Movement, Power, Corruption & ……..

So, let’s get this out of the way, eh? Peter Hook was a member of two musical groups who used musical instruments to make music. Great music. Seminal fucking music.  Joy Division and Monaco were those groups. Right, that’s that sorted.

See, I utilised some of my precious time before tonight’s s how perusing some of the scribbling’s of some of the finest writers of the musical blog world, hoping to gain some insight into what the upcoming spectacle would offer. I of course, gained nothing. I’m not going to insult your intelligence with any Joy Division/New order history drivel. Tell you what though; Monaco actually had some canny tunes you know….honestly!

So let’s keep this to the here and now. Tonight’s performance was scheduled for the aptly named Digital, in the heart of Newcastle’s current thriving smackhead scene. Situated directly outside the main doors is a recently constructed ice-rink, where if one was to feel the need to treat one’s kid to a spot of pointless family based shite on visiting day, while trying to tap up some equally desolate single parent, this would be the place. On this particular night some ‘hoodlums’ are having a lock-in on the ice with a bit cider. I detect they’ve been here before…

I don’t know about you, but the moniker Peter Hook & The Light conjures up an image of ‘Hooky’ (as his close pals who’ve never met him before call him), sporting his 1977 leather trousers, molesting a bedside lamp. Probably just me. Thankfully, ‘The Light’ consisted of human beings and no household illuminations were harmed. The reason for my presence tonight was to witness, in its entirety, ‘Movement’ (1981) followed by ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ (1983), performed by Peter Hook & The Light. I shall yet again not insult your intelligence with any description or background of said works. I shall, however, give detailed descriptions of the merchandise stall…

“We have a wonderful selection of 60% cotton t-shirts with the image of Mr Hook in his jeans playing his bass. Don’t fancy that shit? Well how about this t-shirt of Mr Hook apparently being a member of some sort of soccer team? Don’t fancy that shit? Well kids, how about some New Order merchandise? What do you mean this isn’t a New Order gig you cunt?”

I feel like I’m already setting myself up to be overly harsh of what transpired. That certainly is not my intention, as what transpired sonically for the billed performance was, literally, sonically inspirational. So, if I was to review the enactment …

‘Ceremony’ as an opener is a powerful statement of intent, of course it is. To follow with, ‘Procession’, an amazing concoction of depression and harrowing keys is perfectly absurd. Into Movement…’Dreams Never End’. They certainly don’t mate. Top Stuff. The atmosphere, however, was anxious. Some shite heckling began as ‘Hooky’ switched bass between songs.  From then on I can only be honest; this was quite clearly not for me. I really don’t want to say this, as it may be conceived as a kop out, but unfortunately I feel it’s appropriate, Peter Hook embarked on a selfish session of karaoke tonight, of course the sound was reverberating; ‘Age of Consent’, ‘586’ and ‘The Village’ were highlights.

Highlights? Why the fuck am I talking about highlights? That’s a hollow synopsis. You know the tunes. You know what they mean to you. ‘Blue Monday’ must have been on 3 times. Please stop. Peter Hook was introduced on stage tonight as the “hardest working man in show business”. That may well be the case. He’s certainly been working hard showing his mates and offspring how play the tunes. I wanted to sing along to ‘Temptation’ like some pissed up twat but it was physically impossible, the energy simply wasn’t there. I certainly don’t mean to take anything away from the amazing sound his band generated, it was huge. But hollow. Been there, seen that, if only I had enough money to buy the t-shirt….

Steven Wood