I was lucky enough to see a legend playing live last night – Peter Hook, bassist from influential 1980s Manchester bands Joy Division and New Order. It was one of those gigs where everything went well – almost full, genuine fans, yet sat at the back with empty seats around me so didn’t feel claustrophobic, sound system was great — viscerally loud yet crystal clear — with everyone on (fairly) good behaviour.
Held at Wellington’s Opera House, where the contrast of “The Good Old Days” style Victorian architecture and rock gig staging always seems incongruous, the older crowd were down the front dancing within a few numbers then stayed there throughout, shiny heads supplementing the light show.
The first half was all New Order songs, including absolute bangers Blue Monday and True Faith. The second half went back further into the Joy Division catalogue, where Peter’s voice fitted Ian Curtis’ feral vocals much better.
Unsurprisingly they finished with (IMHO) one of the greatest pop songs ever written – Love Will Tear Us Apart – prompting a crowd sing-a-long that had Peter tearing up.
I drove home afterwards with ringing ears, a signed T-shirt to add to the tour shirts collection and the satisfaction of another bucket list item ticked off.
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