By now we’re used to seeing Peter Hook & The Light bring the music of Joy Division and New Order to North America, but the iconic bassist somehow still finds ways to make each tour its own special thing. On the eve of the group’s ninth — and largest, with 26 shows — trek across our continent, the group have shared a new pro-shot video that should convert anyone still not buying in.
It’s from the legendary May 2015 concert at Christ Church Macclesfield, showcasing Hooky and clew blazing through Joy Division’s “Ceremony.” Watch it below.
For this upcoming run of shows, which begins August 11 in Toronto and hits Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on August 23, The Light will perform both Joy Division albums in full, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, plus additional rarities and an opening set of New Order classics. It marks the first time the two Joy Division albums are performed front-to-back across an entire tour.
“Definitely one of the highlights/lowlights of my profession is the traveling,” says Hooky. “It was amazing what a blessing it was not to have to do it over lockdown but amazing again how soon you missed seeing all these wonderful places the world has to offer. You lot in America are so lucky to have such a varied and wonderful country. I can’t wait to get back there, and my mouth is watering at the thought go my first ‘Coffee Shop’ breakfast. I am easily pleased.”
He adds: “We have always been lucky to have been appreciated as much as we have in the States, ever since our first tour in September 1980. I am hoping for much the same this time. There is definitely a great appreciation for both Joy Division’s & New Order’s music.”
One of those shows from 1980 was at The Underground in Allston, a long-gone post-punk venue that we documented back in 2016. Check out the upcoming dates after the video jump, and get all info for all the shows via peterhookandthelight.live.
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