I saw rumours on Facebook, but I'm still surprsed by this. A co-headlining tour.
[TWITTER]1231958208874311680[/TWITTER]
[TWITTER]1231957091725840386[/TWITTER]
The link in the scond tweet takes you to NewOrder.com
Dates
· UTC
New Order & Pet Shop Boys Unity Tour
Archived158 replies · 140,852 views
This is an archived legacy thread. Replies are closed, but the discussion is preserved.
← Back to Ceremony
159 posts
↑ First post
Latest post ↓
I am so skint it is unbelievable after seeing them in Miami and its going to take my finances a long time to recover so I shall almost definitely be giving this a miss but I would love to go the MSG show (not sure who would be headlining that night, I've seen the PSBs play live twice and it was OK rather than anything staggering so I wouldn't be too bothered about hanging round after NO to be honest).
September 30th here in SF. I'm so there.
And Kraftwerk 3-D just announced for June. I'm seeing sooooo many concerts this year.
I will probably do both California gigs to insure I see New Order in the headline slot.
They did this alternating business with the Bunnymen back in 1987 and I was a bit disappointed that New Order had the earlier slot on the night I attended.
50poundnote wrote: September 30th here in SF. I'm so there.
And Kraftwerk 3-D just announced for June. I'm seeing sooooo many concerts this year.
I've seen them twice at the wonderful Hollywood Bowl (1993 and 2017) but am wondering: How suitable a venue is Chase Center for a Techno-pop/gay disco concert?
So.... which shows will they be the headline performer? I can easily choose between Boston or NYC, and would rather they be the ones on later
· edited
Andy wrote: They did this alternating business with the Bunnymen back in 1987 and I was a bit disappointed that New Order had the earlier slot on the night I attended.
New Order has gone from The Fox (2,800), to The Bill Graham (4,000), to Berkeley's Greek (8,500), the last three times they played SF, while Pet Shop Boys stay at The Fox for every tour. I'm betting New Order will headline at Chase Center.
Andy wrote: How suitable a venue is Chase Center for a Techno-pop/gay disco concert?
Dunno...ask anyone who's seen PSB at Glastonbury or The O2. They play huge spaces all the time, just not in the US. ;)
50poundnote wrote:
Andy wrote: They did this alternating business with the Bunnymen back in 1987 and I was a bit disappointed that New Order had the earlier slot on the night I attended.
New Order has gone from The Fox (2,800), to The Bill Graham (4,000), to Berkeley's Greek (8,500), the last three times they played SF, while Pet Shop Boys stay at The Fox for every tour. I'm betting New Order will headline at Chase Center.
I suspect they will stick to the alternating with New Order headlining the first and last of the 11 shows. Which would mean PSB headlining in San Francisco.
· edited
50poundnote wrote:
Andy wrote: How suitable a venue is Chase Center for a Techno-pop/gay disco concert?
Dunno...ask anyone who's seen PSB at Glastonbury or The O2. They play huge spaces all the time, just not in the US. ;)
More about the venue (a basketball arena) than PSB. I've seen them at both The Warfield (the first time was in 1991) and at Irvine Meadows, which is a good-sized outdoor amphitheatre (Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre was an amphitheatre located in Irvine, California. The establishment was built in 1980 by Irvine Meadows Partnership and it opened in 1981. In 2016 the amphitheatre was closed and demolished. It was the largest amphitheatre in Orange County, with 10,418 reserved seats and 5,667 on the lawn. - wikipedia). I know they're up to the task.
· edited
This is pretty cool. I'd really be interested in this, if it was in the UK (although that would probably negate the need for a tour).
I wonder if either band will play Getting Away With It, Patience Of A Saint or Disappointed and invite Barney / Neil on stage to participate.
Andy wrote: I suspect they will stick to the alternating with New Order headlining the first and last of the 11 shows. Which would mean PSB headlining in San Francisco.
I don't see it.
New Order is a bigger draw here than Pet Shop Boys. PSBs have an easier rig to move offstage between sets, and who wants to go on after Love Will Tear Us Apart?
I'm not bothered either way. I love both bands and was anticipating a PSB show later this year. I was NOT anticipating a New Order show. And it'll be my first show at Chase Center.
Not sure if I'm reading too much into this but the TicketBastard site may be listing the headliner of the specific gigs.
50poundnote wrote:
Andy wrote: They did this alternating business with the Bunnymen back in 1987 and I was a bit disappointed that New Order had the earlier slot on the night I attended.
New Order has gone from The Fox (2,800), to The Bill Graham (4,000), to Berkeley's Greek (8,500), the last three times they played SF, while Pet Shop Boys stay at The Fox for every tour. I'm betting New Order will headline at Chase Center.
Eh, NO hasn't gone above Radio City both times they payed in NY. PSB played the Theater at MSG which isn't much smaller than Radio City. None of them would be playing MSG if they weren't co-headlining.
· edited
spooky wrote: this would be fantastic news!... if we were in 1989-90!
In the words of Sylvia Plath, too fuckin right. Wrong continent too. Bad Lefftennant toured with the Pets, who guested for three trax with the Lec in the Wembly gig too.
My ticket for the San Francisco gig arrived today.
Hoping this COVID-19 crap is history well before then...
While I would definitely go to this and the prospect of a few Electronic songs is certainly appealing...but PSB are horrid live. Well, Neil is...who knows what Chris is actually doing?
M1 wrote: PSB are horrid live. Well, Neil is...who knows what Chris is actually doing?
i’ve seen the PSB’s every time they’ve come out to the Los Angeles area up until the Release Tour. i’ve had no problems with their live shows. the Release Tour was also the beginning of when Chris would actually play live keyboards on a basis too. he was pretty much faking it up till that point.
· edited
spooky wrote:
M1 wrote: PSB are horrid live. Well, Neil is...who knows what Chris is actually doing?
i’ve seen the PSB’s every time they’ve come out to the Los Angeles area up until the Release Tour. i’ve had no problems with their live shows. the Release Tour was also the beginning of when Chris would actually play live keyboards on a basis too. he was pretty much faking it up till that point.
Fair enough. I love them to death but live they have always left me cold (have seen them twice). Neil's nasally vocals I just find unpleasant, the dancers / musical elements are really not my thing and yeah, Chris might as well be a carboard cutout (which is part of his charm I know but still...). But I need to check out more recent live footage where Chris is doing more than just pressing Enter on a MacBook.
Anyone know if these shows are still going to happen given the current situation? The PSB have already rescheduled their European dates to 2021.
trafaelwyr wrote: Anyone know if these shows are still going to happen given the current situation? The PSB have already rescheduled their European dates to 2021.
