Legendary Post Punk Bassist Turned Front Man Of His Own Legacy, Peter Hook, Shines At The Riviera Highlighting His Legacy With Dual Classic Albums Live

Sep 09, 2024 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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By James Currie

It was a cool September evening in Chicago, and the vibrant energy of the city was pulsating through the walls of the iconic Riviera Theater. The stage was set for a night to remember, as music aficionados from all walks of life gathered in anticipation of experiencing the legendary Peter Hook and the Light live in concert.

Introduced by an equally legendary Chicago icon, club owner Joe Shanahan introduces his longtime friend to the house of packed fans. As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd, and the delicate strum of a guitar filled the air. The stage was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow as Peter Hook, the enigmatic frontman, stepped into the spotlight. His presence was magnetic, commanding the attention of every soul in the room.

With a nod to his bandmates and wave to the audience, the hypnotic rhythm of New Order’s “Murder” reverberated through the theater, stirring the crowd into a frenzy. Peter’s haunting vocals intertwined with the haunting melody, creating an atmosphere that was both nostalgic and electrifying. The audience swayed as one, lost in the music that seemed to transcend time and space.

Starting the nights long set of music was from his time with New Order. Hook and the Light played the entire ‘Substance’ album through front to back.

As the night unfolded, each song was a journey into the past, a kaleidoscope of memories and emotions. The pulsating basslines, the soaring guitar solos, and the thunderous drums created a sonic tapestry that enveloped the listeners in a symphony of sound. Hits like “Blue Monday” and “Bizarre Love Triangle” sent waves of euphoria through the audience, who sang along with fervor.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated the crowd; it was the raw emotion and vulnerability that Peter Hook exuded with every note. His voice was a raw, emotive force that laid bare his soul for all to see, drawing the audience into a shared experience of catharsis and release.

As the night wore on, the energy in the theater reached a fever pitch. Peter Hook’s stage presence was hypnotic, his movements fluid and graceful as he danced across the stage, connecting with the audience on a primal level. The band played with an intensity that bordered on transcendental, each member feeding off the energy of the other in a symbiotic dance of music and emotion.

A pause took place as the band reset to continue on with Joy Division and the ‘Substance’ album in its entirety where we heard all the iconic Dark Wave tracks like, “Transmission”, “Dead Souls” and ending with everyone’s favoritre, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”.

And then, as the final strains of Joy Division set echoed through the theater, a sense of collective euphoria washed over the crowd. The music had ceased, but the memories lingered, a tapestry of moments woven together by the power of music and art.

As the audience filed out of the theater, their hearts still pounding and ears still ringing, there was a sense of wonder and awe in the air. For they had experienced something truly magical, a night of music that transcended the mundane and touched the very core of their being.

And so, as the lights of the Riviera Theater dimmed and the echoes of the night faded into the ether, the spirit of Peter Hook and the Light lingered on, a beacon of inspiration and creativity that would continue to illuminate the hearts and minds of all who had been fortunate enough to witness their magic.

Setlist: Peter Hook and the Light Live at The Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL September 7th, 2024

New Order Set:

1. Murder
2. Regret
3. Vanishing Point

New Order Album Substance Complete:

1. Ceremony
2. Everything’s Gone Green
3. Temptation
4. Blue Monday
5. Confusion
6. Thieves Like Us
7. Perfect Kiss
8. Subculture
9. Shellshock
10. State of the Nation
11. Bizarre Love Triangle
12. True Faith

Joy Division Set:

1. The Sound of Music
2. From Safety to Where?
3. New Dawn Fades
4. Disorder

Joy Division Album Substance Complete:

1. Warsaw
2. Leaders of Men
3. Digital
4. Autosuggestion
5. Transmission
6. She’s Lost Control
7. Shadowplay
8. Incubation
9. Dead Souls
10. Atomsphere
11. Love Will Tear Us Apart

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• 2024, Chicago, concert review, In The Loop Magazine, Joy Division, live, New Order, Peter Hook, Peter Hook and the Light, Riviera Theatre, The Riv

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