NEW ORDER
RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE
TUESDAY. 11 MARCH 2025
WORDS BY TIFFANY AND MALCOLM COOPER
PHOTOS BY YEJIN CHO
Apart from the hoopla of the concert going ahead (yes, getting there and back is a bit of a challenge), it doesn’t stop diehard fans—both young and old—from making their way to Riverstage to see one of Manchester’s most iconic bands of the 1980s. Post-Cyclone, Riverstage isn't a mud pit (much to everyone’s surprise) and people were in good spirits considering the last week we have all endured. The visuals are stunning, perfectly complementing each song, while the lighting is nothing short of captivating. A nostalgic highlight is the old clips of the band playing on the big screen behind them—a fitting tribute to their legacy.
New Order Live: Nostalgia and Energy, And a Touch of Reflection
The band is tight and completely in sync, delivering a performance that is musically amazing. I overhear a man tell his wife that he expected nothing more than a few people on keyboards—only to be surprised that New Order is far more than just a synth-driven band. As the big screen lights up to signal the start of the show, the crowd rises to their feet in anticipation. The energy is electric from the first note, with blaring guitars, heavy drums, and pulsing bass breathing new life into Joy Division and New Order classics. The vocal levels start off a little low but improve as the night goes on, though Bernard Sumner seems to struggle at times with both power and pitch.
They kick things off with a Joy Division classic, ‘Transmission’, instantly getting the place moving. Another Joy Division track, ‘Isolation’, makes its way into the set within the first hour, along with the random and somewhat odd choice, ‘Play In A League’, where Sumner’s vocal struggles become more noticeable. The energy dips slightly at this point, but the band quickly brings the audience back to life with the lush synths of their 1983 classic ‘Your Silent Face’. From there, it’s a rollercoaster of hits spanning 1981 to 2020, with tracks like ‘State Of The Nation’, ‘Sub-Culture’, and ‘Vanishing Point’ keeping the momentum high.
The song choices are excellent (though I would love to hear ‘Love Vigilantes’, ‘The Perfect Kiss’, or ‘Shellshock’), but the setlist order feels a little off—not just for me, but seemingly for others as well. All the biggest hits are saved for the very end, when they could have peppered more evenly throughout the night. Instead, they hold back their heavy hitters until the final hour, which finally gets the crowd dancing, singing along, and even coaxing those who have been sitting on the grass to their feet. When ‘Blue Monday’ kicks in, a sea of mobile phones lights up, capturing the moment—undeniable proof that it’s a clear audience favourite.
Saved the best for last? The band returns for an encore with two Joy Division songs, ‘Atmosphere’ and ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. While I appreciate that Joy Division is their foundation, this is New Order live and ending the night with both felt a little unbalanced. ‘Atmosphere’ is a beautiful tribute to Ian Curtis, with stunning visuals honouring his legacy, but it casts a sombre tone over what had been an electrifying show. Placing it midway through the set might have made more sense, allowing the night to close on a euphoric high with ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and ‘Blue Monday’. Instead of leaving the crowd wanting more, the show ends in quiet reflection. We all miss Ian, and the tribute is heartfelt, but after such an energetic set, the final moments feel unexpectedly heavy. That said, I have an incredible time—singing, dancing, and soaking up every nostalgic moment. A night to remember, even if the conclusion doesn’t quite match the energy of the rest of the show.
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