New Order at Finsbury Park, London - 09/06/02
From the second New Order appear onstage we know this is going to be special. The afternoon's torrential downpours have lifted, a wan June evening sun appears... and then there's Hooky, legs akimbo, playing his bass down by the floor as only he can; there's Barny, proud of paunch and dad of dance, yelping and punching the air; there's Stephen, enormo-chinned automaton.
The first three songs give us a potted history of New Order; the new in the bombastic singalong 'Crystal', the naissance in Joy Division's 'Transmission', the ‘80s pop colossus of 'Regret'. Then Hooky dedicates 'Ceremony' to Dee Dee Ramone, saying, 'He can keep Ian company until I get there,' and there's hardly a dry eye in the place.
It's emotion, that's what New Order are; there's no need for filthy lucre reunion hype. They're a bunch of old fogeys and proud of it. Barny seems genuinely touched and amazed that we've trooped out today to see him and his band. And as such, they know exactly what the audience want and deliver, a hundred times over. Who'd have thought that Joy Division songs could have people grinning from ear to ear, singing along and hugging strangers? But tonight 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', 'Atmosphere', 'Digital' and 'Lose Control' invoke just that, and when informed that this is only the second time New Order have played the latter pair in 25 years it's impossible not to feel treated. Hell, A lot of people present weren't even born when these were last aired.
However, despite Joy Division's legacy and 24 Hour Party People's recent depiction of the financially bungling history of Factory Records, New Order's own legacy cannot be overshadowed this evening. As 'Temptation', 'World in Motion', 'Bizarre Love Triangle', 'True Faith', and a crackling 'Blue Monday' demonstrate, New Order possess some of the most unashamedly fine pop songs of the past two decades.
Despite the historical significance, this isn't an evening to look back, but instead an affirming celebration of the here and now. As an almost reflective 'Your Silent Face' heralds sunset and home, today we stand united, New Order and us. Together, heart and soul.
Luke Turner http://www.dismag.com/article.php?sid=lr&id=81
