Overall a brilliant gig, but let’s get the grumpy old git grumbles out of the way:
– Venue: not a brilliant live music venue, with its low ceilings and consequently only very slightly elevated stage – heaven help any tall-ish persons who might get a bit carried away by the music and attempt a bit of pogo-ing – perhaps they should issue hard hats to audience members over 6 foot tall? Sub-optimal maybe and reminiscent of a pub cellar or other rehearsal space rather than a ‘designed’ performance venue – not that I’d wish to be seen dead at the Arena, Apollo or other soulless mass market pop pulp parade performance.
– Lighting: because of the poor headroom, the stage is lit from the side and from ceiling mounted remote spots which seem to hit the unlucky lead singers right between the eyes. Given the age spread of the audience this had an amusing side effect of bouncing off the balding bonces of all the 50-something blokes in the crowd – all those lucky buggers old enough to have been to a Joy Division gig.
– Space: The lofty cathedral that was the Hacienda it is not, one saving grace being the PA, which unlike that at New Order gigs at the Hac, had sufficient power to control the sound within the space whether you’re up front or propping up the bar at the back.
But the music, the main aim of the event, far exceeded my expectations – fabulous! I’d seen one or two critical comments on the web regarding ‘others’ performing Ian Curtis’ / Joy Division songs, or former band members ‘cashing in’ on previous glory, but this gig made it clear that this music needs to be played live. Surely the greatest respect for a musician/composer is to have the music played live for years after they have departed. No one says it’s disrespectful to Mozart or Beethoven to play their music live (& get paid for it). And live, and loud, and in front of an appreciative audience is miles better than listening through the tinny headphones of an iPod, or even through a top-notch speakers cranked up to 11. Hooky’s vocals could have been brought up a level, but were definitely in keeping with the originals. Rowetta’s contributions gave those couple of songs a new dynamic (& let Hooky actually play his bass) – different sound, yet definitely all good. Highlights of the set were Isolation, and then a stunning rendition of Transmission – not a Closer track but who’s being picky? – and then finishing with ‘that song’ (you can guess? can't you?), as Hooky called it, providing a chest thumping finale to a top gig?. Let’s have more of the same, please!
