Photos by Neil Van
If someone wants to know what the 1980s tasted like, it’s probably Pizza Pockets and Diet Coke. If the question was what it sounded like, an apt answer would be The Pet Shop Boys and New Order. After several COVID postponements, these two bands finally brought their Unity Tour to Toronto. Fans could not contain their glee.
With the Budweiser Stage slowly filling up, legendary British Producer/DJ, Paul Oakenfold took to the stage to get the party started.
A sparsely adorned stage was set, and then Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe appeared to great cheers, Dressed in white trench coats, faces covered with Space Invader-like masks, the duo stood beneath two stylized lamp posts and launched into Suburbia. Making good use of the high-tech screens behind them, the first few songs were performed with a minimalistic attitude. Projected white lines danced, as did the crowd through ‘Opportunities’ and ‘Where the Streets Have No Name/Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ and more.
The collective energy continued to rise as the backing musicians joined, infusing the stage with colour, movement and joy. The very modern screens continued to display nostalgic Tron-like patterns, fractalized and spinning. The band made its way through more synth-pop hits ‘Domino Dancing’, ‘You Were Always On My Mind’, ‘Heart’ and ended the set with ‘It’s a Sin’. (A song that has had renewed life in recent years,) The encore brought us ‘West End Girls’ and ‘Being Boring’, capping off what would have been a perfectly grand night… but there was more to come!
As the crew transitioned the stage, Okenfold came out for a second set. This time the crowd was ready to dance and the masterful DJ cleverly tapped into tunes that spoke to the gathered fans.
What New Order brought to the stage was their whole package: rock and roll heart in synth pop clothing. Singer, Bernard Sumner greeted the audience with a “Thank you for being so patient. It’s only been two years,” The wait was a hardship for all, no doubt. Leaning heavily on guitars and drums to round out the New Order sound, the band demonstrated why they are held in high esteem by fans and other artists alike. Starting with ‘Regret’, the band treated the audience to a string of iconic songs. Sumner, along with band members Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham and Tom Chapman sounded as good as ever and their music still compels people to get up and dance. Even the stage design brought to mind other eras, with cinematic images forming backdrops to songs.
By the halfway point of the set, heart rates were elevated. And after the run of hits – ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’, ‘True Faith’, ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Temptation’ which ended the main set, the endorphins were through the roof.
The band came out for one final tune – an appropriate tribute to their origin story. In the wake of tragedy, these musicians once had to redefine themselves. Though they found their identity and went on to change the sonic landscape of their time, long time Joy Division fans were happy to see the poignant nod to New Order’s roots. A heartfelt rendition of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ was the perfect ending to an outstanding night.
Connect with Pet Shop Boys : Website || Twitter || Facebook || Instagram
Connect with New Order : Website || Twitter || Facebook || Instagram
Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
