SWG3, GLASGOW 30.09.18

PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT

THERE’S something gloriously bloody-minded about Peter Hook that you have to take your hat off to.

No, not the endless war of words (and more) with Barney Sumner, but in the way he’s set out his stall over the last few years to acknowledge the lifetime of music he’s been involved in and what it means to the fans, who’ve been there every step of the way.

Sure, some might have joined in along the way, but a quick look around the crowd suggested most punters at the very least remember buying Love Will Tear Us Apart the first time.

This isn’t just music to people, this is the soundtrack to their lives.

First up, a Joy Division set you could only criticise for not being longer.

The brutal post-punk grind of No Love Lost kicked things off.

Tracks like Warsaw, Digital and Leaders of Men pummelled us into submission until Transmission moved the crowd the way only it can.

Hooky’s chronological touring of his entire back catalogue hit the acid house years, so there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere when they came back out to run through New Order’s Technique and Republic.

That first one came out in 1989 and encapsulated a band on the ground floor of the Second Summer of Love. By 1993, the party was coming to an end and Republic reflected that, so tracks like Spooky and Chemical brought in an edgier feel to the rave.

It was epic but there was room for possibly the best encore ever – Ceremony. Blue Monday. Temptation. Love Will Tear Us Apart.

Naturally, the place went mental – dancing, crowd surfing and singing along with every word.

JULES BOYLE