New Order play joyful gig in Dubai
Postpunk synth-pop band takes Dubai down memory lane
The band performed Love Will Tear Us Apart, and once again we were reminded of the reasons why it’s so loved.
The postpunk synth-pop band that has powered the Manchester music scene for almost four decades now and inspired dozens of English bands, New Order, performed in Dubai on Friday night at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Performing a setlist that harked back to the group’s turmoilridden beginnings and also peppered by songs from their last album,
Music Complete (2015), the gig was fan service combined with a shift in gears for the band: once again embracing their pop sensibilities and running with it. Songs like Tutti Frutti and Restless from the new album were pure electronic music that impossibly exhuded joy and optimism. HIGHLIGHT
Crystal, the standout hit of Get Ready, which definitively put New Order back in business and was a clear testament to their extraordinary songwriting-abilities, was the centrepiece of the first half of the gig. “We’re like crystal, it’s not easy/With your love,
you could feed me/Every man, and every woman / Needs someone, So keep it coming,” sang Bernard Sumner, and I could swear a collective, audible sigh was let out by the crowd. Bizarre Love Triangle
from the Brotherhood album was another trip down memory lane and like at any other gig, the oldest songs got the loudest cheers.
It’s another story that lead singer Sumner’s vocal chops have taken a beating.
The lead vocalist’s boyish croon never did have quite the range, relying
instead on his ability to effortless transfer emotions and channel resilience, but Friday night’s performance sounded like we were at a karaoke party at his worst moments, and a gig rehearsal, at his best. SORELY MISSED
Former bassist Peter Hook’s nifty handwork was sorely missed for its ability to lift a conservative melody, but new recruit Tom Chapman replicated most of his hooks with accuracy.
The music was accompanied by trippy visualwork and strobe effects and lights that bounced off the audience and the ramps, evoking dance club vibes.
And even Sumner couldn’t help but jump around on stage to the groovy tunes.
Of course, no New Order gig is complete without some throwback to Joy Division: so as part custom and part fear of retribution (we imagine), the band performed the cult classic, Love Will Tear Us Apart,
and once again we were reminded of the reasons why New Order is so loved across the world.