Pleasantly Surprised/Impressed!

For many years, the word about New Order was that they weren't very good live. And live performances I've seen of them had kinda added truth to that sentiment; the sound often being thin and not quite recapturing the albums.

so it was with some reservation that I agreed to go to the New York show last night, but they're my friend's favorite band, and he needed someone to go with, and besides, it's fuckin' New Order. i should see them.

so we go. and WOW!! It's like, I have no idea where those rumors came from (maybe they're better now than they've been on previous tours), but they played insanely good last night! Everything sounded so full and big and exciting!

The Joy Division songs were intense and sounded huge! I guess i was expecting to be underwhelmed...but it was quite overwhelming how damn good they were! They played great. Being the first time seeing them, I had no basis for comparison either. Admittedly, I still don't have the new album, but I knew everything else. And the new songs did sound quite good.

Is this just me!? Or is the general impression this time around one of greatness??

I AGREE COMPLETELY.

I always thought they stunk live- and the bootlegs never told a different story. But they were freaking INCREDIBLE live. Epic. Love Will Tear Us Apart - I'll never forget it. Barney shout/rapped a couple of lines tho lol.

BTW I hope Barney is doing ok. He fell to the floor during "Jetstream" = damned hip. But Ana took it in stride and kept singing. Afterwards, he traded that heavy solidbody for the 330 hollowbody and held up fine the rest of the show, and even danced!

actually, he only used the 330 during WFTSC... and anyway, from my experience, SGs are much lighter that 330/335 style hollow-bodies.

I agree completely - the show was incredible and they performed superbly.

Well, those rumours were true. When I saw them in Toronto in 1993, Barney was in a miserable mood, barely said anything to the audience, except for Thank You after each song. Hooky was the only one into it. Barney admits now that they were not getting along, hated touring, having financial problems with Factory, etc, etc. (I still loved the show since I am such a huge fan).

The turnaround in Barney's attitude is amazing and fantastic. i really noticed the change during the 2001 tour, he is now really into it. I think it makes for a big difference in the live shows. I can now say with confidence that for anyone who likes their music at all, they will have the concert experience of a lifetime by attending one of their shows now. Their casual laid back unpretentious style, Hooky's amazing bass-god performance, and their music catalogue is an unbeatable combination.

20 years I've waited to see them live, and I've often heard not the best reports about their live shows. All I have to say is WOW, WOW, fucking WOW. The flaws and falls at the Hammerstein show gave it character if you ask me. They put on a better experience than I had hoped for. Two days later, and I am still buzzing from it.

I love the fact that when his hip gave out during jetstream, he just kept playing on his knees like Jimi would! Also, he actually sang the best there on that song (when he was back at the mike!).

Temptation was all that I imagined it to be live. I was swept away - and not just because there was a mini-mosh going on in my section!