What moments, for you, encapsulate the strange passion that drives us to listen to these people. Little things that explain it all far better than anything. to start off I will offer two of my own, two moments that always make all my hairs stand on end, and create a lump in my throat.
(in no order)
In the video for TPK, watch Gillian really closely, as she's doing the front panel mixing at the start (Gillian's front panel mixing in itself is a pretty special thing), JUST as she finishes and is about to turn away, she pauses for about a 1/10 of a second, and just there, just in that split moment, this little look crosses that sweet face of hers, and it just says either "These are my machines, in whom I am well pleased" or maybe it's,( read this as Farmer Hoggat) "That'll do synths, that'll do". Pure New Order Bliss.
Any gig where they dander on stage as unconcerned as you like, barney glides up to the mic and mutters summat like "ello we're new order" in a little voice, and the place EXPLODES. that's good, but lots of bands get that, but what makes NO different is that then Hooky's bass says hello with a BDRRRNNRRRRNNN and gets just as large or an even bigger cheer. Magic Moments.
EDIT: If you have the NYC show, put krafty on very loud, and hear what it sounds like when however many people were there (what 15,000 or so from the sound of it) allshout either "FFFUUUUUUUUCK" or just some inarticulate noise as Hooky's bass comes in at the RIGHT level ( ie not the crappy turned down blaspehmy on the studio version)