Their set unfolded in three sections, beginning with Get Ready played in full. The Light have elevated the album, giving me a new appreciation for songs I once found too ‘pop-ish’. Opener ‘Crystal’ kicked the night into action and set the tone for the rest of the first act. A standout moment came with ‘Turn My Way’, made vastly better simply by the absence of Billy Corgan’s nasal backing vocals. David Potts – Hook’s former bandmate in both Revenge and Monaco - provided brilliant high-register backing vocals, and even a spot-on Bernard Sumner impression when needed.
Not every Get Ready track landed, though. Songs like ’60 Miles an Hour’ and ‘Run Wild’, while improved, still fell flat for much of the crowd. That’s a testament more to the material than the band, who delivered energetically throughout as Hook constantly paced the stage like a man determined to break his step count.
After a short break, the band returned with full force, launching straight into Joy Division’s ‘Transmission’ – and into the strongest section of the night. Hook reached deep into the band’s catalogue, with thunderous versions of ‘Digital’ and ‘Warsaw’, before ‘Disorder’ sent waves of movement through the crowd.
Then came a gut punch: the haunting groove of Closer’s ‘Heart and Soul’. The atmosphere in the room was nearly indescribable; I think many of those in the crowd shared my belief that they would never hear this song live. Hook’s emotional delivery of some of Ian Curtis’ greatest poetry, paired with blinding flashes and pounding snare fills, left me in tears. I exchanged a knowing look with a similarly affected middle-aged man before turning my attention back to the final Joy Division songs. ‘She’s Lost Control’ was especially meaningful for me as someone with epilepsy, and ‘Atmosphere’ closed the segment with quiet devastation.
As I wiped my eyes on the collar of my shirt, I watched the band ease into the final act: New Order. They began with the serene ‘Your Silent Face’ – complete with a surprisingly effective live melodica. Hearing a packed room sing "why don’t you piss off?" was very amusing. ‘Ceremony’ followed – another Curtis-era heartbreaker. A few lesser-known tracks followed, before the crowd roared back to life with ‘Regret’, ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘True Faith’.
For the penultimate song, ‘Temptation’, the band brought all their strengths to the fore. Hook’s stunning chorus-lined bassline flowed seamlessly through melancholy synth, while he and Potts blended vocals to croon "I’ve never met anyone quite like you before", capturing all those feelings of long-lost love. I think I may have cried again - but by that point, I’d lost track.
Then, silence – brief, but expectant. One classic had yet to appear. An unmistakable chord rang out, the drums kicked in, and that beautiful synth line flowed through the room. The venue erupted as the band launched into a stadium-sized version of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. They tapered halfway through, leaving space for the crowd to chant the chorus in a final, euphoric release - a perfect close to a monolithic performance.
It was incredibly moving to hear the songs of people’s lives performed with such intricacy. Peter Hook and the Light are bearing the torch of Joy Division (and New Order) with real integrity. If you get the chance to see them, don’t pass it up – they’re on stunning form.
Peter Hook and the Light play Durham’s Stone Valley North Festival on 8 August. For full details, visit peterhookandthelight.live.
Brilliant article about a brilliant bloke. Whilst the rest of his ex-bandmates are playing a under whelming gig currently in Salt Lake City Hooky still maintains his integrity and passion for and art he has invested in all his life. Roll on Durham festival. Respect Peter Hook.
And I think the majority of Joy Division and New Order fans would shed bucket loads of tears of Hooky was part of the band before they start checking out.