The critically acclaimed New Order album “Get Ready” was the feature of Peter Hook and the Light’s tour. In 2001, it was dedicated to the band’s long-time friend and mentor Rob Gretton. It became a welcomed addition to the soundscape the band created throughout their existence.
The weather was bleak and miserable. It did its best to provide an austere backdrop to the evening. However, the dreariness was left at the door. For the most part, the audience was transfixed on Hooky. He would also share the spotlight with his fellow band mates as they all took their turn to shine. Saltire flags were draped across various bits of kit on the stage. This was a nice touch for those partisan members of the crowd. The band certainly didn’t need the addition of the flags. Music transcends boundaries, and everyone in the building was there to pay homage to the songs. What better way to hear them live than having Peter Hook and the Light play them?
“Get Ready” was faithfully reproduced in its entirety and the revered album got a great reception. Hooky even had “Get Ready Edie” hand painted on the back of his white shirt. A reference to playing Ian Edinburgh. Joy Division may have been the lure for the majority. However, many audience members were mouthing the lyrics. This showed that the New Order back catalogue was an essential part of the evening. The album is a tour de force. Although it might not be toted as a top 3 by the hardened New Order fans, its appeal is enduring. Right throughout the opening set, you could feel the connection with the audience. The album was delivered with clinical precision. Right up to the final song, David Potts stole the limelight. He almost solo’d the song “Run Wild” with just his guitar. Potts vocal is reminiscent of Bernard Sumner’s voice and gives a real feel to the songs he sings. With nearly an hour gone, the opening set ends with two more New Order songs. The songs are “Brutal” from The Beach soundtrack and “Here to Stay”. Both are from the same era as “Get Ready”.
After a short break, the band returned to run through the much-anticipated Joy Division releases. Although the band only recorded two studio albums, they have been revered by every musical generation since their inception. The opening song “Exercise One” from the posthumous release “Still” gave me goose bumps. It served as a reminder that Ian Curtis had already passed before the double album’s release. There was “a change of speed, a change of style” with “New Dawn Fades” and the seminal songs kept coming. Peter Hook and The Light have mixed up their live set every night. This keeps things fresh for anyone catching multiple gigs. One of these alternate songs “Komakino” took me by surprise. Hearing the iconic 7″ singles “Transmission” and “These Days” was great. The latter is a ‘B’ side of the band’s highest charting song.
The final run in of songs were predominantly from the New Order catalogue. You could feel the energy in the room ramping up. The somber songs of Joy Division were replaced with the vibrant electronic based rhythms of New Order. There was even room for “What Do You Want From Me”. This was the single from Monaco, the band with Peter Hook, David Potts, and drummer Paul Kehoe. David Potts was very animated during the song. He encouraged the crowd to sing along by cupping his hand round his ear. The lively interaction continued right to the end of the gig.
Kehoe was relieved from drumming duties when the drum machine beats of “Blue Monday” punched out from the P.A. Jack Bates shared bass duties with his father. Yves Altana, the multi-instrumentalist who tours with Hooky, was on hand all evening. He swapped instruments to suit the backing required. Martin Rebelski’s input was prominent during the final few songs. The set culminated with “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. His synths drove the seminal song. The audience were at full voice singing along with the chorus.
The passion is still there. As long as there’s an audience, Peter Hook shows no signs of slowing down. He ripped his shirt from his back. He threw it to a teenage fan on the barrier. You could see the connection with the crowd still means everything to him.
November
20 – Holmfirth, Picturedrome
21 – Bath, Komedia
22 – Cambridge, Junction
27 – Lincoln, Engine Shed
28 – Lytham, Pavilion
29 – Leeds, O2 Academy
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