Peter Hook and the Light Nottingham Rock City Review
Legendary bass player Peter Hook delivers New Order and Joy Division’s ‘Substance’ albums at the Nottingham Rock City.
It’s been reported that the remaining members of New Order aren’t keen on Peter’s shows. But if they won’t embark on this celebration, then the sold out Rock City crowd certainly weren’t going to stop him.
Split into two sets, the New Order section started at a fresh 7pm. A time that punished late comers for spending too long in the pub, or for putting their kid’s to bed. In this almost matinee performance, designed to maximise the club night that followed, it was a gift for those out on the beers after.
Throat Pumping
With many there to see Hooky thump the four string, it first it seems odd to have 2 bass players. Previously backed by son Jack Bates, currently on tour with The Smashing Pumpkins, this frees Hooky up for vocal duties. But when he does play, the sound is something else. Something incredible.
Giving bass duties to the Coral’s Paul Duffy, it all makes sense the moment Hooky starts playing and it’s more than a cool Double Bass trick. It’s a sonic joy. And with his signature bass stance, no kid will come away wanting to play guitar. This culminates in a sound so powerful, it literally made my throat pump to the music.
Catharsis
It was no surprise that the majority of the crowd had their phone text size set to large. But it was also good to see some young goths present. And for them, born 30 years too late, this is the closest they’ll ever get to a Joy Division gig. That in itself makes these performances essential.
Maybe surprisingly, Hooky seemed to be having more fun with the Joy Division songs. And everywhere you looked, he was joined by a sea of miserable faces, all having the time of their lives. Personally, I’ve never been a huge Joy Division fan but something tonight really got hold of me. I’m not sure if it was because this was my first true exposure to these incredible songs, it was The Light’s interpretation, or both. Either way, it was an enlightening experience.
Hooky also took time to pay tribute to Liam Payne, with the young man’s untimely passing “reminding us what a shit business this can be”. ‘Atmosphere’ was then dedicated to Liam, by a person who knows too well what it’s like to lose band members and loved ones far too soon.
‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ received the biggest reception of the night, but this was a with a sense of catharsis and celebration. This was a gig that sucked you into its unfettered joy, and with the New Order songs boasting more ‘hits’, it was the second half that uplifted most, validating this tour and giving the band its true purpose.
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