New Order is a name that speaks many languages and has long had a broad reach around the world. The former Joy Division members made much musical history and took their act worldwide from Manchester to the masses. Sadly, the band could not maintain their firm bond they forged together as members of Joy Division. After years as an alliance they chose to no longer take the stage together and go separately into new projects.

Peter Hook formed the Light right around 2010 and began by performing material from the only two Joy Division studio albums.

On May 2, 2015 at Asheville's Orange Peel, however, Peter Hook set out to perform three full sets of songs from his long career and pay tribute to former band mate Ian Curtis.

The Orange Peel is a fine venue, complete with open room for possible dancing and large fans for necessary breathing. With the direct absence of any opening acts Hook and the Light took the stage promptly at 9:20 to share the music of Joy Division and New Order with the well sold audience.

"She" may have lost control, but band leader and namesake Peter Hook has firm control of his musical endeavors. As the set began he motioned to the sound engineer whenever his band-mates needed any elevation or additional support. The first song of the opening set was “Elegia”, a New Order instrumental that pays tribute to the late Ian Curtis in a moving way. Hook sat alone in the middle of the stage performing his part on his trusty bass guitar as he weaved in and out with his more recent band mates, all of whom are quite well versed in the material.

Hooky, as he is lovingly known by the various fans, utilized multiple instruments that evening. Not only did he alternate between two bass guitars, but he also displayed proficiency with digital effects and what one can only refer to as a "fancy ocarina" if they’ve never seen it before. It’s very much worth noting that Hooky does not play the entirety of the song on bass. He shares duties with one of his guitarists, Jack Bates. Hook’s voice is a gruff and powerful force. He used it best admittedly during the Joy Division songs which he has performed the most times in more recent years.

Every song was spot on, no notes were noticeably out of place, and every word came out with intensity. Hook definitely retains his deep connections to the music. During the first set, Hook noted it had been 32 years since the release of Power, Corruption and Lies. This could have left the whole of the audience in a state of silent reflection back on their own lives had Hook not immediately launched into an uproarious performance of “Age of Consent”. The songs that stood out the most on a personal level included the destructive performances of “Atrocity Exhibition”, “New Dawn Fades”, “Digital” and several more past lives.

The audience reacted positively to every song, every moment and every tidbit of information Hook shared with us. At one point mid-set he announced that it had been 35 years to the night that Joy Division had played their last show together and also the last time he personally had seen Ian Curtis.

The only unfortunate event of the night came during the final encore. The performance of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” was ripped asunder by a strange rushing of the stage followed by a brawl. The band actually stopped playing at the behest of Hook who stood patiently as whatever was going on got separated and the show could continue. Fortunately, our fearless leader of the night was there to save our spirits. Hook mused that the occurrence was “…like the old days” and also joked that “…back then that was me.”

Since the moment had previously been lost and the brawl was broken up, the band took the last song from the top and sent the remaining audience home happy. That was more than just a memorable performance. Peter Hook & the Light represented the songs and spirit of the both prior bands so well that the songs will echo through time and space on an infinite loop as progress moves us all forward.

Whether Joy Division, New Order, the Light or even Bad Lieutenant, these songs are all connected by the simple concept of brotherhood and the spirit of their former leader.


Set List(s):

(New order)

Elegia
Thieves like Us
Age of Consent
Ceremony
Way of Life
Subculture
Angel Dust
Every Little Counts
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(Closer)

Atrocity Exhibition
Isolation
Passover
Colony
A Means to an End
Heart & Soul
Twenty Four Hours
The Eternal
Decades
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(Unknown Pleasures)

At a Later Date
Disorder
Day of the Lords
Candidate
Insight
New Dawn Fades
She’s Lost Control
Shadowplay
Wilderness
Interzone
I Remember Nothing
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Encores:

Digital
Failures
Transmission
Love Will Tear Us Apart