary, john and johnny giles. we were across the street enjoying ourselves, having drinks at TGIF with other NOOL people instead of waiting in line outside the venue.

Doesn't this kind of pleasant behavior just make it so much fun to go to rock concerts? You'll go far in life with this kind of attitude Agent Wood!

When people like Wood and his little friends try to push past me and my wife, and profer half-hearted "excuse me's", I just push back a little harder in their direction and offer my own, "No, excuse ME". Between the assh*les moving back and forth in the crowd during the show, and the attention-deficited loudmouths who decide to carry on conversations during songs that don't interest them, attending large-scale rock concerts like this can be a test of concentration. And I like to dance during the shows, and did a bit on Thursday, but the sardine-like conditions don't allow for a lot of movement. Maybe up and down pogo-style, but NO's music is rarely conducive to that sort of dancing. And as enthusiastic as I am about NO, I don't want some person falling into me while they attempt to put together their dance moves. This ain't no disco, it's an incredibly crowded old theatre.

Drew Olewnick wrote:

AgentWood wrote:

that must have been myself, jarvo, gary, john and johnny giles. we were across the street enjoying ourselves, having drinks at TGIF with other NOOL people instead of waiting in line outside the venue.

When people like Wood and his little friends

that would be her friends. i am a female, after all. and who says i was pogo-ing? the others were, and good for them, but i was breaking out my own dance moves. sorry if that isn't acceptable to you and your standards. you don't know me from eve, but i guess that doesn't matter, right? i guess 'me and my little friends' are worthy of your vitriol despite this fact.

and what 'attitude' would that be? wanting to meet other fans of the band? actually, kindness has gotten me pretty far, drew. i was being genuine, drew, when i brought up meeting at TGIF.

anyway, it's heartening to hear that many others enjoyed the show and the music as we did, be it through dancing, standing, or lying on the floor (if that's your thing). it's been nice to read these excellent posts!

i really enjoy the kylie minogue sample on blue monday. It got me going as i love the song cant you get out of my head.

Anybody have the mix of blue monday/cant get you out my head?

I know Blue Monday is their biggest hit, but next time would love to hear Thieves Like Us or Perfect Kiss in it's place.

AgentWood wrote:

Drew Olewnick wrote:

AgentWood wrote:

that must have been myself, jarvo, gary, john and johnny giles. we were across the street enjoying ourselves, having drinks at TGIF with other NOOL people instead of waiting in line outside the venue.

When people like Wood and his little friends

that would be her friends. i am a female, after all. and who says i was pogo-ing? the others were, and good for them, but i was breaking out my own dance moves. sorry if that isn't acceptable to you and your standards. you don't know me from eve, but i guess that doesn't matter, right? i guess 'me and my little friends' are worthy of your vitriol despite this fact.

and why the nasty, long-winded rant? i was being genuine, drew, when i brought up meeting at TGIF.

Pardon my gender misidentfication Wood, however you responded to Novadancer's comment about "some guy and 6 of his friends"... er, are you sure about yourself?...

And you seemed to take some delight in implying that you forced your way through a crowd of people who had been occupying their spots for some hours. Why is it that most forms of common courtesy are chucked out the window at rock concerts? Oh yeah -- rawk-n-roll!

I wasn't referring specifically to your dancing. I've done my own share of pogo-ing in my time. My point was that these incredibly crowded concert settings do not lend themselves to dancing. So most people choose to tap a foot, nod a head, or sway side-to-side. It's not that they are not enjoying themselves or the band, it's simply that they just can't move.

Spotnick wrote: Forgot to add for the pleasure of people not there...

On Jetstream, Bernard went down on his knees to play the gee-tar at Ana's feet.

That wasn't planned at all, the management beside me were all laughing in a way saying "wow, that is great"... :D

Yeah I dug that, too!

About people not being "active" enough, I was up front row for Oakland and NYC, and the NYC was by far the most docile crowd. No one touched my back the entire time. You can't really compare Coachella with the regular crowds though since it's a festival. But no matter, New Order were amazing nonetheless. It didn't diminish them at all.

I arrived in New York at 7am the day of the show. Between meeting other fans, the show itself, and the after party, this was one of the best 24 hrs of my life. I only got half an hour of sleep that night because my flight was at 7. Trying to sober up on a plane is not a fun thing.

Spotnick wrote: Forgot to add for the pleasure of people not there...

On Jetstream, Bernard went down on his knees to play the gee-tar at Ana's feet.

That wasn't planned at all, the management beside me were all laughing in a way saying "wow, that is great"... :D

Are you sure? It looked like he totally busted his ass when doing one of his dance steps. His bum ankle must have gave way. I saw a grimace on his face and he also used his hand to brace his fall. Ana also had a "wtf" look on her face when he fell.