Why the Chicago show was one of the best nights of my life

I am 22 (almost 23) years old and I live in Columbus Ohio. I work as a free lance photographer and Im the main songwriter in an electro band. In 1996, when I was 14, I heard Blue Monday on a CD compilation. It blew me away. id never heard nothing like it before. Id never heard dance music like that before. Id never heard God like music like that before. So, I bought the Best of New Order, which had jsut come out, and fell in love with it. After that, I bought Technique, then Low Life, then the rest. Thru out high school, and my first few years of College, New Order provided a soundtrack to my life. Thier music made me happy and sad, it made me want to dance and cry, all at once. Brilliant. Im from a working class family, and thast four working class ordinary people could make such amazing music insipred to to strart writing my own songs. Now I make much of my income as a music performer. I never ever thought Id get to see New Order in concert. So I wouldnt beleive how amazing it was to see them at the Aragon. I was right up front, right by Phil. The energy and sound and everything of the how was amazing. Yes, there were some drunken selfish assholes, but most of the people around me were incredibly kind and just as excited about the show as I was. And what an amazing show. To see with my own eyes oen of the msot important rock bands ever, wow, I cant describe it. And then I went to neo, where I danced like an insane mad man all night. I couldnt beleive how happy I was. And everyone at Neo was just having an amazing time. It was a truly extraordinary night. And I got to say hi to Spotnick and thank him for this site, for for 3 years now has been the best NO resource for me. I know this post seems really corny, but when I was 14 year old boy living in a poor neighborhood in Columbus Ohio, New Order and Joy Division took me to a lot of places and inspired me to write music myself, so to see them live was just amazing. Thanks to the people up front by me for being so friendly and cool. Zachery

That's one helluva huge link .

New Order live is like airborne Ecstasy, you leave with nothing but good feeling towards everyone and everything, a vague grin on your face, and a greater appreciation for music in general. Oh and you want to go have a pint or six with the friends afterwards.

thanks for sharing your experience with us Zachary. my story is similar but reading about your situation reminds me how truly magical New Order can be. Glad you got to see them at such a great show.

I was the guy right next to you, the one who watched your bag. It was great to have you around you helped make the concert one of the best my wife and I have ever seen. Although... I did have to worry about losing an eye to your hair at times j/k. You gave inspiration to those of us who have followed Joy Division/New Order since almost their beginning. It's so good to see younger people appreciate good music with all the garbage that is out there now. Best of luck to you in the future and I wish you all the success.

Wow sounds like we had almost the exact same experience Tuesday night and in our introductions to New Order. I had an amazing spot two rows back directly in front of Hooky. It was without a doubt the best concert I've ever been to and the party at Neo was the post-gig experience I've had. I also met some NOOLers there. Chatted a bit with and thanked them for the party and of course the excellent website! I'm 23 and was introduced to New Order sometime in 1995 when a friend lent me Substance. I loved it immediately and eventually got all the albums. Like you New Order have had a huge impact on my own musical endeavors. I have a few of my newer tracks up at mypspace: http://www.myspace.com/foresterjohn . Great to hear that someone else had the same incredible experience that I did!