From Heaven to Heaven New Order Live The Early Years (1981 – 1984) at Close Quarters by Dec Hickey
Remastered 2024 Edition
Published by Dambooks 7th November 2024
Dec Hickey’s From Heaven to Heaven: New Order Live – The Early Years (1981-1984) offers a deep dive into one of the most transformative periods in the history of Manchester band New Order.
Written by New Order super-fan Dec Hickey, and with forewords by band members Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, the book serves not only as a historical account, but as a celebration of the band’s early years. It offers detailed descriptions of individual gigs, the setlists, and the reception from fans and critics at the time.
A central theme of the book is New Order’s transformation from a post-punk band, still grieving the loss of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, into a pioneering force in the emerging synth-pop and electronic music scene. Hickey explores the band’s creative tensions and experimental drive as they navigated their legacy while venturing into new musical directions. He tracks their evolution from the darker tones of Movement to the more dance-driven rhythms that came to define their breakthrough albums like Power, Corruption & Lies.
For me, one of the standout aspects of this book is its visual presentation. Made to sit on your coffee table and command attention, it almost has the feel of a fan’s personal scrapbook and is packed with rare photographs, flyers, ticket stubs, and setlists from New Order’s early gigs. These images help to evoke the atmosphere of the early 1980s music scene, capturing the raw energy and evolving style of New Order as they played in clubs and venues across Europe and the United States.
Hickey’s meticulous research shines through, as he chronicles over 300 live performances from 1981 to 1984. For die-hard fans, this level of detail is a treasure trove—providing insights into how New Order’s live sound changed over the years, as well as highlighting the songs that would become iconic tracks in their discography. However, whilst super-fans will undoubtedly find this whole book mesmerising, the level of detail may feel overwhelming for casual readers. However, the passion Hickey has for the band, the amount of work and attention to detail is undeniable – Hickey’s work truly is a labour of love. He has managed to capture the essence of New Order’s early performances, transporting readers to the clubs, festivals, and underground venues where their music was first brought to life.
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