Going into the New Order concert, I expected a fun night filled with classic hits and great energy—and that’s exactly what I got! While there were some technical issues at the beginning, the overall experience was fantastic. New Order started off with some sound troubles—there was a noticeable wobble in the speakers during the first few songs. However, as the set progressed, the issues smoothed out, and the band delivered a strong performance with their signature electronic-meets-rock sound.
Frontman Bernard Sumner was welcoming and receptive to the audience, encouraging clapping and singalongs throughout the set. While he didn’t talk much between songs, his energy and enthusiasm made up for it, and the crowd remained engaged from start to finish. The setlist was packed with crowd-pleasers, featuring a mix of New Order classics and Joy Division tributes. While my top favourite song “60 Miles An Hour” was missing, I was thrilled by the inclusion of “State of the Nation.”
The concert had a fun, upbeat mood, with an enthusiastic crowd that stayed engaged throughout. The lighting and visuals were impressive, enhancing the performance. A standout moment was during “Temptation,” when the lighting colours matched the lyrics about eye colour—an artistic and immersive touch. The audience was clearly thrilled to hear New Order’s biggest hits. Many people sang along, clapped to the beat, and stayed for the encore. Sumner even threw in a quip about Trump being an “ass”, which got a positive reaction from the crowd.
New Order knows how to put on a great show. Their music is high-energy without being overwhelming, making for a concert experience that’s enjoyable whether you’re dancing in the crowd or taking it in from the sidelines. If you enjoy classic new wave and synth-pop, I’d highly recommend seeing them live!
Setlist:
- Transmission (Joy Division cover)
- Crystal
- Ceremony
- Age of Consent
- Isolation (Joy Division cover)
- Love Less (First time since 1989)
- Player in the League
- Your Silent Face
- State of the Nation
- Be a Rebel
- Sub-Culture
- Bizarre Love Triangle
- Vanishing Point
- Plastic
- True Faith
- Blue Monday
- Temptation
Encore: - Atmosphere (Joy Division cover)
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division cover)