Merriweather Post, Columbia, MD - July 28, 2013

Pit tickets!!! Who else is going??!

I got my tickets this morning....I have been a fan for 22 years and I am super stoked that I finally get to see my favorite band in concert.

I got GA-Floor. That's the orchestra pit. I used to work at the venue in the 80's. First time I saw NO, show was NO, PIL and Sugarcubes. Any of the crew from the NYC last fall gonna be there? I still got my Vikings pin.

a quick check of ticketfly shows that GA tickets remain but everything in 'Pavilion 1' is gone. 'Pavilion 2' or seats in rows AA or further remain. Puts sales under the roof at somewhere around 3,500 by my estimate. Interesting to see what type of business lawn sales did...

for those wondering, there are a few hotels nearby and a few watering holes as well. I really like the venue and area, one of my favorites. If you are coming from outside the region, please feel free to ask questions or for recommendations.

For those coming into the area, was contemplating setting up pre-show at Union Jack's which is a short walk from the venue. Large spot, good beer, and close by. Share your thoughts.

http://www.unionjackscolumbia.com/

I have two extra tickets in the pavilion if anyone is interested (Left Center, row V, seats 13 & 15). My buddy and his wife couldn't find a babysitter.

JG wrote:

Who's Joe? wrote: For those coming into the area, was contemplating setting up pre-show at Union Jack's which is a short walk from the venue. Large spot, good beer, and close by. Share your thoughts.

http://www.unionjackscolumbia.com/

That looks good to me Joe.

Is this pre-show meet-up still on? While this is my virgin post, I have been a member of the neworderonline community since 2005 (New Order fan since 1985) and would love to meet other fans of the band that never lets us hit the ground.

I am most assuredly planning on stopping in -- it's where I park for shows at Merriweather Post. I'll likely firm what time I am headed over on Sunday morning. I see they are doing a traditional English Roast on Sunday which should make for pre-show fun!!

JG, I am sure you can be counted for a beverage or two....

DHLaw wrote:

JG wrote:

Who's Joe? wrote: For those coming into the area, was contemplating setting up pre-show at Union Jack's which is a short walk from the venue. Large spot, good beer, and close by. Share your thoughts.

http://www.unionjackscolumbia.com/

That looks good to me Joe.

Is this pre-show meet-up still on? While this is my virgin post, I have been a member of the neworderonline community since 2005 (New Order fan since 1985) and would love to meet other fans of the band that never lets us hit the ground.

I need to get rid of my tickets for New Order on Sunday. Wife is very wil and I need to tend to her. Anyone interested?

I am considering doing the Columbia MD show as its ona Sunday, anyone have an idea what the cheapest route from NYC to Columbia would be? Linus?

So, in Maryland, it says doors open at 5:30. What is the timing for it all? And I heard something about a DJ????

someone may have more info on this than I do, but because the venue is close to a residential area there is a curfew. 5:30pm doors typically equates to an 8pm start for the headliner based upon my prior trips to the Post. check Merriweather Post's page on twitter or facebook for more detail.

Set times were just posted on Merriweathermusic.com --

Holy Ghost 7pm New Order 8:15pm

The curfew is apparently 10:30pm on Sundays.

See everyone there!

JG has better info sources than me. I'd take his word....

I'll likely be coming into Union Jack's around 3:30pm wearing a slightly distressed 24 Hour Party People shirt.

In my "No" North America Tour 2005 black shirt

UGH! I had to re-register for the Forum. Been a NOOL member for a very long time...

I am going! The last NO concert I saw was back in 1989. I tried to go to the 5/5/2005 (was able to get a T-shirt via buds in Chicago) and could not make it, tried to go to both Bad L concerts in Chicago and they were cancelled...there is no way I was going to miss this on.

I'm taking my wife and 2 daughters to tonights show - I can stand it I'm so excited!!! I will be on the Twitter feed under my #nuordrman.

*** If you see us there please help me get my 11 year old to the front ***

Cheers and see you there

I will plan on being at Union Jacks around 3:30 as well then. I will be wearing a black "N O" shirt from he 2005 tour as well, and, ironically, I did not attend that one either (one of their few American tours I missed since 1985). The weather forecast seems to be getting better -- does not sound like it will be a deluge.

I first started following this forum in 2005. Being a New Order fan since 1985, the neworderonline site was a magnificent way to keep up with latest from the band and the forum provided a great way to read about the stories of similar devotion to the greatest band of our lifetime. Up to a couple of days ago, my participation had always been vicarious; I read the stories with much joy and interest, and told myself one day I would love to meet up with some of the members.