Yes, but their tour was to start in May. September is still 5 months away.
No announcement has been made.
trafaelwyr wrote: Anyone know if these shows are still going to happen given the current situation? The PSB have already rescheduled their European dates to 2021.
Even if no announcement is made, NY and LA are out until next year, so those would have to be rescheduled.
https://www.stereogum.com/2081321/nyc-la-mayors-say-dont-expect-any-large-concerts-this-year/news/
later -1
https://twitter.com/neworder/status/1260570515007311879
"New Order and @petshopboys unfortunately have to announce that our much-anticipated Unity Tour of North America, scheduled to start September 2020, will be moving to next year. We are rescheduling the tour to commence September 2021 and will announce the new dates shortly. Tickets for the original dates will remain valid for the new dates but refunds will be available if required in due course. Thank you for your understanding. Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you in 2021."
· edited
I can't see the London O2 show happening either, to be honest but I might see if I can get a ticket for the Hollywood Bowl show next year (if such a thing as concerts we can actually attend rather than watching on a screen are taking place by then).
The PSBs own European tour has been postponed again, so its looking a bit iffy for this tour taking place but there is still another 8 months or so before its due to start, I don't know how America is getting on with their vaccination programme but heres hoping shows on this scale can restart in the next six months.
Ken Doherty wrote:
I don't know how America is getting on with their vaccination programme but heres hoping shows on this scale can restart in the next six months.
that would be highly optimistic. i don't see concerts(this scale) coming back for a very long time.
It always cracks me up how people get up in arms about this kind of news. Can't even have two fuckers in a bar at the same time, what were the hopes for a fucking music festival?
' Tour put back to September 2022, with the added 'bonus' of Paul Oakenfold added to the lineup. PSB Twitter
New Order and Petshop Boys have started putting up posts (nothing too exciting, just a pink screen with some applause in the background) about these shows on their Instagram and Facebook pages, so it looks like they are finally actually happening (I have a ticket for the second Hollywood Bowl show with NO opening the show which I have had since January last year, it was supposed to be taking place on my birthday last year but is now happening two weeks before it so I guess it will be the mother of all pre-partys)
Ken Doherty wrote:
New Order and Petshop Boys have started putting up posts (nothing too exciting, just a pink screen with some applause in the background) about these shows on their Instagram and Facebook pages, so it looks like they are finally actually happening (I have a ticket for the second Hollywood Bowl show with NO opening the show which I have had since January last year, it was supposed to be taking place on my birthday last year but is now happening two weeks before it so I guess it will be the mother of all pre-partys)
If it's anything like their 2017 gig there (the best I've seen from the current lineup), you will have plenty to celebrate. I also saw them there in 1993, and even though that tour was substandard, it's such a lovely venue the atmosphere is automatically elevated.
I'm actually (pun intended) a bit disappointed (again!) with how the rescheduled dates were rejigged. I'm going to the 3 shows in California and originally, the San Francisco date (with PSB headlining) fell before those at the Hollywood Bowl. I considered the Bowl dates to be the finale to the tour, but now, the S.F. one in a basketball arena seems like an anticlimax. And then they head north to Washington and British Columbia.
One other thing, it makes sense to assume the headliner is the one listed first for each gig by Ticketmaster. But I've never seen this confirmed. Once the dates were rescheduled, the shuffled order (not using "new") meant they are no longer alternating gig by gig. I wonder if this will be addressed...
New Order have put some pictures up on Instagram and Facebook (I'm guessing also on Twitter) of their rehearsals for this, featuring Steven, Bernard and Gillian (no sign of the 'other' Other Two): I suppose its because of the fact these shows have been delayed so long already and they don't want any further postponements or cancellations at the last minute but is a bit disconcerting seeing Steven and Bernard waring face masks in the pictures.
· edited
some "slightly" different visuals and musical arrangements (from previous tours) for this show Got 1963 but no Electronic songs 16,000 sold out
Thanks to the Ticketmaster Gods for somehow upgrading my ticket at will call from 200 level seats to GA floors.
Real nice that 1963 got an airing. Have never personally seen them play either that or Age Of Consent (they always seem to play them at gigs I don't go to).
Very 'Music Complete-lite' (only Restless and Be A Rebel), which is surprising. Judging by the length of the PSBs setlist, they were the headliners of this particular evening. I expect there'll be more MC songs when New Order headline.
perspexorange wrote: Real nice that 1963 got an airing. Have never personally seen them play either that or Age Of Consent (they always seem to play them at gigs I don't go to).
Very 'Music Complete-lite' (only Restless and Be A Rebel), which is surprising. Judging by the length of the PSBs setlist, they were the headliners of this particular evening. I expect there'll be more MC songs when New Order headline.
They both got 1.5 hours...PSB songs are shorter that's why they played more i'd have thought
Must admit a bit disappointed no new songs, I thought they were working on some new stuff per Phil C. I thought as not in uk would air a new song like they did with Singularity and plastic.
· edited
lee wrote:
perspexorange wrote: Real nice that 1963 got an airing. Have never personally seen them play either that or Age Of Consent (they always seem to play them at gigs I don't go to).
Very 'Music Complete-lite' (only Restless and Be A Rebel), which is surprising. Judging by the length of the PSBs setlist, they were the headliners of this particular evening. I expect there'll be more MC songs when New Order headline.
They both got 1.5 hours...PSB songs are shorter that's why they played more i'd have thought
New Order played last.
While 1963 was somewhat unexpected, I'm more surprised they went with Restless over Singularity to represent Music Complete (Plastic was popular, but not a better song).
Of course this was only the first gig of the tour. It's certainly possible they have rehearsed 4 or 5 more tracks over and above the 14 that were played in Toronto (they played 19 at Heaton Park). The nature of this co-headlining tour will probably result in shorter, but hopefully more varied, sets from show to show.
I'm curious to see if they alter their set based on whether they're playing before or after Pet Shop Boys on a given night.
perspexorange wrote: Real nice that 1963 got an airing. Have never personally seen them play either that or Age Of Consent (they always seem to play them at gigs I don't go to).
I just checked and was convinced i had seen them play the above tracks but no my memory is clearly going.
Live in the arse end of nowhere now so would need a special trip to see them but would happily have travelled to see this tour anywhere in the uk.
Midnight Blue wrote: some "slightly" different visuals and musical arrangements (from previous tours) for this show Got 1963 but no Electronic songs 16,000 sold out
Thanks to the Ticketmaster Gods for somehow upgrading my ticket at will call from 200 level seats to GA floors.
