The presently touring New Order are a quite well-known alternative band, growing out of the legendary Joy Division, specializing in dance music with taints of Gothic gloom.

To date New Order have released four albums namely, "Movement", "Power, Corruption & Lies", "Low-Life" and now "Brotherhood" as well as a multitude of singles. The present tour coincides with the release of the new album "Brotherhood" and the single "Bizarre Love Triangle".

Two shows were planned for Perth, one on Friday 20th at Canterbury Court and another on Saturday 21st at the Red Parrot. Tickets were a modest $16, however due a poor financial situation, (wasn't AUSTUDY due on Jan [sic] 14?), I only attended the Canterbury Court concert.

On the night New Order were preceded by two support bands, Blue and And An A. Overall, both bands were quite good. Blue's music had a very boppy, danceable start to each song they played but nothing seemed to progress from there. In each song they ended up sounding like a second-rate version of Simple Minds.

And An A have a bit of a cult following in Perth. They usually make quiet appearances at the Rerun Club in East Perth and they're one of the few bands I know that can do New Order/Joy Division covers without sounding ridiculous. In comparing the two support bands And An A were far superior. Not only did they play quite danceable music, but they also added the influence of a strong bass, something that Blue lacked entirely. Also their vocalist was far clearer than Blue.

New Order came on in a style that is quite typical of them - quietly. No introductions, nothing. Suddenly the band was there and the music was droning again. By this stage Canterbury Court was filled to capacity, leaving nil room to dance. A few brave souls attempted to do so, with varying degrees of success.

The music played was a good combination of their latest three albums (nothing from "Movement" as far as I recall), with a couple of early singles, namely 'Ceremony' and 'Temptation', both being absolute gems. Later in the evening they surprised everyone when they played the old Joy Division classic 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'; was Ian Curtis back from the dead?? New Order playing Joy Division songs?? Where will it all end?

The place was crowded, the music loud - but overall the concert was brilliant. New Order haven't really changed that much, despite what some music-wise people will tell you. A well spent $16.

Metior, magazine of the Murdoch University Student Guild, 1987

Set-list:
Paradise / Let's Go / Way of Life / Ceremony / Temptation / We All Stand / 5 8 6 / Angel Dust / Sub-Culture / Sunrise / The Perfect Kiss / Love Will Tear Us Apart / Do the Ostrich (The Velvet Underground cover)