Well yesterday became the day that goal game to fruition. Who’s Joe kindly and ably set up a pre-show meet up at Union Jack’s – a perfect place to grab food and libations before the show and quick walk to the MPP. I got to meet WJ’s brother and JG. JG was a fount of knowledge about all things New Order and I heard so many cool stories just from the pub chat alone.

Finally, show time arrived. The forecast for rain had thankfully held off and so it was just muggy – normal for a mid-Atlantic summer evening. Holy Ghost took the stage and demonstrated, among many other things, that the influence of New Order will be felt for years to come. It was great to hear such polished craft emanating from a stateside band. DJ Whitney Fierce then returned to the decks and showed why anyone linked to Hercules the Love Affair is magically talented. Her set kept the vibe going. Reading her bio, it seems like her talent is almost effortless, and I am glad to hear she may be doing some work with New Order in the future.

New Order entered the stage around 8:20 just a few feet ahead from our positions in the pit. I will not bother with the set list; have set lists ever mattered with New Order? The quality of the parts are so high that change will never bring a mis-step. Such was the case tonight, as they ignited the night with Crystal and never let us hit the ground until Temptation. I remember the days when a New Order set was 9-10 songs; today the sets are 20 songs. Of course, back then TPK, Blue Monday and Temptation each clocked in at the 9-10 minute range. Back in the day, New Order blazed the trail with their light shows. Now with the infusion of video, their multimedia show creates another dimension, including a mini-film for YSF.

But at the end of the day, it is always about the performance, and once again New Order reached for the skies. Bernard had a broken leg, but you could not tell, as he still did his Barney dancing, and ably steered the band. SM continued to show why Drum Magazine named him one of the top ten drummers in the world. Gillian demonstrated why her return was one of the most joyful events of recent history. Phil seemed liked he had been in the band forever. And Tom more than fully filled the sound void of you know who. The crowd was ace. A bit older than last year’s shows, but also more energetic and frenetic. The dancing was wild and robust – sometimes too much as when the couple behind me thought it was time to re-enact “Strictly Ballroom” behind me during Temptation. There was no greater sight, however, than turning around and seeing a sea of hands dancing in unison to Temptation and singing about eye color.

This was my 11th New Order show DC area (Warner Theater, Constitution Hall, MPP – 3 or 4); NYC area (Roseland, Meadowlands), Chicago (Aragaon), Toronto (Sony), and I have probably forgotten one. And unlike the Stones, who I saw in June, there was no sense that this may be the last time. They seemed very happy and desirous to keep touring.

Most concerts, my evening would end at this point, and I would drive home. But this night would only grow more special thanks to JG who is very well-connected to New Order management and the band. He got a bunch of us invited back stage and we got to meet the entire band. Often when you meet your idols, they tend of disappoint. Not in this case, however. New Order are as approachable and down-to-earth as you could ask for, especially given the fact that they are the seminal band of their generation, our generation, and hopefully the future generation. Their manager, Andy Robinson, was super fan-accommodating. New Order lived up to my lofty expectations and more. This is why I have bought every singled vinyl/CD/DVD/MP3 release of theirs, seen 10-11 concerts, and anxiously await the arrival of new music from them.

My sincere thanks to Who’s Joe for organizing the pre-show, to JG for facilitating the post-show experience of a lifetime, to New Order management, and to the band itself. Dreams never end, and they certainly did not last night.

nice write up DHLaw.

http://www.examiner.com/review/concert-review-new-order-live-at-merriweather-post-pavilion

As the members of New Order strolled onstage at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday night, lead singer Bernard Sumner casually announced "Hope you're going to enjoy the set. Here we go." With that, they calmly waltzed the audience into their show with the instrumental "Elegia." It was a brief moment of respite from what would become a New Order dance party.

After getting the crowd into the groove with "Crystal," New Order followed with a three-punch combo of their classics "Regret," "Ceremony" and "Age of Consent." If anyone remained seated during these songs it was either because they couldn't stand or they were completely dead inside.

Of course with New Order, a band that rose from the ashes of Joy Division, there was no way they could ignore their musical history. Sumner simply stated "Here's a song we wrote with Joy Division" when introducing "Isolation" and the crowd was happy for their personal music history lesson.

As for history, there was no mention of original bassist Peter Hook's absence, and new bassist Tom Chapman did a great job filling in those Hook-y bass lines. Drummer Stephen Morris proved you can create great dance beats playing a proper drum set and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert nonchalantly added those New Order synth hooks that are now and forever burned into our brains. Sumner sometimes flubbed a guitar lick and had to lower the vocal lines an octave every now and then, but, it turns out, he was performing with a bone fracture in his leg. I'm amazed he didn't scream bloody murder throughout the show.

