...continued.
- 2016.3.19 Los Angeles (Shrine Auditorium) I was very excited for this gig as it was my first since the release of Music Complete (their only U.S.appearance in 2015 had been at the Day for Night Fest in Texas). I was hoping for a reenergized set with the inclusion of more new tracks. They indeed performed 6 tracks from their new (-ish by this point) album, which was generous. But I'd already seen them do "Singularity" and "Plastic" in 2014. "Academic" and "Restless" remain great tracks, and I was delighted to hear them live, but they are never going to be received as strongly live as some of the classics they supplanted. While I'm totally fine with that, I could see how people that hadn't been to previous gigs would be disappointed by them not playing tracks x, y or z. Also new for me were "Tutti Frutti" and "People on the High Line", the pleasure of seeing them play something new overshadowing my discomfort with so many prerecording vocals wafting out of the P.A. (the opinion on this has definitely shifted over the years). But alas, the structure of the set (a bit mix-n-match towords the early part with electro bangers always at the end of the main set and a JD encore) remained unchanged. But "Singularity" and "Temptation" were certainly bookends that are tough to beat. I remember it was very enjoyable at the time, but in retrospect, these static setlists make the gigs less memorable as there isn't enough variety to distinguish them from each other.
DJ Whitney Fierce and Run, Run, Run were the support but I believe I only saw a bit of the latter as longtime girlfriend Theresa and I were mingling in the enormous lobby area (The Shrine is where many of the Gala events in the U.S. are held such as the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, etc). I distinctly recall running into FAC51 (local Steve and his wife Kelly) and the venerable JG. Norbert was possibly also looming around. Theresa had been less enthusiastic about the 5 hour drive down to L.A. for the gig with a return trip the following day to accomodate our work schedules. I was up to meet with the Vikings after the gig, but she wasn't, and I opted instead to accompany my grumpy gal back to our hotel. We stayed together another 3+ years, but the drifting apart had already begun. Anyhoo!: LosAngelesSetlistLosAngelesSetlist
2017.4.21 Berkeley (Greek Theatre) Thirty years on from my first New Order gig at this very same venue, and I was back. The atmosphere of the Greek was still fantastic. Two new song experiences for me were "Superheated" and a powerful version of "Decades" (Theresa even commented on the emotional impact of Joy Division track afterwards, not being as familiar with JD's work as NO). I say afterwards because I went down towards the front without her and found a spot next to Viking, Dr. NO (aka Rocky) and adjacent to Norbert. Rocky and I agreed that we shouldn't try to move further towards the middle as it would introduce the possibility of being behind the big man, which would be suboptimal. However, this was my first expericence being near the enthusiastic Doctor. When the songs started kicking in, his passion was infectious, but (and I hope he's not reading this because I've mentioned it to him several times) he's essentially a one man moshpit, where no neighboring people's toes are safe. While it's getting redundant to mention the setlist structure, on a positive note, 17-18 songs per set is much more than you'd get in the old days. And I hadn't felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth. BerkeleySetlist
2017.9.18 Hollywood (Hollywood Bowl) A few months later in 2017 and 24 years after seeing the soul destroying nadir of New Order concerts here 1993, I was back in one of the most beautiful venues in California (either this or the Santa Barbara Bowl ranks tops for me). I traveled to this gig alone. Between the 5 hour drive, and the fact Theresa doesn't like Los Angeles (despite the size of the city, she's one of the few people I've met that have lived and was actually born there), I decided not to bother convincing her to go with me. Thankfully, the MIF gigs were still at this point having an influence on setlists. I was thrilled to hear "Disorder" early in the set, with "Ultraviolence" following it. I appreciated that they weren't just phoning it in with the hits for the L.A. crowd. Even a track from the usually ignored Technique appeared with the "Bizarre Love Triangle" segue into "Vanishing Point". Another vivid highlight was the enormous roar of the crowd once they recognized the intro to "Sub-Culture". It was epic. This was probably my favourite concert (so far?) of the current lineup and 19 tracks was quite generous. Also, Goldfrapp were the support. Great concert and experience all around. I still owe FAC51 a meal after being treated to tacos by him before the gig. HollywoodSetlist
2018.9.29 Long Beach (Music Tastes Good Festival on the Marina Green) An interesting festival purporting to blend the best of music and food. And the Long Beach coastline is a lovely destination (the Queen Mary was just across the harbour). The decent lineup also featured another favourite group of mine, The Church, performing their 1988 album Starfish. Theresa was even up for it. It was, however, our last New Order gig together (we broke up in 2019 after over 20 years together). The group did not disappoint. They were on top form but unfortunately only had time to perform an 11 song set. Leave 'em wanting more, I guess. LongBeachSetlist
I believe they only came to the U.S. once the following year, for one gig on the east coast (Miami, Florida), discounting the Tibet House appearance. They also returned to Miami for a 4 gig residence in early 2020 that I was so very close to booking. I still regret not going considering the wait until the next opportunity.
tbc...
![[ohwell]](/emoticons/ohwell.gif){kind=small}
2002-01-20 Gold Coast AU - Big Day Out
2002-01-23 Sydney AU - Hordern Pavilion
2012-03-03 Brisbane AU - Future Music Festival
2016-06-04 Sydney AU - Opera House / Vivid
2016-06-05 Sydney AU - Opera House / Vivid
2020-03-11 Sydney AU - Hordern Pavilion