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Peter Hook is no stranger to Perth. The Manchester legend has performed in the world’s most isolated city every few years. Yet, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was the long-lost brother from the reception he received. The admiration for Hooky remains as steadfast his bow-legged guitar stance.

The Astor was packed with fans spanning generations: old punk rockers, UK expats, goths, and everyone in between. Proving the impact his former bands, New Order and Joy Division, have on modern music remains strong. From the melancholic punk beginnings of Joy Division, which evolved into the fusion of hedonism and haunting synthesized melodies of New Order, their music has influenced generations of musicians and producers.

On this Substance Tour, Peter Hook and his band, The Light, were introduced by an old school chum who now lives in Perth before opening with the cathedral hymn grandeur of “In A Lonely Place” and the meandering “Lonesome Tonight.” Hook and his band, adorned in classic all-black garb, have played together for years. With seasoned players, David Potts (guitar), Paul Kehoe (drums), Martin Rebelski (keyboards, synthesizers) and son Jack Bates (guitar, bass) as his band, Hook had the freedom to give a masterclass in performance.

Hook is known for his distinctive high-register playing and commanding stage presence. You could argue he’s in the same league as Macca for beloved English bassists.

When the setlist delved into New Order’s Substance album, the crowd came to life. “Ceremony” kicked off with a driving drum beat, Hook’s melodic bass, and shimmering guitars. He kept up the energy straight into the electro-twang guitar riff of “Everything’s Gone Green” with its pulsating synth beat, later culminating in the intense emotion of “Temptation.” Hook moved the full length of the stage between songs, peering into the crowd, who yelled out support, “Bring it home Hooky!” and “Here we go!” The crowd sang, people danced, and the music exuded a poignant urgency.

“Blue Monday” had its outing, and though it may be revered as THE classic club hit, it wasn’t the highlight when you had other tasty morsels like “Shellshock” and “True Faith” to groove to, or the most hauntingly melancholic love song, “Bizarre Love Triangle.”

Throughout the set, sound levels were a sticking point, and Hook began to get distracted. A pull on Ventolin didn’t seem to help during “Thieves Like Us,” as he stopped the show mid-song to apologise while needing a few minutes to recover from an apparent asthma attack. Eventually, he returned, but his voice remained breathy for the rest of the gig, although his playing remained tight like a drum.

Intermissions for rock concerts are unusual, but for a Peter Hook show, it’s necessary to change gears into the distinct dark sound of Joy Division. It’s breathtaking to see how Joy Division evolved into the high sheen of New Order. A listen to “Inside The Line” made you appreciate Hook’s relentless bassline, still brimming with raw punk energy. Through “Transmission” and “Incubation,” the band kept everyone’s attention zeroed in. With driving drums and guitars, it made for a stark contrast to the vibrant synthesised diversity and hooky riffs of the New Order set.

Standout “Warsaw” was pure rebellious grit, and the ominous “Shadowplay” was fierce, proving to be a communal catharsis. Dotted throughout the show, Hook treated the crowd to a couple of B-sides: “Mesh” and “1963.” By the end of a 38-song setlist, many in the crowd were cracking backs and knees, Hook other the other hand looked like he could go another 10 songs.

However, all good things must come to an end, and there is no greater ending than “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Overtaken by the audience’s singing, its mournful lyrics morphed into something bittersweet. Hook shows no signs of abating. His ability to bridge the past with the present while shunning fads and remaining fiercely revered by fans makes him one of the most vital live performers to witness.

4 Stars

NEW ORDER
‘SUBSTANCE’
Tracklisting 

Ceremony
Everything’s Gone Green
Temptation
Blue Monday
Confusion
Thieves Like Us
The Perfect Kiss
Sub-culture
Shellshock
State of the Nation
Bizarre Love Triangle
True Faith

JOY DIVISION
‘SUBSTANCE’
Tracklisting 

Warsaw
Leaders of Men
Digital
Autosuggestion
Transmission
She’s Lost Control
Incubation
Dead Souls
Atmosphere
Love Will Tear Us Apart

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PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT, BRISBANE, 25th November // Photo – Matt Young

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 “New Order … one of the most significant groups ever” – BBC Music

“The music is truly joyful, and Hooky belted it out with heartfelt passion” – Reviews Hub 

“It is probably the best performance and emotional reaction I’ve ever seen at a gig… astounding” – All Music 

“’A masterclass in euphoria and heartache in equal measure…” – Gigwise

“Hooky is doing a fantastic job of continuing Ian Curtis’ legacy” – The Mic Magazine 

“It was certainly one of those special shows were the venue, artist, and fans all clicked perfectly to make for a very memorable experience”
– Rock Subculture

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PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT, BRISBANE, 25th November // Photo – Matt Young

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Follow PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT, BRISBANE, 25th November // Photo – Matt Young

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Press Release 2nd August 2023 (below) HERE

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
playing both
THE JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER
Albums ‘SUBSTANCE’ in full
on 2024 Australian Tour

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AMNPLIFY – DB