Right, having had a chance to accept Karen's gratitude for taking her to her first New Order gig ;) I shall do my best to stick it all down in black and white.
Before I say anything about the gig itself though, I must say what a top weekend it was. Met many new people, all of whom were fellow travellers in pursuit of the well-known pleasures that are the Order. Beers by the shedful, some great banter, fond remembrances, all kinds of things Orderish. And that was just the Eurostar over there !
As Jarvo has said elsewhere, Paris is the City of lurve, and the presence of Karen certainly added an extra dimension to your average New Order show. Her first, my 50th, and she went away suitably impressed.
Oh yes, the gig. Though the playing was tight and pretty rock-out in places, after six songs I was fearing the worst, seeing as these were the same as at Brixton and most other places last year. I could just about see the autocue from my vantage point in front of Hooky though, and knew track 7 had a short title. Certainly wasn't expecting Brutal though. While it isn't a favourite, it sounded OK to me. Close Range was the highlight of the set (strange, but true to me) as it really kicked in whereas it hasn't always sounded quite as powerful. I may even listen to Get Ready again now.
Glad to hear that they have finally learned how to play She's Lost Control (after the two fucked-up attempts at Slough and Orleans in 85). BLT actually sounded ok to make a change, a bit bassier, and True Faith filled another 5 minutes I suppose. Temptation sounded like it always does, wonderful, and though LWTUA was hampered by a broken Hooky G-string, it was still a good, if predictable ending.
Digital had balls. Slower than the 22-year-ago versions, but beefed up with two guitars and shared vocals from Hooky. Had an interesting chat with Jim Reilly about it afterwards, who would have preferred it a bit quicker. RTS just doesn't float my boat at all, but moreso than Blue Monday, even though they both sounded ok. Nobody expected a second encore after that, Stash turned round to me and said he couldn't believe it. Your Silent Face was a top climax, which sadly became Your Silent Bass after the bass amp and drums packed up mid-song. YSF was listed on the set-list (As I'm sure Jarvo will scan soon), albeit with question marks.
Once the ritual gathering of set-lists, drum sticks and such like had been completed, it was with some delight that we found that Jonathan Scott had managed to secure 25 aftershow passes for us all !!! This was twice in two hours that JS had come up trumps, having very kindly put the hitherto ticketless Karen on the guest list. Nice one JS, suffice to say that respect has been earned :)
After a few beers in the bar outside the gig until 2am, we retired wearily to the Comfort Hotel, maybe not Touched By The Hand of God, but certainly touched by the spirit and the feeling that is a New Order gig.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to what was a very enjoyable weekend, almost in chronological order of meeting them on the Saturday morning.....Johnny Giles & Leeds Matt, Jarvo and Paula, Dave "Hibble" Hibell, Darren, Liv, Kezzie, Cheeky Monkey, Mickey Way and Tania, Gordy, Gary, Alex the Red, Jonathan Scott, Colin and all the Manchester peeps, Jim Reilly and mate, David Sultan and anyone else who beer or simply crapness has caused me to forget. The highlight for many people, myself included, was winning the setlist sweep, and getting Alex to pay up !!!!
Special thanks to Jarvo for doing the ticket honours, Collette for sorting the hotel, to Jonathan Scott for coming up trumps on the ticket front, and to Karen for just being so patient, tolerant and the perfect companion. A convert, no doubt about it.
Thirteen days to Finsbury !!
EWWWWWWWW!! Doesn't bear thinking about!
I am most honoured..... I'd better get the bunting and roll out the red carpet as a consequence of this canny rechristening!! 