Thanks. How were the psb? Would have been great to have had a few electronic tracks.
SEP 19 2022 at Leader Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA, USA
Different enough from the previous gig, though the overall structure is similar. I thought perhaps the encore might change based on whether they played before PSB or not. Not the case so far.
Academic and Plastic were swapped in for Restless and 1963.
Andy wrote: SEP 19 2022 at Leader Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA, USA
Different enough from the previous gig, though the overall structure is similar.
Academic and Plastic were swapped in for Restless and 1963.
I'm expecting that they will play the same set every night with those two placeholders in the setlist being swapped in and out for those 4 (and maybe 1 or 2 others - maybe Crystal and Krafty?)
Gillian likes to tweet pics of the rider when on tour. So far she doesn't seem impressed.
[TWITTER]1571291685291757570[/TWITTER]
[TWITTER]1571292314483687425[/TWITTER]
[TWITTER]1571945876226187265[/TWITTER]
[TWITTER]1571945939278888961[/TWITTER]
Bloody entitled freeloaders!! ![[;)]](/emoticons/wink.gif){kind=small}
They should bring packed-lunches, like the rest of us do. A Pot Noodle or something...
![[:d]](/emoticons/biggrin.gif){kind=small}
prog99 wrote:
Midnight Blue wrote: some "slightly" different visuals and musical arrangements (from previous tours) for this show Got 1963 but no Electronic songs 16,000 sold out
Thanks to the Ticketmaster Gods for somehow upgrading my ticket at will call from 200 level seats to GA floors.
Thanks. How were the psb? Would have been great to have had a few electronic tracks.
PSB were great too..perhaps even better! Less theatrics, dancers and staging than their own previous tours but expected due to the logistics of this tour. Futuristic and beautiful visuals.
SEP 21 2022 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD, USA
Vanishing Point makes it's first appearance this tour but otherwise similar to the previous show (Sub-Culture was dropped) .
You can't have an either/or between Subculture and Vanishing Point. That's just wrong!
Meanwhile Gillian is happier with the rider.
[TWITTER]1572693465053515779[/TWITTER]
From what i've read PSB seem to be getting the better reaction
It would be a good idea for them to drop be a rebel,academic,restless etc and have shellshock,sub culture,vanishing point in every set
Make it a better set for casual fans as there'll be a lot who have gone to see PSB
It's not your average new order gig....treat it most like bands treat festivals and give the crowd what they want
lee wrote: From what i've read PSB seem to be getting the better reaction
It would be a good idea for them to drop be a rebel,academic,restless etc and have shellshock,sub culture,vanishing point in every set
Make it a better set for casual fans as there'll be a lot who have gone to see PSB
It's not your average new order gig....treat it most like bands treat festivals and give the crowd what they want
Setlists are always a ripe topic of conversation for fans. If there was a clear, correct way of deciding what should be played, that wouldn't be the case.
The three Pet Shop Boys shows on this tour had identical setlists. I'm happy that New Order are mixing up theirs (even just a little bit) from show to show. There's always the compromise between what the feel they have to play, want to play and what's worth putting in the effort to also rehearse and program (not forgetting the visuals) to add variety.
One development I'm happy with is that there's fewer Joy Division tracks in the set. Whether this is down to their touring partners or not remains to be seen.
Andy wrote:
lee wrote: From what i've read PSB seem to be getting the better reaction
It would be a good idea for them to drop be a rebel,academic,restless etc and have shellshock,sub culture,vanishing point in every set
Make it a better set for casual fans as there'll be a lot who have gone to see PSB
It's not your average new order gig....treat it most like bands treat festivals and give the crowd what they want
Setlists are always a ripe topic of conversation for fans. If there was a clear, correct way of deciding what should be played, that wouldn't be the case.
The three Pet Shop Boys shows on this tour had identical setlists. I'm happy that New Order are mixing up theirs (even just a little bit) from show to show. There's always the compromise between what the feel they have to play, want to play and what's worth putting in the effort to also rehearse and program (not forgetting the visuals) to add variety.
One development I'm happy with is that there's fewer Joy Division tracks in the set. Whether this is down to their touring partners or not remains to be seen.
Yeah i really do get bored when at gigs and they play JD
I keep seeing things like 'biggest cheer of the night' 'best part of the night' about pics of ian or LWTUA
It's quite odd as i go to new order gigs with my mates....we're late 40's to 50 and there isn't one of us who's a jd fan and would like them to stop playing them
It was ok for a while when they started playing them but the novelty has well and truely worn off now
lee wrote:
Yeah i really do get bored when at gigs and they play JD
I keep seeing things like 'biggest cheer of the night' 'best part of the night' about pics of ian or LWTUA
It's quite odd as i go to new order gigs with my mates....we're late 40's to 50 and there isn't one of us who's a jd fan and would like them to stop playing them
It was ok for a while when they started playing them but the novelty has well and truely worn off now
I totally agree, and I'm a massive JD fan.
It was great back in 1998 when they started routinely playing them again. However, I'm a bit sick of the band's version of LWTUA etc. these days.
Bernard has never been a particularly great vocalist (although I obviously love his vocals), but his voice is totally shot these days. It was always going to be a big ask for him to do JD songs justice back in the 80s/90s. There's zero chance of him being able to do that these days.
Besides, if I go and see New Order, that's the band I want to see. JD ended on 18/05/80 and I don't really feel that anything more needs to be said, concert-wise.
That being said, the occasional playing of Decades, NDF or Disorder would be appreciated by me. I just get really bored of the encore being the usual rolling out of Transmission, Atmosphere and LWTUA. Let the encore be a heady mix of the band's best numbers: Temptation and TPK, for instance.
Meh, given the chance and/or choice these days i'd be more interested in seeing PSB than NO. Seen NO countless times but only saw PSB once, about 15 years ago. Would be interested in seeing them again.
I don’t mind them playing JD songs (2 max) as long as it’s not LWTUA! I always leave when that plays now, good way to beat the crush.
I love JD as well but Hooky is far better doing JD than current NO. I get my fix of JD seeing the light so NO should concentrate on NO.
JD tracks I’ve enjoyed in the past NO have played
Decades Transmission These days Disorder (there best effort) Isolation
SEP 23 2022 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
More changes and Unity Tour debuts (Transmission, Tutti Frutti and Guilt is a Useless Emotion. And the intro tape was Times Change instead of Das Rheingold: Vorspiel). They may not be pleasing the hardcore but I am impressed that each of the 4 nights have had (technically) unique sets from a pool of 20 songs.