When introducing "Bizarre Love Triangle," which will go down in history as one of the best and most influential songs of all time, Sumner seemed astounded by its appeal stating, "What is it about that song? I don't know. If I knew, I'd put it in every song we did." The audience was in no mood for examination and instead turned Merriweather Post Pavilion into a massive dance party, happily pogo-ing and dancing like Molly Ringwald as New Order continued with "True Faith," "5 8 6," "The Perfect Kiss," "Blue Monday" and "Temptation."

Ending the night with how their career began, Sumner asked, "Are there any Joy Division fans out there tonight?" and closed the show with three Joy Division songs. As pictures of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis flashed on the video screen, along with the message 'Forever Joy Division,' New Order closed out the show with "Atmosphere,""Shadowplay," and "Love Will Tear Us Apart." However, this was no memorial service but instead a musical celebration. When any band or artist's career is cut short, part of the loss is the idea of what that band could have become. There was no mourning here, because we know that that band became New Order.

SET LIST:

Elegia Crystal Regret Ceremony Age of Consent Isolation Here to Stay Krafty Your Silent Face World Bizarre Love Triangle True Faith 5 8 6 The Perfect Kiss Blue Monday Temptation

ENCORE: Atmosphere Shadowplay Love Will Tear Us Apart

Three days removed from the show and I finally found time to sit down and write my reflections. There are so many things I could say -- this was my seventh show. The sound was perfect. The band was tight, but the only words that keep running through my head are "Thank you."

Thank you JG and DHLaw for great company and pre-show drinks! (thanks to my brother for coming and being my DD.)
Thank you to Holy Ghost! for yet another great set. They are a true treat live and I anxiously look forward to the new disc this September. Thank you to New Order for another wonderful night! Great set and energy!

Thank you JG and Andy Robinson for making something happen I could never have dreamed up at the tender age of 15. Meeting your musical heroes 20 years after first discovering their music and becoming a fan was something for the ages. Meeting Stephen, Gillian, and Bernard was incredible. Sharing my story with Bernard, who was so very gracious with his time given the painful leg and shared a story of his own, was so special. Phil and Tom were fantastic as well -- getting to tell Phil how I first heard his music in Marion was fun and he was so nice! It was also great to meet Holy Ghost and Zac, great people and even better musicians!

I'll never forget this run of shows -- Oakland last fall, Philly with my wife and friends, and then Columbia. I wish I could do more but alas work and family do really come first for me now, but this band, this wonderful beautiful band will always be my favorite. Cheers to all! Enjoy the remaining shows and hopefully the wait for more won't be too long!

Linus Solanki wrote: http://www.examiner.com/review/concert-review-new-order-live-at-merriweather-post-pavilion

SET LIST:

Elegia Crystal Regret Ceremony Age of Consent Isolation Here to Stay Krafty Your Silent Face World Bizarre Love Triangle True Faith 5 8 6 The Perfect Kiss Blue Monday Temptation

ENCORE: Atmosphere Shadowplay Love Will Tear Us Apart

Same old shit 😈

Was there...one of their best shows ever in my book...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151721763979280.1073741826.745079279&type=1&l=8876e06444

Who's Joe? wrote: Three days removed from the show and I finally found time to sit down and write my reflections. There are so many things I could say -- this was my seventh show. The sound was perfect. The band was tight, but the only words that keep running through my head are "Thank you."

Thank you JG and DHLaw for great company and pre-show drinks! (thanks to my brother for coming and being my DD.)
Thank you to Holy Ghost! for yet another great set. They are a true treat live and I anxiously look forward to the new disc this September. Thank you to New Order for another wonderful night! Great set and energy!

Thank you JG and Andy Robinson for making something happen I could never have dreamed up at the tender age of 15. Meeting your musical heroes 20 years after first discovering their music and becoming a fan was something for the ages. Meeting Stephen, Gillian, and Bernard was incredible. Sharing my story with Bernard, who was so very gracious with his time given the painful leg and shared a story of his own, was so special. Phil and Tom were fantastic as well -- getting to tell Phil how I first heard his music in Marion was fun and he was so nice! It was also great to meet Holy Ghost and Zac, great people and even better musicians!

I'll never forget this run of shows -- Oakland last fall, Philly with my wife and friends, and then Columbia. I wish I could do more but alas work and family do really come first for me now, but this band, this wonderful beautiful band will always be my favorite. Cheers to all! Enjoy the remaining shows and hopefully the wait for more won't be too long!

Was great to meet you, and thanks so much for buying my record, appreciate the support! Hope you enjoyed it. We will see you at the next one!

Sorry this reply was so late.