By Tahlia Lunau

For their second sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, New Order took to the stage on the blissful Saturday evening of the 15th of March. Thousands gathered on the steps of the iconic Sydney landmark as the sun set behind the harbour, a full moon rising behind the crowd awaiting the very last show of the band’s tour of Japan and Australia. 

New Order emerged from the shadows of the legendary band Joy Division after frontman, Ian Curtis, died by suicide in 1980. Honouring Curtis’ legacy, New Order leapt into the Manchester music scene of the 80s with their classic synth-pop sound and infectious guitar riffs. Over four decades after the release of their debut album ‘Movement’ in 1981, and an even longer history of performing together, the excitement in the air was palpable as we waited for the show to begin. What the band offered on stage was an electrifying performance full of sweet nostalgia and fresh synth energy — a fitting return to the venue for the band after last performing at the Opera House nearly a decade ago. 

The location was perfect for the performance, with the atmosphere alive and buzzing in the outdoor air. The show began as night approached and the heat of the thirty-degree day began to simmer away with the harbour breeze. With the lights of the city backdrop slowly flickering on, it couldn’t have been a more perfect evening to commemorate both the new and nostalgic on the tail end of the summer months.

Amongst the crowd were both young and old faces, proving to be a testament to New Order’s lasting legacy and their continuing influence in the world of music. To one side were groups of decade-long friendships shouting along to the lyrics they’ve known since they were kids, and to the other, younger crowds singing their hearts out to the songs their parents played for them in the car as kids. This generation-spanning impact wasn’t only sweet to see, but a reminder of the importance of bands like New Order in bringing people together through music. 

I first discovered New Order while walking the streets of their hometown, Manchester, England. Since then, I have joined the crowd of people who resonate with their songs about love and self-searching, and getting lost in the beats of their dance anthems. Hearing iconic songs like ‘Ceremony’, ‘Temptation’, and ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ played live with the passion of thousands of fans moving to the heart of the melody pulled me back to the community that formed around the intensity and innovation of the music scene that evolved from the city. Bands like Oasis, The Smiths and The Stone Roses all similarly rose from the Manchester music scene and have proven that their influence knows no bounds. New Order is no exception, pioneering their electronic instrumentals and rhythmic club tracks while honouring the post-punk roots of the Joy Division sound. 

This electronic dance legacy wasn’t just upheld by the beats pulsing through the air but also through the staggering visuals on stage. The visual spectacle consisted of a screen projection behind the band, live camera work, and a blinding array of light and lasers. Some of the background videos playing behind the band were shots taken by frontman, Bernard Sumner, at Sydney’s very own Bondi Beach the day before! Other videos consisted of intricate geometric patterns, choreographed dances, and even gameplay footage of retro racing video games. For the band’s most famous song, ‘Blue Monday’, the stage was bathed in swirling dark blue brilliance. Colourful lasers slithered across the night sky for their other dance tracks, and a disco ball descended from overhead for ‘Temptation’ as the crowd danced in the light.

The night ended with the band performing Joy Division’s hit ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ as images of Ian Curtis were projected behind the band. The words ‘Forever Joy Division’ faded onto the screen as both the crowd and band came together to commemorate the band’s roots. On that warm night with the thousands chanting the lyrics under a moonlit sky, New Order reminded us that love may tear us apart, but timeless music will always bring us back together.

Tahlia Lunau is a UNSW student studying a double degree in Arts/Law with a major in English. She is obsessed with anything burgundy coloured and enjoys all sorts of walking trails in national parks, particularly if there is an ocean view.