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PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT
20 April 2023
@The Junction, Cambridge
I had the pleasure of attending Peter Hook and the Light's gig at
The Junction in Cambridge, and it was a truly unforgettable experience.
As a long-time fan of Joy Division and New Order, I had high expectations
for the show, and I was not disappointed! Unusually, there was no
support act but once I saw the set times it became obvious that we
were in for nearly 3 hours of classics! - Hooky was a ledge.
The show began with a set of New Order classics, with Hooky taking
centre stage on bass and providing lead vocals for most of the songs.
His bass playing was as powerful and commanding as ever, driving the
songs forward with his signature melodic style. The rest of the band
was equally impressive, with guitarist David Potts capturing the dark
and brooding sound of Joy Division's original guitarist, Bernard Sumner,
and Paul Duffy providing a solid and propulsive rhythm section on
bass when Hooky was singing.
Highlights of the New Order set included a solid rendition of ‘Crystal’
which showcased Hook's emotional vocal delivery, and an uplifting
performance of ‘Regret’, a personal favourite, which had
the entire crowd bouncing and singing along. Disappointingly though,
no ‘Blue Monday’ or ‘True Faith’ – what’s
going on Hooky?!
After a short break, the band returned to the stage to give us some
fans' favourites from the legendary Joy Division album, ‘Unknown
Pleasures’, with Hooky once again taking on lead vocal duties.
As this section of the set progressed it occurred to me that we were
actually been given the whole album, in chronological song order!
– something I was not expecting, none the less, a pleasant surprise!
Hook's bass playing on these songs was as infectious as ever, and
he seemed to be having a great time onstage, smiling and joking with
his bandmates – although there was not much banter with the audience.
The album set included deep cuts of ‘Disorder’ and ‘Shadow
play’ which allowed the band to showcase their range and versatility.
Potts' guitar work was particularly impressive on these songs, adding
a shimmering, atmospheric quality to the band's sound that perfectly
complemented Hook's driving bass lines. And of course, Hook’s
version of ‘She’s Lost Control’ went down a treat with
the aging Cambridge punks.
After another brief intermission, the band returned to the stage to
play us yet another full album and this time it was the full song
list from ‘Closer’ – another Joy Division cult classic.
Hooky switched to a four-string bass for this part of the show, and
his playing was as dynamic and infectious as ever. The band knocked
out classics like ‘Isolation’, ‘Colony’ and ‘Heart
and Soul’ as well as deeper cuts like ‘The Eternal’
and played with a precision and intensity that was both impressive
and exhilarating. As the momentum continued the audience responded
in kind, dancing and singing along to every word. One thing was for
sure, you really needed to be a hard-core Joy Division fan tonight,
and luckily, I was!
The show ended with a one-two punch of ‘Ceremony’ and ‘Transmission’
followed by a right hook of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ 3
of the most beloved songs in the Joy Division/New Order canon. The
crowd sang along to every word, and Hooky seemed genuinely moved by
the audience's response. As the final notes of "Love Will Tear
Us Apart" faded away, the band took their bows and left the stage
to thunderous applause.
Overall, Peter Hook and The Light put on an incredible performance
that showcased the enduring power of Joy Division and New Order's
music. Hook's bass playing was as dynamic and essential as ever, and
his vocals were surprisingly strong and emotional. The rest of the
band were equally impressive, capturing the unique sound and spirit
of Hook's former bands while adding their own unique energy and flair.
Whether you are a die-hard fan of Joy Division and New Order or just
a casual listener, seeing Peter Hook and The Light live is an experience
that you won't soon forget.
Words and Pics by Dan Sly
www.chockyboyzmedia.com
Big thanks to Thom at Sonic PR for arranging this
for us.
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