Paul Westerberg - Apollo, Manchester, 26/4/2012
by Denzil Watson
published: 16 / 4 / 2012

intro
Denzil Watson watches the reformed New Order, even without the presence of iconic bassist Peter Hook, play an ultimately magical set at the Apollo in Manchester
What is it right now with Manchester bands reforming? Today a rumour does the rounds: The Smiths are to reform. It's dismissed by as quickly as it's started, by none other than Johnny Marr himself. Now that would have been some news to add to the general euphoria surrounding the Stone Roses return to the big stage. When fellow Manchester indie-icons New Order announced that they were reconvening last year (having earlier split in 2007) to do two shows in Europe (Paris and Brussels),there was more fuss about who was not in the band i.e. their iconic bassist Peter Hook than the reformation itself. The UK's first chance to check-out a Hookless New Order came at their December Troxy gig in London. It is tonight, however, the first night of their Spring "World Tour", that their home city of Manchester can decide what they make of the new order. Former member Gillian Gilbert, keyboardist and occasional guitarist makes a welcome return to the fray while her replacement, Phil Cunningham, continues on guitar joined by fellow Bad Lieutenant bassist Tom Chapman replacing Hooky on bass. So to the big question? Are New Order without Hooky on bass any good? That is the question on everyone's lips in the sell-out crowd at this, the first of two nights at Manchester's art deco Apollo theatre. Things don't start too promising. A truncated 'Eligia' gives way to a slightly labouring 'Crystal'. The sound is muddy and there's a gaping hole where Hook's bass lines previously weaved their magic. The following 'Regret' doesn't fair much better and it's not looking too promising. Then, all of a sudden, the sound improves and the triple guitar assault of 'Ceremony' brings the gig alive. The set continues with its guitar-heavy slant with a rousing 'Age of Consent' and at last the bass can be heard. Okay, it's not quite the same without their former low-slung bassist wrestling with his four-string but it's the next best thing. The years peel back and we soon remember why we love New Order. Populist without playing the game, high tech without losing their fragility and unpredictableness and arty without trying too hard to be cool, making them cool. Barney's stage banter is still as spontaneously laughable and amusing as ever: "You want to enjoy yourselves. We want to enjoy ourselves. Let's have a party!". And when he relinquishes his guitar he still dances like your uncle at a wedding disco. But this is all part of the band's charm. Meanwhile Steve Morris toils rhythmically at the drums like a human drum machine while his wife Gillian, motionless and statuesque behind her keyboards stage right, is as crucial part of the New Order aesthetic as any of them. The set is a predictable one and after an anthemic rendition of 'Love Vigilantes' gets a whole lot more dance-orientated. 'True Faith', 'Bizarre Love Triangle' and 'The Perfect Kiss', all backed by a staggering laser show and clips of the band's ground-breaking videos, get the crowd going. It is, however, a futuristic re-working of '586' from the timeless 'Power, Corruption and Lies' album that really steals the show. Especially loud cheers greet 'Blue Monday', the track that introduced the band to a lot of people's worlds, and an emotionally charged and crowd-assisted 'Temptation' that closes the set. And there's still time for a double encore of Joy Division faves 'Transmission' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' to cap the night off and remind us just why we've missed them so much. It great to have them back, with or without a certain bassist.
Picture Gallery:-



most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Gary Numan - Berserker
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Susie Hug - Interview
Chuck Prophet - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Ray Humphries - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Little Simz - Lotus
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart