New order bring their ‘european & uk tour’ to glasgow’s ovo hydro.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

NEW ORDER PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

New Order is a British band known for their pioneering work in the post-punk and electronic music genres. Forming in the 1980s following the suicide of bandmate Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. Members would go on to form New Order while using every opportunity to honour Curtis and his legacy.

New Order quickly established themselves as influential musicians in the alternative and dance music scenes and, along with Joy Division, were one of the original acts of legendary Manchurian company Factory Records. The company would go bankrupt in 1992 and New Order found a new home at London Records.

New Order released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Power, Corruption & Lies" (1983), "Low-Life" (1985), "Substance" (1987), and "Technique" (1989). These albums blended rock, post-punk, and electronic elements, contributing to the evolution of electronic dance music. The band is known for their unique blend of synths and catchy melodies. Over the years, New Order's sound evolved, incorporating more modern elements and the group have influenced many subsequent artists in the electronic and alternative music scenes.

Nowadays, New Order are known for their energy and visual displays, often accompanied by stunning light shows and visuals. Despite the group's huge popularity, their relationship with former bassist Peter Hook has been tumultuous and pained. Hook being a member of Joy Division and founding member of New Order. With Hook's official departure from the band in 2007, a long running feud about royalties from New Order and Joy Division assets began. Hook's relationship with New Order's Bernard Sumner remains unrepaired following the disputes. Hook is currently receiving a rather miniscule share for his work with both bands but has gone on to have success with his venture Peter Hook and The Light.

New Order's 2023 tour sees the band play multiple sold out shows up and down the country with popular support Confidence Man.

Confidence Man are an Australian indie electro pop band formed in 2016 in Brisbane, Queensland. Members of the group use pseudonyms and have a light-hearted, high-energy performance style. Janet Planet and Sugar Bones lead the band's vocals and punchy dancing. Clarence Goodchild and Reggie McGuffie usually appear as masked figures playing keyboards and drums respectively.

For their Glasgow performance, Confidence Man gave everything that could be expected of them. High octane moves, outfit chances and punchy songs that shook the arena. The crowd bopped along with eyes fixed on Planet and Bones who were a dynamic explosion of fun. Fans of Hot Chip and Lcd Soundsystem should stick on 'Don't You Know I'm in a Band' or 'Boyfriend' for an instant upbeat lift.

As Glasgow's OVO arena filled up greatly during the night's support and the place was positively heaving as New Order took to the stage. Opener track 'Crystal' led into a shaky start as front Bernard Sumner's choppy lyrical style is initially hard to warm up to. However, this is simply an adjust from the recorded versions of tracks. As second number 'Age of Consent' is struck up, the night is given a real kick.

Now into their groove, hit after hit is played as the crowd swing and sways themselves as self-consciousness drifts away. The first Joy Division cover of the night 'Isolation' leads the band into the anthem 'Your Silent Face.' This leg of the tour debuts the track 'Ultraviolence' which delights the fans.

With such a popular discography, creating a setlist would have been no easy task. More modern tracks like 'Plastic' created an intriguing air alongside such celebrated tracks like 'True Faith' and 'Bizarre Love Triangle.' New Order also ensured an incredible performance by including an astounding light show complied with layers, strobes and a glittering disco ball.

The main set was finished with most commercially successful 'Blue Monday' and 'Temptation.' Two contradicting yet similar tracks that most fans will know off by heart. Sumner joined Gillian Gilbert on the keys and the sense harmony filled the merry arena. New Order/former Joy Division drummer Stephen Morris is also given a well deserved spotlight at numerous points in the night as the camera's focuses on him and his unbelievable speed of percussion.

The night is concluded with encore of the Joy Division tracks including the gothic 'Decades' and the exalting 'Love Will Tear Us Apart.' As the smoky arena sung along, hands raised, it was clear that the music that had been heard meant a great deal to so many of the listeners.

A night with New Order is one of those rare shows that ends in a flash and leaves you satisfied but wanting more. For a few days following your thoughts race as you think back and your living room does not feel alive enough. New Order's latest show proves that their music stands the test of time and that they're truly worthy of the status of legendary.