1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCeremonyGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureTemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
Andy wrote: They may not be pleasing the hardcore but I am impressed that each of the 4 nights have had (technically) unique sets from a pool of 20 songs.
Yep. Credit where credit's due. Very nice that they are mixing it up. Makes it more interesting. If you're a Viking on tour with them, it must be nice to hear a bit of variety (obviously they also need to appeal to the masses who always want to hear BM etc.).
Yeah fair play to them for changing songs each night
Glad they've changed that intro too as i've never liked that wagner intro music and video and it's been used for a good few years now....the one they used at heaton park with times change was a lot better....manchester themed though obviously
lee wrote: Y i've never liked that wagner intro music and video
Do you like All Day Long? Cos there's y'know, a connection.
It all seems a little predicatable with the majority of the setlist 30 years old. I know we'll never get back to the 80s days of different sets every night but...I could do without Plastic, Restless, BM, Subculture, Shellcock!, and any JD, thats all.
tapebias wrote: It all seems a little predicatable with the majority of the setlist 30 years old. I know we'll never get back to the 80s days of different sets every night but...I could do without Plastic, Restless, BM, Subculture, Shellcock!, and any JD, thats all.
If we leave those out (Shellshock hasn't yet been played on this tour), that's still 14 tracks you deem worthy. Doesn't seem too bad.
I agree that quite a few have been in the set for a while, but Sub-Culture and Vanishing Point are more recent returns that seem to be welcomed by most people.
Debaser wrote:
lee wrote: Y i've never liked that wagner intro music and video
Do you like All Day Long? Cos there's y'know, a connection.
That comment's a little condescending don't you think?
But for the record yes i do like all day long and i'm well aware of the connection...i am a long term fan you know
I just find it a very drab way to start a concert...it doesn't work the way they stand there waiting for it to come to a sudden end before acknowledging the crowd
The manchester/times change intro worked far better at Heaton park...especially the way new order came onto the screen at the end
My opinion of coarse...if i'm allowed one![[uhoh]](/emoticons/uhh.gif){kind=small}
lee wrote:
Debaser wrote:
lee wrote: Y i've never liked that wagner intro music and video
Do you like All Day Long? Cos there's y'know, a connection.
That comment's a little condescending don't you think?
But for the record yes i do like all day long and i'm well aware of the connection...i am a long term fan you know
I just find it a very drab way to start a concert...
Yes maybe it was condescending. Back in the days (long) before they used that intro, someone here -I forget who- argued that "there are only so many notes you know" when I mentioned that All Day Long borrowed from Wagner. In other words they were saying that the similarity was a coincidence rather than acknowledging that...it wasn't. I coudn't prove he was wrong at the time, athough I think the use of the intro since then has done so (along with the tweet below from Hooky). As we sadly never get All Day Long live (this century), then for me this feels like this is as close as we're gonna get, so it's better than nothing. I may be a bit touchy about All Day Long because (a) we never get it live and (b) whoever argued with me (X number of years ago!) was wrong and I want it acknowledged!!
[TWITTER]1510338381783441408[/TWITTER]
The Shadow wrote: Nice to see LWTUA not ending as well. Cant remember hearing it mid set in many years?
My understanding is that Andy's list was an alphabetical list of all the songs played on this tour so far, rather than a specific gig setlist. LWTUA still finishes things off each night, assuming Setlist FM is correct.
· edited
Andy wrote: All Day Long was performed in 2020.
It was also played at all the MIF gigs in 2017: Setlist.fm
· edited
Andy wrote:
Andy wrote: All Day Long played was last performed in 2020.
It was also played at all the MIF gigs in 2017: Setlist.fm
...and also the 3 ∑ gigs in Austria and Italy in 2018: Setlist.fm
Well I knew about the MIF stuff but Bernard said they didn't count as normal gigs, so I ...didn't count em!
SEP 25 2022 at TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Another tour debut: Decades.
That brings the Unity Tour song pool to 21 tracks:
1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureTemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
I should mention that this has been the Pet Shop Boys set at each of the 5 shows:
SuburbiaCan You Forgive Her?Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) (U2/Frankie Valli cover)RentI Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any MoreSo HardLeft to My Own DevicesDomino DancingLove Comes QuicklyLosing My Mind (Stephen Sondheim cover)You Were Always on My Mind (Gwen McCrae cover)DreamlandHeartIt's Alright (Sterling Void cover)VocalIt's a Sin
Encore: West End GirlsBeing Boring
I know they're not a "band" and probably feel they've optimized their setlist. Unlike New Order, in a addition to the musical performance and visuals, they also have choreography to contend with. So I guess it's understandable. But I'm surprised they don't have a second variation to spice things up. I suspect the upcoming set in NYC will be the same as Brooklyn, but will the 2 Hollywood Bowl shows be carbon copies?
Andy wrote: SEP 25 2022 at TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Another tour debut: Decades.
That brings the Unity Tour song pool to 21 tracks:
1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureTemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
Still nothing that hasn't been in the set in the last few years, but at least the concept of a "tour" allows them to mix it up. I think we're all waiting for a surprise though Either a new song or something out the bag that hasn't been played since Hooky left. I suspect at this point in the tour - neither of those are likely to happen now
My money is on Crystal as the next one to get swapped in.
Andy wrote: SEP 25 2022
Another tour debut: Decades.
Uh oh, someone here isn't going to be happy!
Andy wrote:
You Were Always on My Mind (Gwen McCrae cover)
Gwen McCrae cover? Well I guess that's technically true, although Elvis was the first to have a hit with it.
Speaking of which, anyone seen the recent Elvis movie where Tom Hanks plays a c**t? SPOILER ALERT: Elvis dies on the toilet. But also SPOILER ALERT:[SPOILER]they didn't show that bit at all. Boo![/SPOILER] And once you've seen the film, watch the Honest Trailer. And if you like Honest Trailers: remember when we briefy got excited about Wonder Woman 1984 here...until we saw the film? The Honest Trailer for that is absolutely perfect.
Debaser wrote:
Andy wrote: SEP 25 2022
Another tour debut: Decades.
Uh oh, someone here isn't going to be happy!
Andy wrote:
You Were Always on My Mind (Gwen McCrae cover)
Gwen McCrae cover? Well I guess that's technically true, although Elvis was the first to have a hit with it.
I didn't do my research, just copy and paste, but yes it was the first released.
I did, however, notice the Setlist.fm entry didn't acknowledge that Where the Streets have No Name is a cover. So I did add that bit to my post here.
