80s icons New Order are on their way Down Under. Feeling rusty on their discography? You still have a few months to take notes.
New Order first toured Australia in 1982, shortly after releasing their debut album and have loyally returned multiple times over the years. Though their last tour was cancelled (thanks for nothing, COVID), they’re en route for a headline tour this coming March 2025.
Whether you’re a new or longtime fan or simply want to impress your parents or 50+ year-old crush, don’t feel ashamed if you have a few gaps in your education about these Manchester music legends—I’ve got you.
New Order Australian tour
- Wed 5 March — RAC Arena: Whadjuk Noongar Land, Perth, WA
- Sat 8 March — Sidney Myer Music Bowl: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land, Melbourne, VIC
- Tues 11 March — Riverstage: Turrbal Jagera Land, Brisbane, QLD
- Fri 14 March — Sydney Opera House Forecourt: Gadigal Land, Sydney, NSW
- Sat 15 March — Sydney Opera House Forecourt: Gadigal Land, Sydney, NSW
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Here’s the low-down: the iconic synth-pop band emerged in the early 1980s with members from Joy Division after it dissolved following the tragic death of frontman Ian Curtis. They made their mark (and more) on modern sound with a pioneering blend of post-punk, electronic and dance music. Today, the band has a catalogue of over 100 songs and a legacy that doesn’t budge.
Ahead of buying your tickets to see New Order perform across the country with a career-spanning set list, brush up on your knowledge with my (not ranked) refresher of some of their most-beloved hits:
Bizarre Love Triangle (Brotherhood, 1986)
Once a flop, but, on the other side of music history, New Order’s thirteenth single remains a fan favourite. Lyrics of yearning and heartbreak are offset by energetic dance rhythms and a catchy verse. Its mainstream yet experimental feel is known to have been one of the definers of 80s New Wave music.
My favourite lyric: Why can’t we be ourselves like we were yesterday?
Temptation (stand-alone single, 1982)
As raw as Bizarre Love Triangle, this euphoric love song was one of New Order’s earliest hits. It was the first upbeat song following a grey period for the band, written not long after Curtis’ death, and soon became a hit in European discos—hailing in a new emotional beginning for the band and dance music in general. They re-recorded it many times over the years, so there are many iterations to enjoy, including Moby’s cover in The Vampire Diaries (season 1, episode 3… if you’re wondering).
My favourite lyric: I’ll find my soul as I go home
Regret (Republic, 1993)
This song marked a return after a hiatus for the band, although part of an album that drummer Stephen Morris said was more about making coin than creative drive. Yet, its hit single showed nothing artistically lacking for the band. A guitar-riff-filled song, it speaks to the desire to put down roots and feel satisfied in a life marred with —well— regret. Perhaps the writing was on the wall because the band recommenced their hiatus that year (getting back together in 1997).
My favourite lyric: I would like a place I could call my own
Your Silent Face (Power, Corruption & Lies, 1983)
Let’s lighten it up with one of New Order’s more playful signature tracks. Truth be told, this homage to pioneering German electronic music band Kraftwerk is still slightly depressing as lead vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner sings of apathy and emptiness. But its bleak mood juxtaposed with bouncy synths and the concluding lyric —“Why don’t you piss off?”— was a distinct turn from their sombre post-Joy Division days.
My favourite lyric: We asked you what you’d seen / You said you didn’t care
Blue Monday (Power, Corruption & Lies, 1983)
Familiar with New Order or not, you’ve probably danced to this classic that’s forever a staple on D-floors worldwide. The song was as innovative for electronic music as much as it honoured its influences, emulating the likes of The Velvet Underground, Ennio Morricone, Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder, Klein + M.B.O and Kraftwerk. At 7 minutes plus, its pulsating mix of elevated beats, synths and rhythms made it the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. On its 30th anniversary, NME said the song “changed music forever.”
There are so many unconfirmed rumours around the song. Some fans and critics interpret the lyrics through the lens of New Order’s transition from their previous incarnation as Joy Division, following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis. Some sources say it was purpose-made as an encore track – the song was released without much fanfare, as the band initially didn’t expect it to become a commercial hit – and as a response to their desire to create a song that could seamlessly transition from live performance to club playback.
The record’s sleeve, designed by Peter Saville, resembled a floppy disk and lacked the band’s name or the song’s title. Famously, the intricate sleeve design was so expensive to produce that Factory Records reportedly lost money on each copy sold, despite its massive success.
My favourite lyric: But if it wasn’t for your misfortune / I’d be a heavenly person today
Feeling wise? Fab, get your credit card ready. Decades since the release of these songs, you can celebrate their contribution to music by seeing New Order live this coming March.
For tickets and more information, visit TEG Live’s official website: https://teglive.com.au/live_tour/new-order/.
This article was made in partnership with TEG Live.
