Whacky visuals, lucid soundscapes and light up boob cones were just a few of the things experienced at the New Order gig on Sunday night, 41 years since their first performance in Ireland. This was not a night for the faint-hearted, as the two singers from Confidence Man leapt onto the stage to open the show. The name of this duo made complete sense once you witnessed the no-inhibitions approach to their erotic, wild dance moves. My friend and I glanced at each other in awe every few minutes at the thrusting and hip shaking of the two popstars, so full of vigour and vibrancy – their demeanour a little more demonstrative than that of New Order’s.
“New Order’s music strikes the perfect balance between post-punk and electronic pop, allowing for moments of soul-stirring ecstasy amidst funky melody lines.”
What followed was the tightening of generations, the crowd swaying in sync to the sound of Sumner’s charmingly aged voice, even after admitting his disregard for our beloved Guinness. The band plummeted into a synth-filled show of nostalgia and remembrance, filling the arena with the distinct sounds of popping bass and electric keys. New Order’s music strikes the perfect balance between post-punk and electronic pop, allowing for moments of soul-stirring ecstasy amidst funky melody lines.
The awe-striking, disco-pomp melody of “Blue Monday” had been much awaited by fans, and it was all the sweeter when guitarists Chapman and Cunningham took centre stage to pump out the final bass line. Displayed behind them was an array of shapes, colours and orbits, bringing us back to the 80s in a party fever disco night.
A fellow of about six-foot-seven appeared beside us midway through the concert, his nonchalance slightly intimidating, arm waving up and down like a teenage boy at a disco. The other side of us was a youngish group of friends with pints, posing for photos, quietly enjoying the music without fuss.
“Between the grins of the guitarists and the awkward smirks on Sumner and Gilbert’s phlegmatic faces, it was the perfect balance of modesty, sincerity and pure rapture.”
“Your Silent Face” saw Sumner whipping out his melodica, its dramatic entrance making his earnest rendition of the sombre melody line all the more poignant. Gilbert, the band’s keyboardist, kept a sort of deadpan expression throughout, adding to the song’s undercurrent of sadness. Between the grins of the guitarists and the awkward smirks on Sumner and Gilbert’s phlegmatic faces, it was the perfect balance of modesty, sincerity and pure rapture.
“The crowd was never let forget the glaring absence of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, something of a maverick at the time of their fame, shedding light on the darkness of the human condition.”
The crowd was never let forget the glaring absence of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, something of a maverick at the time of their fame, shedding light on the darkness of the human condition. Tributes were paid in the encore as “Atmosphere” was released into the crowd, with a hazy image of Curtis’ face featuring behind. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” served as a final ode to the icon, as the words ‘Joy Division Forever’ appeared on screen, casting light onto the crowd one last time.
WORDS: Ellen O’Brien