· edited
Since it's not completely off topic, do any of you fellow Pet Shop Boys fans have thoughts regarding their setlist?
I personally think 4 cover versions is too many. Always on My Mind and It's Alright are iconic, so deserve to be there. But I would have thought Go West would get the nod over Losing My Mind and Where the Streets have No Name. The latter 2 songs always struck me as being given "the PSB treatment" compared to the inspired versions of AoMM, IA and GW.
I understand the focus on the first 2 album's era, especially as their mainstream profile in the U.S. was far higher at that point than any other. But 7 (8 if you count AoMM) songs out of 19 seems a bit high. I would drop Heart. It may have been a UK #1, but feels like the runt of that period's litter now. There are plenty of tracks since then that did damage to the club charts even if they weren't troubling the pop charts here. And two of my favourite albums by them aren't represented at all (A Red Letter Day from Bilingual and Pandemonium from Yes, at the very least). And I love non-album single Flamboyant.
The last thing I would say is that I held out hope they'd include one of their underappreciated dance/electro oriented tracks that wasn't necessarily a pop hit. I know it was a long shot, but given their touring partners, I thought they might slip one of these beasts in:
some pictures of the merchandise from the pet shop boys forum:
Closer pic of the keychain:
More merch stall pics:
Notice the PSB USA hoodie.
later -1
SEP 28 2022 at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
Nothing new added to the pool. It was a good run.
An Excellent show at MSG in NYC, I missed the show in Barclay center in Brooklyn Friday night, NO put a great show, barney was in a good mood and very thankful, great show by NO, then after that PSB put on an Incredible show, what a combination of artists, hope they do it again, one thing sad I notice was that all the fans are very old now , I dont think I saw that many young people there, all 50s and above, are they going to tour in Europe with this Line up ?
I've seen a few comments on places like Reddit and various other music forums of rumours there will possibly be outdoor shows in Manchester and London next year but I'm taking those with a pinch of salt at the moment.
I'm not surprised by the age of majority of the people attending these shows, neither band has had massive mainstream chart success in the last few years and its not a particularly youth orientated style of music that either of them release (yes it would be nice to get some new music released by New Order but I don't want something with guest rappers and r & B vocalists)
If you're attending the Chicago Illinois gig tonight, be aware that they've moved the start time to 15 minutes earlier (maybe they're making room for a 586/Temptation/Everything's Gone Green medley).
Like No Other wrote: UK Unity Gig next year would be awesome - fingers crossed.
I'd love to see a joint tour in more intimate venues but probably unlikely. Somewhere you could take it easier rather than the relentless disco bangers, maybe some more ambient or spontaneous stuff rather than pressing play and singing over the top.
· edited
Andy wrote: If you're attending the Chicago Illinois gig tonight, be aware that they've moved the start time to 15 minutes earlier (maybe they're making room for a 586/Temptation/Everything's Gone Green medley).
SEP 30 2022 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago, IL, USA
Sorry Chicago. Not only were there no new songs added to the pool, the 13 song set was the shortest of the tour so far. Based on the announcement of the earlier start time, were sound curfew considerations to blame?
Edit: The setlist I linked to on the night was later edited to include the missing 14th track.
Andy wrote: Since it's not completely off topic, do any of you fellow Pet Shop Boys fans have thoughts regarding their setlist?
the PSB's are my second all time favourite band, with NO being the first. as far as the PSB set list, i find it sort of meh. having said that, i do understand why they choose to have a setlist like that. i would've preferred more variety since just like NO, they have a huge catalog to choose from. my concert days have long gone been over. can't deal with the hassle of them, and i never generally like being around people. i feel very fortunate to have seen both bands in their heyday a few times each. i will say that i really like the stage design for the PSB's current setup.
OCT 2 2022 at Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Back to a 14 track set with 2 song Joy Division encore.
Andy wrote:
Andy wrote: If you're attending the Chicago Illinois gig tonight, be aware that they've moved the start time to 15 minutes earlier (maybe they're making room for a 586/Temptation/Everything's Gone Green medley).
SEP 30 2022 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago, IL, USA
Sorry Chicago. Not only were there no new songs added to the pool, the 13 song set was the shortest of the tour so far. Based on the announcement of the earlier start time, were sound curfew considerations to blame?
Chicago was still 14 tracks, no? Same as the Boston setlist. Or did something get culled on the night?
They still have tracks in their tour locker which are unplayed as yet, but you can probably already guess what those are. TBH, given that they're up against a very sleek machine in the Pet Shop Boys I can't see them making many new choices now to try and mix it up.
El Jarvo wrote:
Andy wrote:
Andy wrote: If you're attending the Chicago Illinois gig tonight, be aware that they've moved the start time to 15 minutes earlier (maybe they're making room for a 586/Temptation/Everything's Gone Green medley).
SEP 30 2022 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago, IL, USA
Sorry Chicago. Not only were there no new songs added to the pool, the 13 song set was the shortest of the tour so far. Based on the announcement of the earlier start time, were sound curfew considerations to blame?
Chicago was still 14 tracks, no? Same as the Boston setlist. Or did something get culled on the night?
They still have tracks in their tour locker which are unplayed as yet, but you can probably already guess what those are. TBH, given that they're up against a very sleek machine in the Pet Shop Boys I can't see them making many new choices now to try and mix it up.
You're correct. My post linked to Setlist.fm that night, but an edit was later made to include the missing track.
· edited
Unity Tour song pool now up to 22 tracks:
1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCalifornia Dreamin'CeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureTemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
California Dreaming certainly a surprise.
Does Silent Face video has more LA footage as well? I have seen this live a few times I don't recall some of the footage. Love opening tribute to LA as well.
So...this is the first time I have seen them since 2014.
I do think they could have finished with Go West or something more anthemic. BB seems rather unknownish among casual PSB fans. Honestly though, even their Dreamworld setlist seems rather plain, and Unity Tour is a subset of that. No King's Cross? Cmon.
IMO, anything from Nightlife can be dropped.
I like most of the songs you mentioned. Also, check out Miserablism. Great b-side.
Andy wrote: Since it's not completely off topic, do any of you fellow Pet Shop Boys fans have thoughts regarding their setlist?
I personally think 4 cover versions is too many. Always on My Mind and It's Alright are iconic, so deserve to be there. But I would have thought Go West would get the nod over Losing My Mind and Where the Streets have No Name. The latter 2 songs always struck me as being given "the PSB treatment" compared to the inspired versions of AoMM, IA and GW.
