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Tag: Eternal Live

  • Joy Division getting 16-disc live box set ‘Eternal: Live’

    The legendary sound of Joy Division is being unearthed in a stunning new package with the release of Eternal: Live, a monumental 16-disc box set that promises to redefine how fans experience the band’s live legacy. Released via Rhino in September, this collection is not just another compilation; it is the definitive archive of the band’s performances, meticulously sourced from rare materials spanning decades.

    Eternal: Live draws its power from an incredible trove of material, featuring audio drawn from audience cassettes, soundboard tapes, and broadcast recordings, all expertly mastered at Abbey Road Studios. This effort provides the first official collection of live recordings ever released by the band, offering an unprecedented look behind the curtain of their iconic performances.

    The sheer scope of the archival material is staggering. The box set features fourteen CDs, each documenting unique dates and venues that capture the raw energy of Joy Division’s evolution. For instance, some tracks feature audio from seminal shows at places like Les Bains Douches in Paris, the Plan K concert in Brussels, and performances at the Apollo Theatre in Manchester.

    Diving into the tracklist reveals a rich tapestry of history. One disc captures a performance on March 1, 1979, mixing audience recordings from multiple sources, while others document shows at Acklam Hall in London and The Factory in Manchester. This multi-faceted approach brings unheard moments—including previously unreleased sound desk recordings and unique audience interactions—to light.

    The visual experience is equally compelling. In addition to the exhaustive audio collection, the box set includes two DVDs featuring over two and a half hours of live footage. These visuals include highlights from major gigs, such as the Plan K Brussels concert, performances at the Manchester Apollo Theatre, soundchecks, and a new edit of Joy Division – A Malcolm Whitehead Film.

    The visual artwork accompanying the music is equally thought-provoking, featuring photography by Anton Corbijn and Kevin Cummins, alongside notes from Simon Armitage. The packaging itself showcases striking design by artists including Warren Jackson, Peter Saville, Howard Wakefield, and Brett Wickens, anchored by cover art photography by Wolfgang Tillmans.

    Further enriching the cultural context surrounding the band is the ongoing public exhibition, Ian Curtis: Insight, which opens today at the Voltz Clarke Gallery in New York City and runs through July 22. This exhibition offers a deeper exploration of the life and legacy of the late vocalist.

    Eternal: Live stands as more than just a collection of songs; it is an act of archival rediscovery, providing fans with a raw, unfiltered, and beautifully documented journey through the powerful history of Joy Division.

    Credit: BrooklynVegan

  • Joy Division Announce First-Ever Live Collection Featuring Previously Unreleased Recordings

    Joy Division Celebrates Half a Century with Historic Live Recordings

    The post-punk giants Joy Division are marking an extraordinary milestone this year, converging two monumental events: the band’s 50th anniversary and their upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. To celebrate this powerful duality, the legendary group is preparing to offer fans an unprecedented look into their live legacy through a brand new collection of concert recordings.

    These historic milestones provide the perfect backdrop for a deep dive into the band’s enduring influence on music and culture. As the celebratory season unfolds, the post-punk legends are setting the stage for a retrospective that captures the raw energy of their performances across the decades.

    At the heart of this tribute is the official release of Eternal (Live), a robust 14-CD set that serves as an invaluable archive of their live sound. This collection features audio drawn from sixteen distinct live performances, offering listeners a profound glimpse into the band’s evolution and raw power during their most iconic eras.

    The release of these recordings is more than just a compilation; it is a monumental act of preservation, ensuring that the visceral experience of Joy Division‘s live music remains accessible to new generations. It allows listeners to reconnect with the intensity and atmosphere that defined their sound and cemented their place in musical history.

    This initiative not only honors the band’s history but also sets a new standard for how legacy acts engage with their audience, turning historical achievements into tangible, unforgettable experiences for fans worldwide. The celebration promises to be a potent reminder of the seismic impact post-punk had on the landscape of rock music.

    Credit: Stereogum

  • First Joy Division Live Anthology Due In Sept.

    Four decades after their defining, atmospheric sound captured the landscape of Manchester, the legendary post-punk band Joy Division is finally opening up its vaults for the first time with Eternal (Live). This sprawling 14CD/2DVD collection is not just a retrospective; it is the definitive concert anthology, meticulously gathering audio from sixteen rare performances, offering an unprecedented look into the band’s brief but transformative live career.

    Eternal (Live) represents years of dedication, sourcing material from audience cassettes, soundboard tapes, and broadcast recordings. These fragments were then masterfully brought together and newly mastered at Abbey Road Studios, ensuring that the raw energy of those live shows is preserved in pristine clarity.

    The collection features an incredible array of history. It traces Joy Division’s journey from their early 1979 performances all the way through to their final show on May 2, 1980, at High Hall in Birmingham. Fans will discover previously unreleased concerts, including sessions held at London’s Hope & Anchor and Acklam Hall, alongside unheard recordings captured from seminal venues like Manchester’s Factory, London’s Lyceum, and the Moonlight Club.

    Beyond these rare concerts, Eternal (Live) preserves pivotal moments in the band’s evolution. It contains performances of material that would later define their studio albums, including live takes of songs from Unknown Pleasures and Closer. Perhaps the most poignant inclusion is Joy Division’s final concert at High Hall, where the group performed “Ceremony” live for the first and only time—a performance that would later become an enduring cornerstone for New Order.

    The collection extends beyond audio, featuring more than two-and-a-half hours of compelling film footage across two DVDs. Highlights include the previously unseen Plan K concert from Brussels, expanded shots from the Apollo Theatre in Manchester, and a newly edited version of Joy Division — A Malcolm Whitehead Film.

    The physical release is stunning, housed in a 12-inch box featuring striking artwork from artists like Warren Jackson, Peter Saville, Howard Wakefield, and Brett Wickens, complemented by cover photography by Wolfgang Tillmans. The accompanying booklet offers deeper context, including notes from poet Simon Armitage and photographs by Anton Corbijn and Kevin Cummins.

    The announcement arrives at a moment of deep interest in Joy Division’s enduring legacy. Amid ongoing recognition for the band, which will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, and the public focus on Ian Curtis—the subject of an ongoing exhibit—Eternal (Live) offers fans an intimate and exhaustive window into the powerful, unforgettable world created by Joy Division.

    Credit: Spin