What a night! Once again, we find ourselves at the iconic Belfast Telegraph Building in the heart of the city, and even though it’s a school night, there’s no way I’m missing this. The clock strikes 8 p.m., and the air is excited—because tonight, we’re in for something truly special. The only Peter Hook is back in Belfast, bringing his legendary bass and the unmistakable sound of Joy Division and New Order to life. And let me tell you, the crowd has turned out in force, ready to soak up the magic of these timeless albums.
The venue is perfect for a night like this—a gritty, industrial masterpiece with raw, exposed brick walls and towering ceilings. It feels underground in the best possible way, setting the stage for a performance that’s all about raw energy and connection. And when those lights dim and the band hits the stage, you just know you’re in for something extraordinary.
Peter Hook strides onto the stage like the true legend he is, and immediately you can feel that electric buzz in the air. He greets the crowd with a grin and a few words of thanks, and before you know it, the music kicks in. The Night is a journey through two of the most iconic albums in post-punk and synth-pop history: Substance by Joy Division and New Order. As someone who’s been a fan for years, I was already anticipating something special—but what I got was beyond words.
From the moment Hook plays that first bassline, I’m locked in. His bass is magnetic—it’s as if he is the music. Whether it’s the mournful pull of Love Will Tear Us Apart or the infectious rhythm of Blue Monday, every note that reverberates through the venue is like a bolt of energy, hitting you right in the chest. Hook’s bass, with its unmistakable high-pitched growl, has lost none of its bite—if anything, it’s even sharper, more urgent than ever.
There’s something about hearing Substance in a venue like this—something intimate and visceral. The size of the place, the raw acoustics bouncing off the walls—it all adds to the experience. When She’s Lost Control kicks in, you feel that surge of post-punk intensity like a shock to the system. The urgency in the crowd’s movements is electric, and we’re all taken back to those early, raw days of Joy Division. And then we transition seamlessly into New Order—and it’s pure magic. The perfect balance of melancholy and energy, the fusion of the guitar-driven sound and the synth-driven pulse that defined a generation.
When Blue Monday hits, the crowd goes wild. Now, I’ve heard this song a million times, but tonight, it’s different. The energy in this small, packed venue makes it feel more alive than ever. The bass throbs through your body, and the rhythm—well, it just takes over. The sound is fuller, more muscular, and you can’t help but lose yourself in the music. The crowd is electric—hands in the air, faces lit with pure joy as we all lose ourselves in the music.
And here’s the thing: it’s not just about nostalgia (though, yes, that’s a big part of it). It’s about living, breathing history. Hook hasn’t just come to revisit these songs—he’s come to reclaim them. You can see it in his face, in the way he moves, in the way he commands the stage. This music is just as much a part of him now as it was when he first recorded it. And it’s that raw connection that makes tonight so unforgettable.
I look around at the crowd and can’t help but smile. There are families dancing together, generations united by these songs. We’re all feeling this, and the energy is contagious. The room is alive with every beat, every soaring melody, and every thumping bassline. You can see it in the smiles, in the outstretched arms, in the way people are singing along to the soundtrack of their lives.
It’s a gargantuan set, two legendary bands, and two albums that changed the face of music forever. The layers of sound, the fusion of electronic and guitar-driven vibes, the soaring vocals, and the roar of the crowd—there’s nothing quite like it. Watching Peter Hook orchestrate this whole thing, commanding the stage with such presence—it’s honestly something I’ll never forget.
Sure, it’s a school night. Sure, I’ll be tired tomorrow. But you know what? I’ll sleep when I’m dead. Tonight was everything.
https://peterhookandthelight.live
Photography: Mark McGrogan
