Live Review: Peter Hook and the Light in Perth 2024
Live Review – Peter Hook and the Light at The Astor Theatre in Perth Western Australia on 28 of May 2024
Review by Matt Gagen
Photography by Erica Lorimer Photographer
The Astor is more than just a venue; it is a living piece of history, echoing the stories of countless patrons who have walked through its doors seeking solace, excitement, and inspiration. Tonight, it transforms into a sanctuary for those who have been shaped by the moving melodies and driving rhythms of Joy Division and New Order. The audience, a diverse tapestry of faces young and old, gathers not merely to witness a performance but to relive the anthems that have scored their lives.
Peter Hook, bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, alongside his band The Light—comprising his son Jack Bates (bass), Martin Rebelski (keyboards), Paul Kehoe (drums), and David Potts (guitar)—brews the perfect storm as the first rain of Perth’s winter howl outside. The ornate elegance of the Art Deco theatre stands proud above and around, encompassing the raw, unfiltered energy that Peter Hook and the Light are renowned for.
Since debuting with the Unknown Pleasures Tour in Australia in 2010, Peter Hook and the Light have toured the globe, returning to Australia in 2015, 2017, and 2022. Tonight’s show marks the final performance of the sold-out Australia and New Zealand leg of their 2024 “Substance” tour. Each show is divided into two parts: the first featuring New Order covers from their 1987 album “Substance”, and the second dedicated to Joy Division classics.
As the lights dim, a hush falls over the crowd, and the haunting strains of “The Vikings Horn” by Mario Nascimbene beckon the start of the show. Amidst an eerie blue light and swirling smoke, Peter Hook strides onto the stage, flaunting an all-black attire, Doc Martens, and his bass slung low to his knees. He welcomes the crowd with a confident declaration, “I’m ready, boys!” Kehoe’s pounding drum line then initiates “In a Lonely Place,” sending a surge of anticipation through the audience.
“Lonesome Tonight” follows, with Rebelski’s synthesizer strings and Hook’s signature high-gain, pick-technique, subtly overdriven bass lead lines making their powerful entrance. Next comes “Mesh,” with Bates opening the song with his bass tone that nestles perfectly in the sonic pocket – a similar high-attack yet mesmerizing tone that seamlessly complements his father’s.
A band featuring two bass guitars is a rarity, but Peter Hook and the Light masterfully showcase its potential, creating an earth-shaking soundscape that reverberates through the theatre. The dual bass lines intertwine, forging a relentless, driving force that propels the music to new heights, illustrating the unique chemistry of the band.
The concert seamlessly flowed from “Ceremony” to “Everything’s Gone Green” and the iconic “Temptation.” Potts’ skilful vocal harmonization and Kehoe’s dynamic drum and snare fills captured the essence of New Order. When they launched into the crowd-favourite “Blue Monday,” the room vibrated with its punchy drum machines and synths – the melodies and tones that marked a pivotal shift in music history toward a new electronic era. The classics “Confusion,” “Thieves Like Us,” “The Perfect Kiss,” “Subculture,” and “State of the Nation” followed, keeping the momentum high. The energy continued to build with “Bizarre Love Triangle,” drawing the audience into a unified chorus. As the first half of the show wound down, the crowd was treated to “True Faith” and its B-side, “1963.”
After a brief intermission, the second half reignited with the raw post-punk energy of Joy Division. Classic tracks like “No Love Lost,” “Novelty,” “Inside the Line,” and “Glass” surged through the venue, their unmistakable overdrive guitars, relentless drums, and driving basslines defining an era and keeping the audience enthralled. The crowd’s excitement was palpable, especially when Hook, with a playful grin, told them to “pack it in,” sparking laughter all around. The unmistakable introduction to “Isolation” followed, with Hook standing on the stage speakers, hyping up the audience further.
The set continued with high-powered classics like “Warsaw,” “Leaders of Men,” “Digital,” “Autosuggestion,” and the potent “Transmission,” making the floor of the Astor Theatre vibrate with their intensity. Hook, like a conductor, held his arms up over the audience during “She’s Lost Control,” “Shadowplay,” and “Incubation,” orchestrating the crowd’s energy with precision and passion. The night reached its peak with “Dead Souls,” “Atmosphere,” and the anthemic “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” transforming the entire room into a unified choir. The band treated the audience to an extra chorus as the relentless rhythmic clapping refused to cease, keeping the energy alive until the very end.
The night concluded in true rockstar fashion with Hook triumphantly banging on his bass’s pickup before holding it high above his head. Potts thanked the audience, and Hook threw his shirt into the crowd, marking the end of an unforgettable evening.
The night was a perfect culmination of two eras, flawlessly replicated and executed by Peter Hook and the Light. Patrons young and old enjoyed some of the most defining songs of their lives up close and personal, celebrating the enduring legacy of Joy Division and New Order at the iconic Astor Theatre. Perth no doubt looks forward to welcoming Peter Hook and his band back soon!
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Metropolis Touring, John Howarth and Peter Hook for the Press Accreditation.
About the Writer: Matt Gagen is a Fremantle-based bass guitarist of Residents’ Club and member of numerous bands on the local scene. With a deep passion for both local and global music, he brings a unique perspective to his creative endeavours. He’s in his final year of pursuing a Master’s in Architecture, blending his interests in music and design.
About the Photographer: Erica Lorimer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree from the University of Western Australia (UWA), majoring in English Literature and Economics, and a Certificate IV in Design. She is also a freelance photographer who loves capturing images of live music and travel photography, sometimes with film from vintage cameras and making prints in a home darkroom.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Perth based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to almost 100 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), KNOTFEST 2024 (Melbourne), KISS, P!NK, Tom Jones and Red Hot Chili Peppers with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem and Toni Childs. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 50 artists.
