With no support act and a stage time of 7:30pm, it’s fair to say Peter Hook & The Light put on a show worth the price of the ticket.
Salford legend Hooky took to the stage at the Bournemouth O2 Academy for the first half of the almost three-hour nostalgia-filled show with a performance of Get Ready, his 2001 penultimate album with New Order.
Opening up with Crystal, even the average fan would realise this is a well-practiced, tight band who are experts in their field.
At points, the album-in-full felt slow, but the lighting and band members’ stage presence meant you couldn’t look away. At one point, not one, not two, but three bass guitars were being played on stage, which you can’t help but applaud by that point.
Peter’s distinctive bass still shone through as he lead the iconic melodies while looming over the crowd, only a hand’s reach away.
Seemingly always touring, the band just oozed class as they went song-by-song, never missing a beat.
Not even half way into the show, a ten minute interval took place, but it wasn’t long before the band were back, and they didn’t waste any time.
Joy Division classic Dead Souls was first up and it was clear the fan favourite tracks would just keep coming.
She’s Lost Control was a particular highlight, though the cheer of recognition was almost deafening when drummer Paul Kehoe stepped away from the kit and the instantly recognisable intro to Blue Monday began.
At one point, Hooky gave a shout out to legendary frontman and former bandmate Ian Curtis, with 2025 marking the 45th anniversary of his death.
Plenty more singalongs took over the building with Transmission and True Faith, and there were even a few chuckles as a melodica was brought out for Love Vigilantes.
Although a mere 30 songs into the set, when Love Will Tear Us Apart started (and signalled the end of the show), you could tell no one really wanted the concert to end there.
With every song either by Joy Division or New Order, fair play to Peter for giving the fans what they want.
Some might say a 3 hour show is over-excessive, but Hooky and co provided a masterclass performance that even after lights went up, still had crowds singing his iconic basslines.
