Peter Hook and the Light Concert at The Bluestone- Columbus, Ohio
On May 28, I traveled over three hours to Columbus, Ohio to experience Peter Hook and the Light. I had never heard a Joy Division or New Order song live. I know, shame on me! Hooky, as he is affectionately known, wasn’t coming closer to central Indiana, so three hours on a Wednesday night was a must. I couldn’t risk missing the opportunity, and I’m glad I didn’t.
I was blown away, sonically and emotionally. From the first note of “Crystal” from “Get Ready” to the final song, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” I was locked in to the roller coaster ride. It isn’t often that a concert moved me in the way that this one did. It was reverent, faithful to the originals, serious when it needed to be, and imbued with the joy of music. I left with a new found appreciation for Peter Hook and a galvanization for the Joy Division catalog.
You see, I wasn’t always aware of the greatness of Joy Division. When I was a kid growing up in the 70s and early 80s, I was a musical product of whatever my brothers listened to. They had jobs and paper routes, really great stereos and bought the vinyl. They introduced me to Kiss, Boston, Rush, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton- you know, the popular rock at the time. I would put the vinyl on the platter, crank it up and plop on the bed with the liner notes and take a journey for a little bit.
At that time, radio was also really big. In central Indiana, Q95 started up and sold itself on “disco sucks.” It was all classic rock and further cemented my love for rock. Coming out of the 70s into the early 80, our local radio station played more popular music. There I was introduced to groups like Duran Duran, The Fixx, and Inxs. Groups I still enjoy to this day. I would set up my boom box to record the songs when they played on the radio. I certainly couldn’t buy all the music I wanted back then so I was forced to settle with a low quality version recorded from Z92.5 on a Maxell cassette. It may have blown the gent in the chair away in the commercial, but believe me, the quality was really not that great.
As I entered middle school and high school, my horizons widened. I met new people with different tastes and MTV started; I found the Cult, Adam and the Ants, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. Movies of the 80s were especially rife with wonderful music. I’m referring, of course, to movies like Valley Girl, Sixteen Candles or Pretty in Pink which featured groups like Psychedelic Furs, Modern English, OMD, Echo and the Bunnymen and New Order, among others. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the Cure. I vividly remember listening to Killing An Arab in my 11th grade French class in 1987. It was ON after that. They seemed to sum up what I loved about those other bands, and they were in the midst of creating an expansive catalog. Disintegration came out in 1989 and it was cemented. They would be my “post punk” band that I would return to time and time again to this very day.
During this time, though, there was a song that I loved, but had no other connection to- “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division. In many ways it was like “I Melt with you” by Modern English or “If You Leave” by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. They were great one offs, but I never sought the catalog. It wasn’t until later that I even put it together that “Love Will Tear Us Apart” was largely created by the members of New Order. I was way more familiar with New Order than I was with Joy Division. I would hear them on my college campus. They would be on 120 Minutes, the popular MTV show that aired back when they actually played music. New Order was simply more relevant to me at the time. They were catchy, the musicians were great and they were readily available.
It’s really a shame looking back now that I wasn’t more aware of Joy Division at the time- that it was years later before I discovered the complete catalog. I don’t want to come off arrogantly, saying that New Order is some sub-standard band. They are not. They are excellent. Peter Hook’s bass work continued to be phenomenal and Stephen Morris is absolutely stunning on drums. Their music was iconic for the times and their songs are super catchy. But they lack Ian Curtis and those haunting lyrics.
Having said that, what I learned on May 28 is that Peter Hook embodies Joy Division and New Order. He paid homage to Ian and the music that they all created. He didn’t romanticize the death of a friend and bandmate, but kept the spirit alive. I will forever remember this performance.
The stop in Columbus took place at The Bluestone, a former Baptist church turned concert venue. It is relatively small and very intimate. The small floor area is surrounded by a small step-up enclosure lined with stools for those to watch from behind the throng in front of the stage. There is a balcony that echoes the lower level and provides a wonderful view of the stage. Around the entire area are a number of bars serving up beers and drinks. There are no frills here- it is all about the music.
As the hand of the clock turned to eight o’clock, the musicians took the stage without fanfare and immediately started playing. With very little talking, Peter and the boys ripped through twelve songs, the entirety of the album, “Get Ready” plus “Brutal” and “Here to Stay.” This album is terribly underrated and benefitted from this concert treatment. Songs like “Turn My Way” showcased how much better Peter is on vocals. While not initially a singer, he has grown and has become really strong on tour. “Close Range” was excellent and under most circumstances, sadly, would not get played live. This one hits as you age, I can assure you. The first set, as good as it was, was a warm up. Not to downplay the skill and the execution or the beauty of the songs, but I was primed for Joy Division.
