A young Dutch tribute band was the first to launch joy, playing every Joy Division song like the actors did in Control. The singer’s movements differently, though, but you truly need some epileptic inclination to copy Curtis. No problem, the audience demanded Transmission and She’s lost control again. Live performances of such old yet valid, dark new wave are better than listening to DJ sets or a CD playing at home, not to mention that the audience members can excite one another in punk nostalgia, which results in memorable scenes. Once I saw myself dancing some nu czardas with Soma Mamagesha, with people around supporting us. To be frank, that came a bit later, after a few friendly drink offers and the Closer to Curtis gig. At such a rock marathon, instead of a powerful overture you must save energy for the end. The copy band, established upon the excitement over the release of Control, calmly evoked the melancholic songs of the legendary era, and you could dance to them as if they were not gloomy at all.
De Staat, a more creative line-up of five, carried us on into the night. Somehow they also evoked that old atmosphere, but they used bold rhythm patterns for the riffs. They will not be more popular than their ideal, but are already more energetic. The new Dutch shooting stars played their instruments tough, as if this was their last gig ever. At that moment, some good vibration set in on the ship, and the band and the audience could perfectly co-operate, it was like in a modern-age barn that hosted a punk dance night. All hell broke loose before the concert ended.

Péter Müller an his J.D. Isolated were the last to take to the stage. The Hungarian underground legend is a real Joy Division fan, and that he has developed his music beyond the point his ideal ever reached is a bonus for us – he has already given us so much good music. When I last saw him, it was this Joy Division programme he was playing at Sziget Festival, with a different line-up. This time – and recently – he is on stage with world-famous jazz pianist Béla Szakcsi Lakatos. The whole party was twisted then, and the audience just stood and stared at how this nostalgia could be approached in such a jazzy style. They created a festive atmosphere, together with other renowned musicians and an exquisite brass session, and we could celebrate as there was nothing else to do. Well, life is good, better than death. “For hundred thousand years I have been gazing and suddenly I see what's there to see.”