Gig review: New Order, O2 Academy, Glasgow

FOR a band who don’t like too much of a fuss, there has been a sense of occasion surrounding the return of New Order with an album, Music Complete, which tips the balance away from the indie guitar complacency of the last couple of decades back towards their adventures in clubland.

New Order

New Order | Rating: **** | Academy, Glasgow

Could this be something to do with the return of their lethal weapon, Gillian Gilbert, sipping wine daintily behind her keyboard while unleashing fearsome synthquake salvos? Hard to tell as New Order are such a seamless operation, and rarely more so than during this set which honoured their past and their present equally, chronicling their journey as a dance band for those who don’t really dance, from the austere Euro electro chill of new number Singularity back to debut single Ceremony, beloved album tracks from their early album Power, Corruption & Lies and, finally, beyond to their more gothic roots as Joy Division.

The yearning Bizarre Love Triangle, the Balearic beast that is The Perfect Kiss and Your Silent Face, with frontman Bernard Sumner playing a fanfare on his melodica, were among the most celebratory moments, while the more introverted encore of Atmosphere and Love Will Tear Us Apart was a celebration of a different sort.

Every step of the way was accompanied by a scintillating theatrical lightshow and a lovingly curated mix of band videos, archive film stock and specially commissioned graphics which served to make this show an impressive and immersive package.