Peter Hook & The Light Amaze At The Metro With New Order And Joy Division Sets

Nov 02, 2016 James Currie Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Bobby Talamine

Peter Hook never ceases to amaze. Even with the controlled chaos outside of the Metro- with the Cubs back in town for game three of the World Series, Clark Street blocked off to traffic, Peter not even getting to the venue until the early evening because of traffic restrictions and without a proper soundcheck, and on and on. Not for the faint hearted, I tell ya. But excitement before the show ensues. All you have to do is look towards the drum riser: and there it is: Hooky’s Viking Cherry Red Bass Guitar, standing upright. Man, does Peter make that bass talk.

Have admired Peter for years, with that completely identifiable sound that he produces on such classic New Order songs such as “Bizarre Love Triangle”, “True Faith”, and “Blue Monday” to name a few. So tonight at the Metro, and throughout his current North American Tour, Peter is resurrecting his old bands, performing “Substance: Joy Division and New Order”.

It’s clear that Peter’s legend and unique style of bass playing have only grown bigger and bigger. Peter has formed a new band over the past couple of years with his son Jack Bates, calling themselves Peter Hook & The Light. Their mantra is simple: honor and expand on the brilliant legacy that is of Ian Curtis and Joy Division, along with the majestic songwriting and bass playing that is so evident in New Order.

I was amazed at how good they sounded live, especially when comparing Peter’s voice to Ian’s, let alone Bernard of New Order. The playing is not the hard part. the band can handle that, along with the backing tapes. The trick is to match the vocals. This truly can never be spot on. We can all quibble to no end on that. The way to overcome any doubt is to sing the songs with conviction and passion. Then you win over the crowd. And that they did. Surveying the audience on the floor, you can see that most were into it, dancing in their space, soaking in the sonic bliss of the gorgeous music and songwriting.

The first set was all New Order, with a short intermission, followed by all things Joy Division, and ending with one of the most influential and groundbreaking songs of all time: “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. Back in the day, having seen New Order countless times, what fired me up was standing stage left/ audience right, looking toward’s Peter’s amps, and seeing the made up sign on one of his Marshall’s: “The Bass: How Low Can You Go”. The sign is nowhere to be found as of today on said amps. But it doesn’t matter. It’s etched in my mind surveying the stage before Peter goes on. And he never disappoints. Peter Hook & the Light are back for an encore at the Metro on Thursday November 10th. I suggest you go to this. Not to be missed.

For more on Peter Hook & The Light, click here

For photos from the Metro show, click here

Peter Hook & The Light Setlist- Metro Chicago:

New Order
1: In a Lonely Place ( New Order Song)
2: Procession (N.O. Song)
3: Cries and Whispers (N.O. Song)
4: Ceremony (N.O. Song)
5: Everything’s Gone Green (N.O. Song)
6: Temptation (N.O. Song)
7: Blue Monday (N.O. Song)
8: Confusion (N.O. Song)
9: Thieves Like Us (N.O.Song)
10: The Perfect Kiss (N.O. Song)
11: Subculture (N.O. Song)
12: Shellshock (N.O. song)
13: State of The Nation (N.O. Song)
14: Bizarre Love Triangle (N.O. song)
15: True Faith (N.O. song)
16: 1963 (N.O. song)

INTERMISSION

Joy Division
17: No Love Lost (J.D. song)
18: Novelty
19: From Safety To Where…?
20: Komakino
21: These Days
22: Warsaw
23: Leaders of Men
24: Digital
25: Autosuggestion
26: Transmission
27: She’s Lost Control
28: Incubation
29: Dead Souls
30: Atmosphere
31: Love Will Tear Us Apart