Following on from last months show in Manchester, New Order return to the stage with a festival show, their first major performance in exactly five years. This was another extraordinary show - the second best concert I have ever seen, and so close to the last months show at the Apollo it was almost hard to choose which was better. Even though New Order were not the last band playing, everybody knew who was really headlining. According to others, the crowd stretched as far back as halfway up the market stalls, with most of the other tents being deserted. Even by the first row of market stalls, a good 30-40,000 people had the field rammed with bystanders.

Even down in the pit - which was, frankly, an overcrowded hell - everyone was friendly, careful : it was all hugging and smiles. Not unsurprising if you get to see your favourite pop group for the first time in 5 years.

Regret shined, Touched was godlike, and the reaction to True Faith-94 (eh? is this a newie?) was amazing when everyone suddenly clicked what it was. Highlights included Barney chastising the crowd after Heart And Soul - "I don't know why you're all shouting for New Order, this is an old Joy Division song", and offering free drinks to the entire Reading Festival at any stall. Barney even got the lyrics right this time, thanks to suspisciously Guns N Roses autocues next to his monitors. Hooky was dressed all in black, looking as if he were in the Joy Division days, Barneys' idiot jogging obtained huge cheers, as did Alan Wises's perceptive intro: "This is the band you've all REALLY come to see, isn't it? Please welcome ... Warsaw!"

There were almost too many highlights. A "Hooky Air Guitar" circle in the pit, with about 8 people pretending to play Hooky bass, isolated people shouting out old Barney Improvs, ("Uno dos tres quatro" in Temptation for example), some interesting heckles and perhaps bizarrely of all, the comical mess that was Blue Monday. Hooky's percussion pad wasn't switched on, Barney came in late, and guffed the words.. "and if it wasn't for my small penis/you'd be a heavenly person today... ", before delibrately playing keyboards in as unmusical manner as possible to create some awful dischords and grinning inanely. However the highlight was when a large wooden box covered in a black cape was brought on in Blue Monday... who was it? what was it? Was it the Monolith from 2001? Ian?

It was Keith Allen, and for the first time ever, New Order played WORLD IN MOTION. During its entire duration, it sounded simply like the best song ever, with the chorus of "ENG-ER-LAND !!" echoing around the entire arena, past the market stalls... and bringing a triumphant ending to the festival.

Anyone who hung around for garbage after that was just a loser.

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