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unhappy,” he says. “But 24 Hour Party People is full of such fun and joy, it’s brilliant. I’m glad to have experienced a lot of that. “We were told they were reconstructing the Haçienda for the film shoot at Real World Studios in Bath so we went down to see it. You’re standing outside the Hacienda, outside the side entrance that would be the canal, in the warehouse they’ve built the set in. Then you pass through the door and you’re in the Haçienda. It’s full of all your mates and it’s just like it was 10 years ago. That was bizarre and amazing, what a night.” Both managers only have kind things to say about Wilson, who died in 2007 and is portrayed by Steve Coogan in the film. “My memories of Tony are very positive,” says Robinson. “A very nice gentleman and a huge loss.”
“He was pretty much as people have portrayed him,” adds Boulton. “He was clever, articulate and passionate about music, and was definitely a really interesting character. He didn’t necessarily have the best business acumen, but I think that is well [known].” Controversy followed Peter Hook’s exit from the band in 2007. Hook sued his former bandmates in 2015, leading to a protracted court case before a settlement was reached two years later. A statement on the band’s website said: “The disputes were based upon Hook’s use of various New Order and Joy Division assets on merchandising and in the promotion of shows by his new band, and the amount of money he receives from the use of the name New Order by his former colleagues since 2011.” Boulton, who is unable to discuss the case for legal reasons, has tried to take the positives from the experience. “Personally, it was a lot of hard work,” she sighs. “I tried to look back on it positively, in as much as I try to think about things that happen as opportunities to grow professionally or personally in some way, and mostly I’ve done that. And I learned a lot – a lot! I had to. I learned about the legal system and about myself and my capacity for certain types of knowledge.” In the wake of Hook’s departure, New Order resumed touring in 2011 with Bad Lieutenant’s Tom Chapman on bass and in 2015 dropped their most recent studio LP, Music Complete (81,326 sales), via Mute Records, to widespread acclaim. Two years later the band headlined Manchester International Festival with the Liam Gillick collaboration ∑(NO,12K,LG,17MIF). The performance was released as a live album this summer.
Robinson discusses the challenges of balancing the need to protect the band’s legacy with seeking fresh opportunities. “A lot of the time it involves turning down things,” he explains. “Turning down offers for tours and dates because we just have to pace ourselves. That’s the secret of New Order’s longevity really – pacing. It’s up to them to decide what they want to do, we just facilitate it. At the moment they’re enjoying a reasonable level of touring. I don’t know if we’re going to be making more records, but I would hope so.”
24 | Music Week 25.11.19
musicweek.com
Order in the house: The managers with New Order at the Artist & Manager Awards
arlier this month, the Prime Management duo were recognised by the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition with the prestigious Managers’ Manager Award at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards at Bloomsbury Big Top in London.
“Rebecca and Andy have overseen and navigated New Order’s career for 20 years, in challenging times as well as good, and have massive respect throughout the music management community,” MMF CEO Annabella Coldrick tells Music Week. “They have not only safeguarded the important legacy of Joy Division, who mean so much to so many people, but have also consistently grown the career of New Order, who are still releasing hugely acclaimed records and touring all over the world whilst remaining firmly rooted in Manchester. They’re also genuinely lovely people.” “I was slightly bemused at first, but I’m proud to win it,” smiles Boulton. “We’re in good company in terms of who has won it before.”
“It’s great to be acknowledged when you’ve spent your life doing something,” adds Robinson.
Robinson rates the band’s show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in 2017 as a personal highlight of his tenure. “I’m very pleased by how New Order are currently positioned,” he notes. “They’re in a good place, well respected and well known. We’ve been through quite a few ups and downs and we’re on quite an up at the moment.
“The secret of New Order’s longevity is pacing. We just facilitate what they want to do”
ANDY ROBINSON PRIME MANAGEMENT
“I’m also very pleased with the last album. It’s amazing that after that long in the music industry the band can produce such a great record, it just shows what a fantastic band they are.” New Order have worked with Mute Records since 2015, while the New Order and Joy Division catalogues are with Warner Music and Universal Music Publishing Group. This year has also seen a deluxe reissue of the former’s 1981 debut Movement and the 40th anniversary of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, both on Warner’s Rhino label.
“It’s been interesting going back to Mute, we’ve enjoyed returning to the indie world,” says Robinson. “But at the same time, we enjoy working with Warner. The combination of Mute as the frontline label and Warner doing catalogue works well. It’d be hard to be a frontline act at Warner with the pressure they put on those acts, it just wouldn’t work with us. But at Mute we can do that with people who understand us.”
Along with releasing their live album, New Order’s 2019 activities have included festival headline appearances in the UK and further slots around Europe, and they will head to the US, Japan and Australia in 2020.
New day rising: New Order continue to do stellar live business
Summing up the last 20 years, Boulton smiles: “There have been massive ups and downs, obviously. But I feel like what we’ve achieved is helping the band with their goal to keep moving forward while, at the same time, looking back and making sure the catalogue is done responsibly and carefully, that reissues are done properly and that they’re something they can all be proud of – and I think we’ve managed to do that.” And that’s not just the legend, it’s the truth.
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