I understand the focus on the first 2 album's era, especially as their mainstream profile in the U.S. was far higher at that point than any other. But 7 (8 if you count AoMM) songs out of 19 seems a bit high. I would drop Heart. It may have been a UK #1, but feels like the runt of that period's litter now. There are plenty of tracks since then that did damage to the club charts even if they weren't troubling the pop charts here. And two of my favourite albums by them aren't represented at all (A Red Letter Day from Bilingual and Pandemonium from Yes, at the very least). And I love non-album single Flamboyant.
The last thing I would say is that I held out hope they'd include one of their underappreciated dance/electro oriented tracks that wasn't necessarily a pop hit. I know it was a long shot, but given their touring partners, I thought they might slip one of these beasts in:
vince@LA wrote: California Dreaming certainly a surprise.
Does Silent Face video has more LA footage as well? I have seen this live a few times I don't recall some of the footage. Love opening tribute to LA as well.
The clips aren't entirely different but have been changed. Temptation used a lot of different footage.
I'm near the backstage area of The Hollywood Bowl listening to New Order's soundcheck. Instrumental version of 'Decades' sounded immense. They also went though a couple of others that weren't played last night (not new to the tour, though).
Andy wrote: I'm near the backstage area of The Hollywood Bowl listening to New Order's soundcheck. Instrumental version of 'Decades' sounded immense. They also went though a couple of others that weren't played last night (not new to the tour, though).
Cool stuff Andy!
I'm a bit jealous.
Andy wrote: California Dreamin'
It's nuts that they have such a big back catalog to dive into, and then they go to all the effort of rehearsing a cheesy cover based on (it seems nothing more than) the location they're playing. The YT footage I saw was pretty leaden
I guess they have form as they did similar in SF back in 2014 when they played San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
ROCK!
New Order retweeted: [TWITTER]1579008009157890049[/TWITTER]
(hope you enjoyed Bernard's vocals!)
is it wrong of me to prefer this version?
Incidentally I've only ever seen Bob Dylan live once. It was at London's Brixton Academy about ten years ago. He started the show with the Clash's London Calling. Maybe artists think the audience don't know where they are...
· edited
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: California Dreamin'
It's nuts that they have such a big back catalog to dive into, and then they go to all the effort of rehearsing a cheesy cover based on (it seems nothing more than) the location they're playing. The YT footage I saw was pretty leaden
I guess they have form as they did similar in SF back in 2014 when they played San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
I was at that 2014 San Francisco gig also. Same vibe. It's novel and the crowd goes nuts. But before the song is finished, you're thinking of something, anything they should have played instead.
OCT 8 2022 at Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, USA
It was bit bold for them to follow Temptation with Decades in the main set. Better there than next to California Dreamin', I suppose.
I've almost given up hope that 'Everything's Gone Green' might be reintroduced into the setlist.
I know it's pie-in-the-sky to wish for tracks like 'Chosen Time', 'Hurt' and 'Sunrise' (either 'too old' or 'too Hooky'), but surely EGG is not outside the realms of possibility.
Gotta be better than 'California Dreaming'.
Andy wrote:
I was at that 2014 San Francisco gig also. Same vibe. It's novel and the crowd goes nuts. But before the song is finished, you're thinking of something, anything they should have played instead.
Bets on them playing SanFrancisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) again tonight, or sticking with California Dreaming, as they're still technically in CA.
What will they play in Seattle after this? I'm calling Smells Like Teen Spirit
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote:
I was at that 2014 San Francisco gig also. Same vibe. It's novel and the crowd goes nuts. But before the song is finished, you're thinking of something, anything they should have played instead.
Bets on them playing SanFrancisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) again tonight, or sticking with California Dreaming, as they're still technically in CA.
What will they play in Seattle after this? I'm calling Smells Like Teen Spirit
My heart is set on neither.
I agree. Although could be kind of interesting if they do a UK tour. Streets of London, Fog on the Tyne, I belong to Glasgow, Ferry cross de Mersey etc.
Another Unity Tour debut from Music Complete being soundchecked.
No spoilers...[It's been played occasionally on previous tours. Not actually a live debut].
Soundcheck over. They worked on 3 songs not played at either of the Hollywood Bowl shows I attended (2 NO, 1 JD).
vince@LA wrote: Argh! Did they play Vanishing Pt at SF? I was hoping they played that in LA.
Yes. Medley with BLT. Also, Transmission and Superheated* which also weren't played at either Hollywood Bowl show.
*Unity Tour debut
Andy wrote:
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote:
I was at that 2014 San Francisco gig also. Same vibe. It's novel and the crowd goes nuts. But before the song is finished, you're thinking of something, anything they should have played instead.
Bets on them playing SanFrancisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) again tonight, or sticking with California Dreaming, as they're still technically in CA.
What will they play in Seattle after this? I'm calling Smells Like Teen Spirit
My heart is set on neither.
No California cheese!
Unity Tour song pool now up to 23 tracks: 1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCalifornia Dreamin'CeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureSuperheated TemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
Andy wrote: Unity Tour song pool now up to 23 tracks: 1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCalifornia Dreamin'CeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureSuperheated TemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
That's after 11 gigs on the Unity tour as I make it?
Interesting to see that The Cure are touring too - 4 dates in and The Cure have already played 36 different songs!
· edited
Andy wrote:
vince@LA wrote: California Dreaming certainly a surprise.
Does Silent Face video has more LA footage as well? I have seen this live a few times I don't recall some of the footage. Love opening tribute to LA as well.
The clips aren't entirely different but have been changed. Temptation used a lot of different footage.
The Vanishing Point visuals are entirely different from what I last saw in 2018. No more signs of jellyfish. All celestial animations now.
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: Unity Tour song pool now up to 23 tracks: 1963AcademicAge of ConsentBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCalifornia Dreamin'CeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureSuperheated TemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
That's after 11 gigs on the Unity tour as I make it?
Interesting to see that The Cure are touring too - 4 dates in and The Cure have already played 36 different songs!
Bob's getting lazy. They played 50 at one gig back in 2013: Setlist.fm
OCT 14 2022 at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, USA
Unity Tour song pool now up to 24 tracks:
1963 Academic Age of Consent Atmosphere Be a Rebel Bizarre Love Triangle Blue Monday California Dreamin' Ceremony Decades Guilt is a Useless Emotion Love Will Tear Us Apart The Perfect Kiss Plastic Regret Restless Sub-Culture Superheated Temptation Transmission True Faith Tutti Frutti Vanishing Point Your Silent Face
The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
Andy wrote: [
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
Getting away with it![[hi]](/emoticons/hi.gif){kind=small}
Andy wrote: The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
I'm still holding out for Crystal - surely the one they've played most over the past few years that has yet to make an appearance?