Honestly, I had been peeking at the previous setlists and was primed for “Dead Souls” following the interlude. So, what happened was a wonderful change up. Instead of “Dead Souls,” Hooky dedicated “Atmosphere” and launched into a haunting rendition filled with humanity and the unconventional spirit of Joy Division- like the next song “Exercise One.” Imagine my surprise and joy at the fortuitous choice of song. And then, Hooky deftly switches to Digital to bring the audience in, “Day in, Day out” echoes throughout the venue. Cleverly placed catchy song for the win.
At this point, I was not aware that I was about to lose my mind for the next five songs. I’m not sure there is a better five-song-stretch than what we were all about to experience. Hooky points to his shirt which says, “Interzone” and we are off! This beautiful punk anthem brought the venue alive! It was the best kind of insanity. And then, I hear that opening reverb of my favorite anthem, “New Dawn Fades.” Stunning rendition of a beautiful song. I was elated. “She’s Lost Control” was next. Heartfelt, painful but gloriously played.
At this point, we have all been transported. Whether we have been there or not, we can sense Manchester. We can feel those early tv appearances, the rise of punk and post-punk. We have all seen those early shows of the boys in their youth. The music, the vibe, the lyrics have brought us to a happy place.
And then, “Shadowplay!” One of my favorite lines in any song. “As the assassins all grouped in four lines dancing on the floor”- innocuous but deadly! Of all songs the entire night, this is where Peter shined the most. He absolutely killed this song. The pauses and the emotional re-entry to the verse was chilling. I was rapt.
Quickly, we were about to “Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio.” Again, total participation. Hooky was revisiting fond times and we were along for the ride. To this point, the Joy Division portion of the show had been a roller coaster ride. I guess it was much akin to the life of Ian Curtis. Appropriately enough, the next song was in honor of Ian.
During the show, there was very little talk. Peter and the boys typically launched into one song after another. For this one though, Peter specifically mentioned Ian and played “Decades” in honor of him. What I loved about this moment is Peter visibly felt the passing of a friend, and he honored him with a beautiful song written by Ian himself- One that could be interpreted in many ways, including a direct song about soldiers- something Ian had read copiously about. It was the perfect song- beautiful, haunting and a perfect cap to the Joy Division segment. “Here are the young men, the weight on their shoulders” indeed!
From there Hooky launched into eight songs by New Order. (actually seven as I still say that Ceremony is a Joy Division song:) While I don’t have the same connection to these songs, they were played magnificently. New Order is super catchy. No matter the message, the song is hummable, it’s sing-alongable, and it has a super groove. The live performance is a testament to his band as well. I have seen his son Jack Bates with Smashing Pumpkins. He is an understated and excellent bassist. Paul Kehoe does an admirable job on the skins. Outside of Peter and Ian, Stephen’s shoes would most certainly be the hardest to fill. David Potts is excellent on the guitar and fills in wonderfully with vocals, both backing and lead. And finally, Martin Rebelski is excellent on keyboards and synthesizers. Highlights from the new Order set were “Ceremony,” of course, “Regret,” “Blue Monday,” and “True Faith.” All have wonderful hooks and deep lyrics. For me, “True Faith” is to New Order as “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is to Joy Division. It did not disappoint.
Finally, as Hooky and the boys end every show, they launched into “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” The audience was elated and sang every word. This song is an incredible story as it was never supported as a single. It wasn’t on an album. It is a heartbreaking song… I mean heart breaking, yet it’s an anthem for a generation. It truly transcends time and genre. It’s beautiful everytime you listen, and it was special at this moment in the show. A perfect closer as everyone left happy and fulfilled.
To express the feelings I left with is hard. It was emotional. It was nostalgic. It was filled with joy and sorrow. It was reflective. It was antithetic. It was, in a sense, exactly what Ian embodied. The songs were handled perfectly by Peter Hook. While he paid homage that was due to the other members of Joy Division and New Order, there was a joy about making music that pervaded the stage. Every band member seemed to enjoy every moment. There were smiles, nods of appreciation and a gusto for every note. The three hours I spent with my cousin, 10 if you count the time in the car, were hours I will remember for the rest of my life. It was my first actual encounter with the spirit of Ian Curtis, Joy Division and New Order. It was most certainly a concert for the ages.
If you have the opportunity, catch them at a venue near you. There are six more shows in the states before they head overseas. Find all the info here.
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