Peter Hook And The Light – Live At The Boiler Shop Newcastle

Saturday night November 15th remember that date, because that’s when Peter Hook & The Light hit Newcastle’s Boiler Shop with their New Orders ‘Get Ready’ album in full tour, this was half way through the tour after already performing at Worthing, Bournemouth, Coventry, Liverpool and Edinburgh, so being fully warmed up and already laying down some huge sets lists on the way, we were so looking forward to hearing what has to be one of the lesser known of New Order’s albums, or at least to the wider public, this album never held hits singles in its grooves, and wasn’t held in the highest esteem at the time, but to the hardened followers it deserves this reawakening.

Being one of this era’s most prolific hard working live acts Peter Hook and his band just keep giving so much to there fans, tonight was no different, The Boiler Shop is one of the best venues in the area too. Its history is steeped in its Stephenson Locomotive Works that once thrived on this spot, and this building was part of that legacy. So to stand in this understated building that’s been converted sympathetically with all the original features of a working site still there to be admired, and know that you’re about to witness a set that will be just as steeped in history and lovingly restored for tonights audience is pretty damned sublime.

Part One…..  The whole of the ‘Get Ready’ album by originally by New Order, yet wonderfully reimagined by Mr Hook and his first class band for the live stage. As soon as they go into ‘Crystal’ which I believe was the only released single on this album, your struck by the feel of this arrangement. You feel the way this live version takes everything Joy Division in Hooky’s soul and feeds it into the sound, you can hear the conflict throughout this part of the set that somehow has been put to bed with every song. The set unfolds exactly in line with the albums original track listing, every song given a wonderful new lease of life, ‘Vicious Streak’, ‘Rock The Shack’ and ‘Run Wild’ in particular stood out for myself, in fact the only thing missing, and this is being totally picky, was the Japanese release bonus song ‘Behind Closed Doors’,b ut that I suppose would not be keeping this fully original. Hooky then thanked the crowd for standing and listening to his and the bands indulgence, it felt almost like and apology, but all I can say is please don’t ever apologise for playing something in that manner, that was that fucking good, we thank you for giving us this night. After a couple more songs in the form of ‘Brutal’ and ‘Here To Stay’ it was time for the interlude, the moment for refreshment and relief of course.

15 minutes or so later it’s time to welcome the band back to the stage and onwards with another hour and a half or so of mixed New Order and Joy Division greats. The thing about this particular gig that struck myself, and its not something that I’ve even considered or felt before, is the feeling of all the songs, whether it be ‘Warsaw’, ‘She’s Lost Control’, ‘Digital’, ‘Blue Monday’, ‘Ceremony’ or ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, the mix of New Order and Joy Division are all played as if this is the band that has always been that band. We all know that Ian Curtis could never be replaced, you can never reproduce what he gave to that vocal and emotional delivery, but musically this band and especially Hooky with his bass gives every song, even the New Order ones, a Joy Division feel, as if that was the conflict you always felt was bubbling under when New Order played live. Peter Hook & The Light are now giving every song a life they deserve, a freeing of the chains is the only expression that comes to mind as you listen. What stood out also at this gig, was the age demographic, not only the obviously old like myself, but so many young fans that would not have remembered Joy Division especially, singing along to every word, this was so heart warming to see, the future can only be good for music that gives the soul something to live on. We all left knowing that we had just witnessed something special, a moment in time that will sit with myself as one I will cherish. 

The Tour continues…..

Peter Hook & The Light can be found on Facebook and their website is here