Buzzcocks, Magazine, Joy Division, New Order – growing up in Manchester it is these bands that were rarely off my turntable as a teenager and a lifelong love of all four has continued to this day. Thankfully one still tours and releases new material and, through Peter Hook – bass player extraordinaire with Joy Division and New Order – we can still get to experience the live sounds of the latter two. Well known for epic long sets playing whole Joy Division/New Order albums followed by a selection of other classics any Peter Hook & The Light gig is a must see for fans of either band. This time around Hooky is touring New Order’s 2001 album ‘Get Ready’. Released after an eight year hiatus following the run of hugely successful albums in the ’80’s and ‘Republic’ in 1993. ‘Get Ready’ marked New Order’s comeback after years of internal friction and other projects by each member. It also marked a departure from their heavily dance/club inspired output of the late 80’s and a return to the bass heavy, coarser guitar sounds of early New Order. Peter Hook has said he hated some tracks at the time but trimming some parts, making it more snappy has altered his opinion and “Fuck me, it sounds fantastic now.” (NE Volume interview). This reviewer agrees 100%.
Peter Hook & The Light stroll on stage and from the opening keyboard notes of ‘Crystal’ we know this is going to be a great gig. ‘Get Ready’ is played in full, in order. ‘Crystal’ and ’60 Miles An Hour’ full of those distinctive signature riffs from Hooky’s low slung bass, complemented by extra bass from son Jack, shimmering guitar work from David Potts, and irresistible drum beats from Paul Kehoe. ‘Turn My Way’ turns into a fan singalong and not by just a few. ‘Rock The Shack’ is a powerful onslaught of slicing guitar with a huge nod to some really early Joy Division. Live ‘Get Ready’ certainly hits home with more power than the studio output. Perhaps the only downside to playing an album in order is that there’s little/no room for surprises. We know exactly what’s coming next but even so to hear songs that in the past have rarely/never been heard in a live setting makes it special for any New Order fan. And handing a significant amount of the vocal duties over to David Potts works perfectly, his voice a much closer match to Bernard Sumner’s. Album complete Hooky dedicates the next number to Leanardo DiCaprio and we’re treated to a storming version of ‘Brutal’ before the massive dance beats of ‘Here To Stay’ has Boiler Shop bouncing to close the first half of this remarkable gig.
Ten minutes later Peter Hook & The Light are back on stage and what follows is nothing less than a perfect run through of not just a few but nineteeen Joy Division/New Order cuts. ‘No Love Lost’ opens. It’s raw, visceral, gut punching. As is ‘Leaders Of Men’. Both taken from Joy Division’s debut EP, An Ideal For Living. ‘Warsaw’ reminds us that in their original form this band was very much in the punk rock camp. All hit home just how exciting it was to be discovering the new music coming out of Manchester as a teenager forty seven years ago. To then follow these with the abrasive, cutting guitar of ‘Interzone’ make this so much more than a nostalgia trip. It’s a powerful reminder that music has the ability to change the course of someone’s life. Not just back then but now aswell. Boiler Shop isn’t just full of the middle aged looking to relive their youth. There’s a significant number of youngsters. Youngsters who haven’t just been dragged along by their parents or who only know those massive NO hits. These people know these songs. They dance, they sing along, they are completely lost in these songs. Of course the big ones are played. ‘She’s Lost Control’, ‘Transmission’ and the always heartbreaking ‘Atmosphere’ never lose their impact regardless of how much time passes.
The Joy Division set is followed by an impeccable slice through New Order’s history of perfect pop bangers. The place erupts for ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Perfect Kiss’ and joins in word for word throughout ‘Love Vigilantes’. That massive bass guitar riff of ‘Age Of Consent’ punches through us before it’s topped off with the glorious guitar solo from Potts. ‘Ceremony’ has my heart beating fast and a lump in my throat as I’m taken straight back to my 16 year old self. The final run to the end of this magical night unites everyone. Not a still foot in the place as Peter Hook & The Light power through ‘Temptation’ and ‘True Faith’. Of course they finish with ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and, as always, it is huge.
I was lucky enough to see Joy Division back in the day as well as numerous early New Order gigs. We can’t bring those heady days back but what Peter Hook & The Light can do and do do is bring those songs into the 21st Century, keep them alive, bring new audiences on board and remind us of just what an incredible output those two bands had and of their impact on musical and youth culture.
photos & words: steve white
Click on any image below to open a slide show of more photos.
