PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT // TROXY, LONDON
Nostalgic euphoria triumphs
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
Good Friday saw the Troxy in East London play host to thousands of alternative music fans eagerly awaiting Peter Hook and the Light to take the stage. The band was to treat the audience to a masterclass in musicianship as it took the audience on a nearly three-hour journey through decades of iconic tracks from New Order, Joy Division, and Monaco.
With a cut of the lights, the band took to the stage to rapturous applause. Immediately they launched into the influential sounds that continue to shape generations of fans. A pulsing blend of post-punk grit and synth-driven rock transformed the grand hall of the Troxy into an electric celebration of their discography.
Opting for an interesting set structure, the band split the performance into two acts. The first hour consisted of the band playing the 2001 album “Get Ready” with some additional deep cuts. This first act allowed the audience to settle into the night and primed them for the hit-laden “best of” section which was to follow.
Album opener “Crystal” worked perfectly to start the night as the dramatic intro gave way to undeniable electronic rock which saw the audience in awe of the proficiency on display. The sombre frenzy of the defiant “Here To Stay” closed the first act with an appropriate display of energy and left the fans ravenous for more. This section of the show provided a great tour through one of New Order’s lesser-known albums, with the start and end delivering high energy with a small lull in the middle.
A brief intermission allowed the audience to collect themselves before Hook and the band returned to the stage. Wasting no time, the band sprang into a second set which was packed with wall-to-wall hits. Joy Division’s “No Love Lost” immediately revitalised the audience, with their feet barely touching the floor as they danced to the nostalgic anthem. This set the tone for their second act, as the band continued to deliver nostalgia-laden hits and the audience’s energy rose to meet the newly unearthed memories.
The band’s performance was impeccable, delivering a thick sound which filled the venue. The spectrum of sonic landscapes created was immense, ranging from sombre and introspective to soaring and defiant.
As star of the show, Hook’s presence remained magnetic. His distinctive bass lines served to stress why he is so integral to the legacy of these songs. While his gravelly vocals retained their emotive undertones, delivering an authenticity to these decades old tracks.
As the marathon set steamed into the final stretch of “Temptation”, “Blue Monday” and “Love Will Tear Us Apart” the crowd's energy reached a fever pitch. With fans of all ages revelling in a swirling pit in the centre, reliving memories and making new ones, there was an emotional weight palpable in the air. Hook and the Light had managed to deliver not just a tribute act but a Time Machine, breathing new life into the songs and weaving together music which spanned bands, genres and decades into an unforgettable performance.
After the final notes played, and the crowds filed out into the street, there was a feeling of euphoria. Fans both new and old had been treated to a tour of musical history, showing the relevance these roots have today and why Peter Hook remains a vital figure in maintaining them.