Peter Hook & The Light @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 21/5/2024
The legendary Peter Hook & The Light returned to Adelaide playing the first show of the Australian tour at Hindley Street Music Hall. Last tour he sold out The Gov in no time at all and with word on the street it was a sell out at Hindley Street Music Hall. It was absolutely packed to witness and experience one of the greats playing the Substance compilations by New Order (set one) and Joy Division (set two). This is no mean feat and an ambitious undertaking but it was bloody brilliant.
Affectionately known as “Hooky” (even has that blazoned on his bass strap) he has no doubt put on a top class show which looked and sounded fantastic. The set list was well considered and it was like being reacquainted and getting to know both bands again. With the sheer volume of songs to get through it was definitely a marathon not a sprint but massively satisfying. When you talk about songs that are timeless and don’t fall out of vogue these songs are exactly that and are just as relevant as they ever were before.
What was pleasing to see was the sheer joy that Hooky has playing these songs and keeping spotlight on them. The band that he has brought out on tour are elite players and have set the bar very high for New Order if they ever decide tour Australia.
Set one was gold with New Order’s Substance which definitely felt like a greatest hits set. Not strictly in order it seemed perfectly opening with Your Silent Face and Hurt. The strength and power of set one is realised when songs of the calibre of Temptation and Blue Monday are played relatively early in the set. The crowd seemed subdued but more likely in awe of this performance. The energy was electric. There were so many great songs from Procession, Ceremony, Confusion to The Perfect Kiss. To wrap up set one with the likes of Bizarre Love Triangle and True Faith was just outstanding… and this was just the beginning, there was more to come!
Set two, wow! The thing that I admire greatly is that Hooky takes being the custodian in preserving the legacy of Ian Curtis seriously! This was elite! The roles that both synth/keys player Martin Rebelski and guitarist/singer David Potts play can’t be understated. Dead Souls and Digital are standouts. Hooky is a machine, no one could begrudge him for feeling tired after experiencing what he has delivered. She’s Lost Control is a significant moment in the set finishing on the ultimate dedication of Atmosphere and the song that we all adore in Love Will Tear Us Apart. A tour definitely not to miss, get your tickets, absolutely genius. We await Hooky’s next move! How about New Order’s Get Ready?
Live Review By Rob Lyon