On what might be one of the last big gig nights at the wonderful Marble Factory in Bristol before it closes, Peter Hook & the Light brought a performance of the New Order album 'Get Ready' in full, alongside a selection of the most seminal tracks from the rich catalogues of both Joy Division and New Order. And the passionate, full house were treated to an incredible night of music.
‘Get Ready’ was released in 2001, reached #6 in the UK album chart and was the seventh New Order album. It featured guest appearances from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, plus Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and Andrew Innes. The record was dedicated to Rob Gretton, the manager of both Joy Division and New Order, who had died in 1999.
With no support bands, it was a matter of diving straight in, in track order, to the album. The album is a more guitar heavy set of songs than the more electronic style of the New Order albums that preceded it, and tonight David Potts’ guitar riffs and strong tone drove each track on. Chat was kept to a minimum and while the songs are not amongst the bands most known, and rarely if ever played live, the partisan crowd responded energetically to every word. Hooks bass sound, unmistakeable even in these unfamiliar tracks, provided that New Order familiarity and the 12 track, approximately 60 minute set, was concluded with the track 'Brutal' (a song from Danny Boyle film 'The Beach' soundtrack) and 'Here to Stay', a track originally planned to be on the Get Ready album but dropped from the final track listing.
After a short 10 minute break it was straight back into it with a selected set of tracks from the Joy Division and New Order catalogues. Kicking off with 'Dead Souls', critically seen as one Joy Division greatest tracks (although in 1980 only received a very limited European release and only after Ian Curtis death and the posthumous 1981 compilation album 'Still' would it see a wider release) set the scene for the first part of this perfectly curated selection of tracks. The post punk, dark, moody tones of the Joy Division tracks slowly built pace and intensity across the 8 or so songs, including 'Disorder', 'Isolation', 'She's Lost Control' and culminating in a monumental version of 'Transmission'. The full house were transfixed.
And then it was a change of feel and style as we flicked to the New Order tracks, with one from Hooks other band Monaco, 'What do you want from me?' (which didn't go too well and proceedings had to halted for a light-hearted post mortem of "Who cocked it up?" (Drummer Paul Kehoe, convinced it was 'Hooky') before starting from the second verse again). Spirits seemed high amongst the band and while chat was brief, they appeared relaxed and really enjoying the night. 'The Perfect Kiss' was greeted with rousing cheers and, as with these final set of 8 or so songs , Hooky's vocals were at times nearly drowned out by the crowd singing.
'True Faith' and 'Temptation' teased the crowd into a frenzy before Hook and the band delivered the coup de grace, a double barrel finale of 'Blue Monday' and the Joy Division anthem 'Love will tear us apart' to close the incredible night. These 2 tracks remain absolute monsters, markers of a different time but as powerful, striking and relevant today as they were when released in the early 80's
And this left us all to reflect on a good 2 and half hours of songs, taking us on a journey through time, that felt like 3 different facets and styles of music all rolled into one. Its true the majority of the crowd were probably original fans of these bands in the 80's and 90's but the younger generations were represented and demonstrated that these tracks are still relevant and have a role to play in shaping our music landscape of today, as much as they did back then. They still stand up and feel as moving and powerful today as they did 40 years ago.
Words and Pictures - Glenn Morrison
