
22 May 2024 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Lee
It was always going to be a huge night if a band is going to play the albums of two bands in their entirety. A total of 30 songs were played, and I had already looked at the setlist from Peter Hook & the Light’s gig the night before in Adelaide, to get an idea of how they were going to plan the two sets out. An evening of music from two legendary bands that dates back to the punk era and into the 80s, it was (in part) a night for the New Order fans to enjoy the big hits, but I have to say more of a night catered for die-hard fans of both bands, with the Joy Division offerings going as far back as the Warsaw days.
Hooky and co (including his son Jack on bass) sold out the Tivoli yet again, with a smattering of young fans surrounded by hundreds of punters heading towards 50 or 60 (or 70), those of us that were there “the first time around” – for me that is more accurate in terms of New Order, because I was alive when Joy Division existed but I was in grade prep, 1 and 2 and I’m not sure my music taste went beyond Top 40 radio.



Peter Hook & the Light – The Tivoli – photos by Bec Lee
I shot the first three songs in the photo pit and convinced myself all evening that in that first set (New Order) they didn’t play one of my faves, ‘Ceremony’. Now I know they did, as I have seen the set list. That is the one thing I need to look out for when I’m shooting and trying to concentrate, I stop hearing the songs!
As the 1987 compilation album Substance is played in its entirety I don’t miss Bernard Sumner’s vocals that much, but I think the decision to utilise guitarist/vocalist David Pott’s softer voice for some of the New Order tracks is spot on, as Hooky can be harsher in his delivery and Potts can sound a bit more like Sumner.
‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ get an obvious reaction and these sound amazing live, but the highlights for me are ‘True Faith’ and ‘Touched By the Hand of God’ – the whole venue is dancing like mad, as these two gems close the New Order set. A true goose bump moment!



Peter Hook & the Light – The Tivoli – photos by Bec Lee
After a quick interval, 15 more songs are delivered to us, and the mood is not as upbeat, because we are taken back to Joy Division’s 1988 compilation, also titled Substance which includes 1978’s ‘Warsaw’ and ‘Digital’ much more sparse and clinical given they are straight out of the ashes of punk. Things get a bit more danceable though when we reach 1980 and we’re hit with the trifecta of ‘Dead Souls’, ‘Atmosphere’ and ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, the latter being a great way to end an epic evening.
Last time Hooky played in Brisbane there was more of a vibe, I don’t know why, but in fairness, Wednesday was long evening and for some of us at the back, the sound wasn’t loud enough. But it was a giant effort for the band to do the two albums in one evening and the energy and mutual love between artist and audience has not faded – so many Australians LOVE Joy Division and New Order, both bands shaped our youth and to hear those 30 songs in one evening is an absolute treat.
Like we always say Hooky, please come back! We love you.