P&P Spotlight: Peter Hook
Falling in love with a band is something that sticks with you for life. Whether you’re in your 20s and grew up with One Direction, or you’re a Gen X who witnessed Joy Division and New Order’s most active years in real time, you’d probably agree that fans’ support often outlives the bands themselves.
If you’re not familiar with Joy Division and New Order, these two groups consist of almost the same member lineup. Ian Curtis’ tragic passing in 1980 marked the end of Joy Division; later that year, the surviving members began making music again under the name New Order. Their legendary and genre-defining work continues to shape the course of the rock scene to this day, with icons such as The Smashing Pumpkins and The Killers drawing inspiration from them. This November, Joy Division and New Order will be inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
YOU'LL LOVE PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT IF YOU LISTEN TO: Joy Division, New Order, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, The Cure, Sex Pistols, The Velvet Underground, Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C.
One Direction and Joy Division/New Order both split over a decade ago, and sadly each band has a member who is no longer with us. However, we must keep celebrating their impact and ensure that their legacy lives on. New Order bassist Peter Hook recently played a show at the Hollywood Palladium, a memorable night which did just that.
Peter Hook performed with his bandmates from The Light, a project he started in 2010, including his son Jack Bates. The first half of the set largely consisted of songs from Get Ready, New Order’s seventh studio album, followed by a brief intermission. Beloved MTV host Matt Pinefield introduced Peter ahead of the second half of the show, speaking of their timelessness and contributions to the rock world.
Peter then proceeded to play some of Joy Division and New Order’s greatest hits. He began with “No Love Lost,” dedicated to the late Ian Curtis. The energy from fans skyrocketed as Peter moved through classics such as “Disorder,” “Isolation,” “Digital,” and several others. In a complete surprise which reignited the crowd, Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club joined him onstage for “Ceremony.” The show concluded with powerful renditions of the synth-pop banger “Blue Monday” and the cathartic “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” perhaps the most well-known songs in Joy Division and New Order’s discographies. It was definitely an emotional night, as many concertgoers were moved to tears by that unforgettable encore.
All photos in the gallery above taken by Karly Ramnani.
The live performance of every song resonated with an audience full of Joy Division and New Order lovers, who have followed the bands’ journey for almost their whole lives. While the show carried bittersweet undertones, the joy in the room was contagious. There’s something so beautiful about a longtime fan hearing their favorite songs live - songs that defined not just their own formative years, but a few decades of the world’s musical landscape.
The atmosphere of Peter Hook & The Light’s current tour proves that our love for music never fades with age. Not only that, the music of bands as influential as Joy Division and New Order remains a cultural staple all these years later. As always, we’ll leave you with a playlist featuring our Joy Division & New Order picks. And if you want to experience this magic in person, there’s still a few cities left on tour - grab your tickets now!
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