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
I'm still holding out for Crystal - surely the one they've played most over the past few years that has yet to make an appearance?
I imagine Singularity gives it a run for the money, and it hasn't appeared. It really should be the go-to track to represent Music Complete. Restless and especially Academic are pretty good live, but can't match its power.
Superheated was a welcome addition for me in San Francisco, but only selfishly as I don't think I've been at a gig where it had been played. Plastic has lost its allure for me. The acapella outro is never a highlight. The only other MC songs that they've ever performed are Tutti Frutti and People on the High Line [not on this tour], but Elly's canned vocals always made me uncomfortable. I would have welcomed Nothing but a Fool and Unlearn this Hatred, but I think that ship has sailed.
Andy wrote:
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
I'm still holding out for Crystal - surely the one they've played most over the past few years that has yet to make an appearance?
I imagine Singularity gives it a run for the money, and it hasn't appeared. It really should be the go-to track to represent Music Complete. Restless and especially Academic are pretty good live, but can't match its power.
Superheated was a welcome addition for me in San Francisco, but only selfishly as I don't think I've been at a gig where it had been played. Plastic has lost its allure for me. The acapella outro is never a highlight. The only other MC songs that they've ever performed are Tutti Frutti and People on the High Line [not on this tour], but Elly's canned vocals always made me uncomfortable. I would have welcomed Nothing but a Fool and Unlearn this Hatred, but I think that ship has sailed.
This has been nagging me for a few days, so I looked it up on the gigography site: The Game was another Music Complete track that was played live. It was debuted at one of the 2016 Tokyo gigs but dropped after 3 performances. On a personal note, I was also wrong about Superheated - they performed it at the 2017 Berkeley, CA gig I attended.
*I'm killing time waiting for tonight's setlist to post. New Order should have finished 3 hours before me writing this...
OCT 16 2022 at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC, Canada
As it is When it Was performed for the first time since 1993.
Final tally of Unity Tour song pool is 25:
1963AcademicAge of ConsentAs it is When it WasAtmosphereBe a RebelBizarre Love TriangleBlue MondayCalifornia Dreamin'CeremonyDecadesGuilt is a Useless EmotionLove Will Tear Us ApartThe Perfect KissPlasticRegretRestlessSub-CultureSuperheatedTemptationTransmissionTrue FaithTutti FruttiVanishing PointYour Silent Face
Setlist was posted on the site but song after Your Silent Face was listed as "unknown". I edited it in myself after seeing footage and discussion of it on Twitter (I'm AndyIsListening on there if you're not getting enough music chat here...).
· edited
Nice to see AIIWIW make it back.
Takes me back to Reading 1993; my first NO gig.
Lovely song.
Really nice change in arrangement towards the end too. Fab!
perspexorange wrote: Nice to see AIIWIW make it back.
Takes me back to Reading 1993; my first NO gig.
Lovely song.
Really nice change in arrangement towards the end too. Fab!
Really good to see that one back - another one that always felt like a "Hooky number", so a big surprise
That said, it sounded like the bass was not quite ahem, shall we say played according to the record, and that ending sounded suspiciously like a mistake/collapse rather than a new arrangement
Almost like old New Order are back!
· edited
Now that is a surprise. Sounded from that clip there was some synth strings introduced to the song.
Johnny James wrote: https://twitter.com/FACT290/status/1581889315940241408
I was a bit confused at first as I was going to post the setlist on here before going to sleep (I'm in California). There was a longer than normal wait for someone to put it on Setlist.fm so I checked Twitter. The first thing I saw was someone posting about the show but including a photo of the Toronto setlist instead. It wasn't until I saw John's post of Norbert's video that things became clear. A great way to end the tour.
Great that they played it but curious what the thinking is to leave it to the very last night of the tour to try something like that.
Fotz wrote: Great that they played it but curious what the thinking is to leave it to the very last night of the tour to try something like that.
I know what you mean. It's arguably the most surprising track to have been played during the tour. Then again, that might be the reason. Would there be so much discussion if the final night reveal was Guilt... or Superheated?
I want to believe it's a combination of doing something for the hardcore (I imagine a large portion of the crowd were unfamilar with it) and the band keeping things interesting for themselves.
It certainly gives me hope for future gigs.
What a journey it's been. Really hope they had played a few different numbers for the 2 nights in LA (sans Cali Dreaming that is). Thanks to Johnny for posting the tweet for As It Is When It Was.
Andy thanks for keeping this thread alive with your setlist and postings updates etc! Til next time.
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
I'm still holding out for Crystal - surely the one they've played most over the past few years that has yet to make an appearance?
I don't get the Crystal thing at all - it's not like they haven't played it many times as a 5-piece already. It was never in the setlist for the US gigs though.
Same way as I just don't get them playing Guilt quite so often but they clearly like playing it (although, in Philadelphia Barney joked only 2 people in the audience even knew the track!)
Fair play for giving AIIWIW an airing (I don't believe PSB played any obscure(ish) album tracks in their sets?) and I guess it makes it even more special just playing it the once!
There was a couple more tracks lined up as part of the US setlist which went unplayed but nothing to get excited about.
El Jarvo wrote:
GotBlueEyes wrote:
Andy wrote: The Perfect Kiss played after going M.I.A. since Chicago two weeks age. Atmosphere makes its first Unity Tour appearance.
Is there anything left in the locker for the final show on Sunday night in Vancouver?
I'm still holding out for Crystal - surely the one they've played most over the past few years that has yet to make an appearance?
I don't get the Crystal thing at all - it's not like they haven't played it many times as a 5-piece already. It was never in the setlist for the US gigs though.
Same way as I just don't get them playing Guilt quite so often but they clearly like playing it (although, in Philadelphia Barney joked only 2 people in the audience even knew the track!)
Fair play for giving AIIWIW an airing (I don't believe PSB played any obscure(ish) album tracks in their sets?) and I guess it makes it even more special just playing it the once!
There was a couple more tracks lined up as part of the US setlist which went unplayed but nothing to get excited about.
I didn't mean that I was holding out for it as in - I wanted to hear it. I've heard it enough, and it always sounds odd with the backing vocal on tape
I meant I was holding out for my bet that it was one in the latter day "song pool" that they hadn't swapped in yet
Curious to know what the other couple of tracks on the list were that went unplayed. Singularity maybe one?
