On Saturday night, Manchester’s 02 Victoria Warehouse welcomed Salford legend Peter Hook and the Light. The band consisting of Peter Hook (formerly of Joy Division and New Order) Jack Bates (Bass), Martin Rebelski on keys, David Potts on guitar and Paul Kehoe on drums did their utmost to deliver the entire 2001 New Order album ‘Get Ready’ in all its glory.
Rated as one of the best 50 albums released in 2001 by Q Magazine, it was easy to hear why. Kicking off with ‘Crystal’, it was immediately evident by the crowd’s response just what this album meant to the dedicated fans after its original release following an 8-year hiatus. A ‘comeback album’ that felt like the sun had come back out after a period of relentless rain. Supercharged with nostalgic spirit, Peter and the band powered through the album with unrelenting enthusiasm, the audience, lapping up every morsal with looks of total satisfaction at the end of each track.
The sun had just come back out for a second time and I, like many of this marvellous crowd, was basking in the warmth of its rays. Singles ‘60 miles an hour’ and ‘Someone like you’ received the expected response without disrespecting the unreleased gems of the album. Personal favourites ‘Turn my Way’ and Close Range’ gave me joy before Peter concluded the first set with the final track, giving emphasis to the title “this is a song called ‘Here to stay’ … which
gave way to crowd whistles and cheers.
Following a short interval, the audience were immersed into another 1 hour set of all the classics. I don’t really need to tell you how this went down but the intro of the consistent deep downstream of ‘Transmission’ had the post-punk ‘die hards’ jumping and singing like their lives depended on it. This impressive setlist left nothing out, playing exactly what the audience wanted.
The nectar of Joy Division and New Order served up with plenty of enthusiasm and dedication to making sure no one was left wanting. Midway through the set, Peter dedicated the beautifully enigmatic ‘Atmosphere’ to the passing of his friend, receiving respectful whistles from the crowd. Continuing on, ‘Ceremony’ was the fuel to the audience engine, followed by classics ‘Regret’ and ‘What do you want from me’ before giving everyone that “I’ve just
arrived at a 90’s nightclub” feeling with ‘Vanishing point’.
The simplicity of the bass and beats of this frankly gorgeous dance classic had everyone dancing. The nclusion of this track in the setlist in my opinion was absolute genius, particularly as it was followed by ‘Blue Monday’ who’s intro gave way to raucous shouts of appreciation, partnered by clumsily raised beer glasses and cheshire cat smiles.
Could this gig get any better? That was until ‘True Faith’ and Temptation’ made their appearance. That was it,
dancing and air-punching fists were now the order of the evening with melodic shouting’s of “oh you’ve got green eyes, oh you’ve got blue eyes’.
The evening closes with the expected ‘Love Will Tear us apart’ with every audience member singing the anthemic line at the top of their voice. Everyone dancing, everyone singing. This is Manchester reliving its finest musical moments. Workhorse, Peter removes his sodden T Shirt to donate to a lucky audience member. Wash before wear I’d say. But definitely wear! Peter Hook and the Light have managed it again. Their decision to revisit their discography and tour the ‘Substance’ album was literally music to their fans ears but to continue with yet another tour and perform
‘Get Ready’ and still maintain this level of passion and enthusiasm a 2 hour set can demand, is total dedication.
There’s something to be said for the resilience of a frontman with a musical career spanning over 45 years, constantly transforming with each challenge and let’s be honest, they’ve had their fair share. Personally, I have an admiration for anyone who goes ‘against the grain’ where at the core their intentions are simple – bringing music to the people that want to hear it. I, like others left this gig wanting more so when I heard the announcement of more UK dates to be released following their North American trip, I was more than pleased. In response to Saturday’s gig, all I can say is I’m pleased Peter Hook and the Light are ‘here to stay’ so please… ‘keep it coming’ Peter.
WORDS AND PHOTO CREDIT SHAVORNE WILBRAHAM
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