UKNY for September 12
New Order (photo by Warren Jackson, PR)
I really miss Manchester. The last time I was in the city was back in 2017 for the Manchester International Festival, just a couple of months following the horrific arena bombing. Healing in the aftermath of that tragedy, Mancunians found comfort in what they do best: making music, theatre, dance, and art, as they gathered in Albert Square and across the city. They painted the sides of buildings with worker bees (the uplifting symbol of this labor-minded Northern city) and celebrated their rich cultural history with enthusiasm and hope. New Order was a significant part of the MIF that year, represented via both a series of theatrical concerts with Liam Gillick and the "True Faith" exhibit at the Manchester Art Gallery.
All of which is a very long way of saying that in this dire year, New Order has released a new song this week to lift lonely spirits. It's a much-needed gift that reminds me of their steadying, upbeat presence three years ago in a still-wounded Manchester. On UKNY at 11, expect that single plus another welcome surprise: The Cure's Robert Smith finally hitching up with Gorillaz' Damon Albarn.
In addition, two fast-rising post-punk bands with something to say about modern Britain: Portsmouth's Hallan and Leeds newcomers Yard Act. And fresh releases from Django Django, Greentea Peng, Ezra Collective, Kelly Lee Owens, and trumpeter Emma-Jean Thackray too.
That and much more on UKNY, 11pm-midnight Saturdays, also found on demand in the Weekend Archives.
Songs played:
1. Hallan, “Modern England,” single
2. Django Django, “Spirals (radio edit),” single
3. SAULT feat. Michael Kiwanuka, “Bow,” Untitled (Black Is)
4. (Melbourne, AU) Thibault, “Centrelink,” Or Not Thibault
5. New Order, “Be a Rebel (radio edit),” single
6. Atoms for Peace, “Ingenue,” Amok
7. Kelly Lee Owens, “Arpeggi,” Inner Song
8. Gorillaz feat. Robert Smith, “Strange Timez,” Song Machine, Season One – Strange Timez
9. Yard Act, “Fixer Upper,” single
10. Blur, “Parklife,” Parklife
11. Greentea Peng, “Hu Man,” single
12. Emma-Jean Thackray feat. Blu, “Open (remix),” single
13. Actress feat. Sampha, “Walking Flames (radio edit),” Karma & Desire
14. Ezra Collective, “Dark Side Riddim,” single