· edited
They've had a busy few years and deserve a well earned rest now. Hopefully a few UK mega-gigs next year to keep the fans happy before they ease into retirement.
tapebias wrote: They've had a busy few years and deserve a well earned rest now...
You mean they've been absolutely coining it on the live circuit (grossing what? half a million per night?) and haven't put out out a new album for 7 years, so now they need a rest to count how many more millions they each have in their bank accounts?
Exactly. But you never know, they might polish up another 35 year old song for when they next play live. Or perhaps remix Be A Rebel again. Blue Monday's 40th anniversary is coming up if they haven't thought of that one yet. Maybe some Spezial BM trainers.
I imagine there will be UK dates announced soon. The crew and all that gear are assembled so why not keep it rolling? We can hope that they're working on new music (as Tom suggested in an interview a few months back), but they take so long nowadays surely they will gig before anything emerges from the sessions.
Phil and Tom have Sea Fever gigs through the end of November so there's probably nothing happening with New Order until 2023.
Another video of As It Is When It Was in Vancouver has turned up
From nearer the stage, so you can really see what a cods they make of it. The intro is a shambles, Tom plays the bass part completely wrong on every chorus and Steve finishes 4 bars too early
Welcome back old New Order!
I’ve always loved this song, hope it remains in the set. Apart from the start and end sounded pretty good. I’d certainly be singing along if they play it in the uk sometime soon.
I got back from seeing them in LA last Friday then went away for a few days so am only putting my thoughts into writing now. I was at the second Hollywood Bowl show, the choice of songs in the main set was OK but there were no proper surprises for anyone who has seen NO more than a couple of times (apart from that dreadful version of California Dreaming at the end ): I was kind of disappointed to read about the shows they played after and hearing that stuff like As It Is When It Was is getting played but I've seen them play stuff like Fine Time and World in the last couple of years so I was happy enough with what we got.
Main thoughts were how into it the band seemed to be, Bernard was really getting into it, bantering with the people down the front (I was in the eighth row and wasn't tempted to go right down the front) and starting singsongs: last time I saw them was the O2 show last year and they seemed to be going through the motions, it cheered me up to see they were enjoying themselves and making a proper effort: first class sound in an outdoor venue this size as well, its probably because the Bowl has not got proper neighbours to complain about the noise but it was properly loud (without going in a MBV/Mogwai level of volume) and sounded clear. While the beers were expensive, I thought it was a top notch venue (they need to sort out the signs once you're in though) and unlike places like Wembley Arena its not in the arse end of nowhere, I was staying about a ten minute walk from there.
It was a once in a lifetime type of show, I've now seen them in LA, NYC, Miami, Paris and pretty much all the decent sized London venues and to be honest I don't know where else that they haven't played at that I would bother going to see them but hopefully it won't be too long until we get more shows in the UK.
NO have done a list of alll the tour songs, like Andy's but theirs isn't in alphabetical order. Nice font though.
[TWITTER]1582814338607468544[/TWITTER]
Debaser wrote: NO have done a list of alll the tour songs, like Andy's but theirs isn't in alphabetical order. Nice font though.
[TWITTER]1582814338607468544[/TWITTER]
Saw that. They left out Tutti Frutti.
Ken Doherty wrote: I got back from seeing them in LA...
The 2nd show was definitely louder, sounded good for an outdoor venue.
Andy wrote:
Debaser wrote: NO have done a list of alll the tour songs, like Andy's but theirs isn't in alphabetical order. Nice font though.
[TWITTER]1582814338607468544[/TWITTER]
Saw that. They left out Tutti Frutti.
They've now deleted the tweet and also their FB post.
Not sure if it was just because TF was missed off? (And Transmish was listed twice!) ![[clown]](/emoticons/icon_smile_clown.gif){kind=icon}
It sounded ok in that second cip and they even did (or at least attempted) the acoustic intro like the album version rather than the bass intro for live which Hook always did back in the day. Couldn't hear or find fault in Tom's bass parts but maybe i'm deaf.
tour seems to be doing well.
was on number 10 on pollstar for last week:
later -1
This posted to Facebook Events...legit or wishful thinking Aussie people? https://www.facebook.com/events/the-mann-center-for-the-performing-arts/new-order-pet-shop-boys-the-unity-tour/520649382395265/
I finally got round to reading the 2023 edition of the Pet Shop Boys Annually book, in which they offer some insights into The Unity Tour.
It was originally Chris Lowe's idea: "I just thought it would be something I'd like to go and see. I thought it would be fun touring with them."
In early 2019, at the Pet Shop Boys' instigation, their agents spoke with New Order's agents. The feedback was enthusiastic, the principle agreed, and in due course a dinner in Manchester was arranged between the Pet Shop Boys and New Order's Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, as well as their respective managers.
One subject Chris remembers being discussed over dinner was whether they should explore playing a song together, and if so what that song would be. "We didn't come up with one" Chris says. "I suggested 'World in Motion'." While the seemingly obvious collaboration for this tour would have been "Getting Away with It", Neil pointed out that only 2 of the current 7 members of the two bands actually appeared on the original track. In any case, the idea of a collaboration was scrapped because neither group particularly wanted to have to hang around to make second appearences every night.
The tour's name, though, was a collaboration. Chris's initial proposal was that it be called "United". Bernard countered with "Unity".
Though they hadn't met until the work with Electronic, Neil remembers "We then met other members of New Order gradually. I remember once we all went over to Stephen and Gillian's farm for a barbecue, for instance. So that was very much the beginning of a friendship, which has continued for all these decades. It's always great to see them. Which goes back to what Chris was saying, of why we wanted to do it - because we thought it would be fun. And indeed it was fun."
There are plenty of anecdotes about the various dates on the tour, but I found this most interesting: At the end of the tour, everyone had dinner together in Vancouver. "And everyone agreed that they'd enjoyed it," says Neil. Consequently, there is a possibility that further Unity dates might happen. "I think we could say there is a prospect," says Neil. "There are discussions that are going to take place about doing further gigs."
"I hope we do," says Chris, "because it was a lot of fun".
"it felt like, says Neil, "to use our age-old word, an event. It felt like an event for us and for the audience."
"It wasn't," concludes Chris, "a disaster".
Thanks for posting this, Andy. Really enjoyed reading it.
Here's hoping they bring the Unity Tour to the UK. I've never seen the PSBs live but am a massive fan of their 80s stuff (some other good stuff after that, but the first three LPS are, IMHO, where the truly great stuff lies).
My last New Order concert was at Bristol in 2019. I realised that Barney was looking as old as ME. I couldn't handle it anymore. I now watch Spice Girls videos..in black and white😎
