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Unknown Pleasures
Sep. 25th, 2010 12:53 amPeter Hook and Friends, performing Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" in its entirety.
I can understand the purists complaining this was a glorified cover band. But how else would we ever hear these songs played live? A time machine?
Support band The Wreckery were good, I guess, but I never really knew their work. They were loud, though. We sitting in the second row, and I regretted not bringing earplugs.
A short interval. Then the low point of the concert: a 20 minute video, made up of random clips about New Order, and Peter Hook, and just a smattering about Joy Division. It was awful, and amateurish, and went on way too long. People were yelling and clapping for it bugger off and the band to start.
Peter Hook and band came out, and opened with a some Warsaw songs. Then they launched into the Unknown Pleasures album in its entirety.
The band were tight and loud and passionate. The sound was more "rock" than the sparse, haunting Martin Hammet-produced sound of the record. But that was good. It was live and vital, rather than some sterile re-creation. Their guitarist in particular was fantastic. Hook's voice was better suited to some songs than others, but I was surprised by how strong his singing was overall.
The Palais is a seated venue. That felt weird. We were so close I could see the frown in Peter Hook's eyes. But there was no dancing. Just people nodding along in their seats.
These are iconic songs, and the band did them justice. "Disorder" was good, but it was "Day of the Lords" that sent the chill up my spine. "Insight", "New Dawn Fades", "Shadowplay" were amazing. They messed up "She's Lost Control" a little bit - Hooksy was effectively playing lead bass, playing the riffs in between singing, while his son Jack played the traditional bass role. The main set ended with "I Remember Nothing".
The encore was just two songs: "Transmission" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Both songs sounded enormous. "You've made an old man very happy," Hook said as the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Look, there are issues here. Is this just a glorified tribute band? Does this concert exploit the memory of Ian Curtis, or celebrate it? Does Peter Hook have the right to play these songs? Does New Order? Does anyone?
I'd resolved ahead of time that I would rather hear these songs played live than not.
Was it Joy Division?
No. Of course not.
Was it great to hear these songs live?
Hell yes.
I can understand the purists complaining this was a glorified cover band. But how else would we ever hear these songs played live? A time machine?
Support band The Wreckery were good, I guess, but I never really knew their work. They were loud, though. We sitting in the second row, and I regretted not bringing earplugs.
A short interval. Then the low point of the concert: a 20 minute video, made up of random clips about New Order, and Peter Hook, and just a smattering about Joy Division. It was awful, and amateurish, and went on way too long. People were yelling and clapping for it bugger off and the band to start.
Peter Hook and band came out, and opened with a some Warsaw songs. Then they launched into the Unknown Pleasures album in its entirety.
The band were tight and loud and passionate. The sound was more "rock" than the sparse, haunting Martin Hammet-produced sound of the record. But that was good. It was live and vital, rather than some sterile re-creation. Their guitarist in particular was fantastic. Hook's voice was better suited to some songs than others, but I was surprised by how strong his singing was overall.
The Palais is a seated venue. That felt weird. We were so close I could see the frown in Peter Hook's eyes. But there was no dancing. Just people nodding along in their seats.
These are iconic songs, and the band did them justice. "Disorder" was good, but it was "Day of the Lords" that sent the chill up my spine. "Insight", "New Dawn Fades", "Shadowplay" were amazing. They messed up "She's Lost Control" a little bit - Hooksy was effectively playing lead bass, playing the riffs in between singing, while his son Jack played the traditional bass role. The main set ended with "I Remember Nothing".
The encore was just two songs: "Transmission" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Both songs sounded enormous. "You've made an old man very happy," Hook said as the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Look, there are issues here. Is this just a glorified tribute band? Does this concert exploit the memory of Ian Curtis, or celebrate it? Does Peter Hook have the right to play these songs? Does New Order? Does anyone?
I'd resolved ahead of time that I would rather hear these songs played live than not.
Was it Joy Division?
No. Of course not.
Was it great to hear these songs live?
Hell yes.
