I saw Peter Hook & the Light in Boston a couple of weeks back. While an enjoyable show, and to was great to hear Brotherhood live in particular, come on, New Order sounds better at it all (having seen New Order in Boston last summer). Partly it's enthusiasm -- The Light felt a little rote and he addressed the crowd once, pretty much at the end. Partly it's Jack, who plays well mind you, but does not have the stage presence of his father. Partly it's Hooky's voice -- a lot of the songs really should be sung by Pottsy. And while everyone criticizes Sumner for his "come on!"s, Hooky has a weird echo effect thing go when he yells a word, so they are equal on annoying live quirks. I say, with the rubber bear guy at bass for NO, whatever his name is, the bass is pretty much a push, maybe sleigh edge to the Light.

Edited by user 22 November 2014 12:40:57(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

While admittedly that NO set is not all that inspiring compared to other NO sets since, it's a bit unfair calling it just a greatest hits set; there's 5 album tracks there in set of 17..keep in mind also that NO have added more tracks to the setlists since, including 2 brand new ones....how much new material has the Light done again?

I know it childish to take sides, but as an idea I prefer NO (with Tom as replacement for the guy that left) to the Light - as a minimum, I'd have hoped Hooky would at least play all the bass in the Light; after all, that's what he did in JD and NO. If he did that, and let others do the vocals, then that would have more integrity to me. From what I've seen he plays, what, 20% of the basslines in a Light set? No offence, but it's irrelevant how well Jack plays the bass (or any of the others do their bits, to be fair), as he (and the rest of them) were't in JD and NO, and that is kind of my point. It's a cover band.

Hooky's assuming a role in the Light he never had in either of the other bands (leader/singer) at the expense of actually playing that brilliant, distinctive bass. That aspect of the Light - and it's a big part - doesn't ring true to me...well, that and his undignified but predictable, bitter slagging of his former bandmates at every opportunity, but that's getting off topic.

That's a fairly subjective viewpoint. Seeing NO live with Hook towards the end was a fairly depressing experience due to his onstage antics, bellowing down the mic and roaming the stage like a demented buffalo.

I think the point of New Order now is to tone down his parts as much as possible and feel the new bassist is adding a wider dynamic to the sound than PH. I don't want to see NO play any JD songs or do chronological album tours so the current set-list is probably about right (its never going to be perfect) - remember St. Bernard composes and sings all the songs so not sure how it can be seen as a cover band (unless yr PH).

PS: If you want to hear some JD songs delivered with a bit more spirit than The Light (imo) check out Jez Kerr (ACR). yo

Just attended Peter Hook and The Light gig at San Francisco's Mezzanine. The New Order gig I attended at the Bill Graham Civic is recent enough that the values of each are fresh in my mind.

Few will (or want to) read yet another comparison of the two acts so I will try to be brief. New Order (Now) live are more than the 75% of the classic lineup they represent. Phil and Tom are strong in their roles and anyone saying the musicianship is worse now is mistaken. They're not the same band as they were at their peak but, as someone else stated, they weren't in 2006 either. Peter Hook provided a crucial element to their shows (not broaching the songwriting factor) that has not been replaced. I was sad about Gillian not performing from 2001-2006 but there wasn't a tangible difference in her absence as she isn't (and never tried to be) the "live performer" that Hooky is. With Hooky gone, we're missing the sentimental aspect of the member missing, and a factor in the sound. It's true that Hooky's bits are downplayed in the live mix now that he's no longer in that spotlight. He also used to represent an element of danger/unpredictability that is no longer present. What does remain are the other original(ish, I know they started as a 3 piece) members in their proper roles, buoyed by strong players that allow what's currently the best case scenario to experience these songs in a live setting.

Hooky was 25% of New Order. He's punching above his weight, and pulling out all the stops (rarely played tracks, marathon gigs) to make his live experience worthwhile. You're gonna get to hear the songs you've been longing to hear all those years, played to faithfully represent their album (or 12") counterparts. It's a tantalizing prospect until the reality hits that Hooky's singing isn't up to the task. Some tracks work better than others. But those others...His La la la la la's in "Paradise" were excruciatingly bad. Close your eyes and you're transported to Sesame Street to be serenaded by the Cookie Monster. Pottsy sang a wonderful rendition of "Sooner Than You Think" but Hooky isn't gonna concede the spotlight too often because what would be the point? Hooky was a crucial member of Joy Division and New Order and has every right to perform these songs. He just needs to stop saying he's getting the songs back. They didn't go anywhere.