Various Artists - A Factory Night (Once Again)

One night in Brussels… and a lengthy affair it was

Celebrating the link between Factory and Les Disques Crepiscule, this teases four acts out of the shadowlands of the Factory catalogue. It’s never less than intriguing, as Crispy Ambulance and Section 25, both aging with an element of disgrace, maintain a few raw edges. They do, however, find themselves restrained by ageing musical signatures. It presents an interesting dilemma and, in places, a new spark is ignited from sheer frustration. They just don’t seem to make bands like this anymore, but at least Section 25 have new material to soften the pangs of nostalgia.

Sandwiched between the two Manchester acts are Belgian oddities The Names with a less disjointed set more easily acceptable in 2008. Oddest of all, however, is opening act Kevin Hewick. Always an evocative singer-songwriter, he never seemed remotely comfortable on Factory. Curiously, his angst-laced songs fit better in the modern age. It may seem unlikely, but Hewick provides the one moment of true beauty on this DVD with a luscious rendition of Run To Where Only A Woman Can Run. It’s exceptional, haunting and, thankfully, a world apart from the closing song, a version of New Order’s Temptation spat out by Section 25 with lumpen onstage assistance from Peter Hook. Forgettable and regrettable.

LTM | DVD 2519

Reviewed by Mick Middles
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