10 Oct 2013

LIVE TRANSMISSION Joy Division Reworked - Sage, Gateshead - 2nd October 2013



LIVE_TRANSMISSION is an audio-visual tribute to Joy Division. The show came to Sage on 2nd October in the 1640 capacity Hall One. 
The performance combines the strings and horns of the Heritage Orchestra and the musical mastery of Robin Rimbaud, better known as electronic artist, Scanner along with members of Three Trapped Tigers and Ghostpoet. The collection of musical talent is topped off by visual projections by artist, Matt Watkins, whose work is married perfectly along with the music.
Despite the original concept sounding like conflicting genres jumbled together, the show comes across as a tasteful blend of styles that have been united perfectly. The sanctity of Joy Division is well kept as the cheap clichés of modern electronic music are kept to a minimum, not a bass drop or auto-tuned vocal in sight.  The visuals at times seem like a direct insight into the mind of Ian Curtis, showing dark, twisted urban landscapes and industrial style machinery which is contrasted by moments of wonder and beauty at times.
Upon entry of the venue there was an ominous drone accompanied by a cloud of smoke, setting the tone for the performance instantly. As the lights dimmed, the drones gradually intensified before cutting out to the choppy bass riff of ‘Transmission’.  This was the first glimpse of how the classic new wave anthems were reborn with the new orchestral arrangements. The interpretations of the songs we’re only loosely based on the originals, allowing for artistic flare to shine through and impress rather than simply playing the original melodies with a string section.
Blocky, analogue synth tones filled the venue for one of the more electronic style covers before a minimalist, eerie version of ‘She’s Lost Control’. The haunting, celestial vocals from the 2 man choir and projections of the lyrics being jotted onto the smokescreen had the audience mesmerised. This was followed by some stunning artwork of the Unknown Pleasures album cover reincarnated as a mountain range which moved in such a way that it was like the audience was travelling through it.
The performance continued with some sort of Skrillex-esque breakdown backed with swooping dynamics from the orchestra with erratic trombone accents which showed just how well the genres had been married together. After this dramatic burst of energy came the orchestrated adaptation of ‘Atmosphere’, the euphoric blend of sustained notes and subtle percussion intensified into a wall of sound before fading to black which seemed metaphorical for the death of Ian Curtis.
Just when it seemed like the performance was over, the lights and projections started up again before a heart-wrenching rendition of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ with the original vocal track sampled over the delicate tones of the sting section. The performance was under a hour long which may seem short at first, but  Joy Division are a band that released only two albums, yet still had such a large impact on music today, and thus seems rather appropriate.
Words: Alex Greenup

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