Way back in June 1987, New Order did a gig at The Hacienda to raise money for the club. The ticket price was relatively high (about £10 I think) and I decided not to go on account of their lack-lustre performance at GMEX the year before. There was a general feeling at the time that they were taking the piss.
On the day of the gig, I was taking photographs and drawing by the Rochdale Canal, and I heard them rehearsing inside The Hacienda. It sounded like most of the music was pre-recorded because when it stopped and started it seemed to happen all at once, like a tape being switched on and off.
I heard Shellshock that day, and Bizarre Love Triangle, which is still one of my favourites; the wistful vocals and bass work so well against the up-beat, pure-pop, electronic back-drop.
Every time I think of you
I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue
It’s no problem of mine
But it’s a problem I find
Living a life that I can’t leave behind
There’s no sense in telling me
The wisdom of a fool won’t set you free
But that’s the way that it goes
And it’s what nobody knows
And every day my confusion grows
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