In 1976 post-punk band Joy Division formed, and over the years, millions would have love of the band tear them apart. Forty-five years later, the bass lines hit just as hard. When vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Ian Curtis passed away, the band would reform as New Order. These bands were trailblazers within punk and new wave, creating something revolutionary and massively influential. In 2026 both Joy Division and New Order were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On Sept. 21, for one night only at The Warfield, the crowd lined up outside, to snag one of the few posters or T-shirts signed by Peter Hook himself. Peter Hook and The Light is composed of Hook’s son, Jack Bates on bass; David Potts on guitar (former New Order and Monaco member); Martin Rebelski on keyboards and synths and Paul Kehoe on drums.
The crowd mostly wore black, or had Joy Division shirts on, or repped merch that said “Hooky” (Hook’s nickname) on the back. “I like the vibe and the culture … I call it ‘noir culture’ … Joy Division was a pioneer in music and set the foundation for all of this,” concertgoer Tracey Antinori said.
Peter Hook, original bassist and founder of both Joy Division and New Order, has not been a part of New Order as of 2007 due to disagreements with bandmates, which led to lawsuits over the band name and royalties in 2015. “I’m team Hooky all the way, like, no Hooky, no New Order,” said attendee Michelle Langley. Hook wanted to celebrate the band’s legacy by performing the New Order’s seventh studio album, “Get Ready,” in its entirety. “Get Ready” was released in 2001 and reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Electronic Album chart. In addition, Peter Hook and The Light played another set of 19 seminal tracks from the extensive catalogues of both Joy Division and New Order.
To warm up the crowd, the venue played tunes from The Smiths, The Rolling Stones and 808 State, while the crowd buzzed with excitement, many a beer in hand. “Everybody’s kind of anticipating having a good time,” said attendee Eric Deyer. Hook energized the crowd as he introduced the Joy Division and New Order set. “Welcome to the atrocity exhibition,” he said, extending his bass over the front rows and pointing toward fans singing along.
The set moved through decades of Joy Division and New Order, including “Disorder” from Joy Division’s 1979 album “Unknown Pleasures,” and “Transmission” which appears on the 1981 compilation “Still.” As the opening notes of “Transmission” rang out, a disco ball descended from the ceiling and fans danced and sang along. The mood shifted with “Leave Me Alone,” from New Order’s 1983 album “Power, Corruption & Lies,” bringing some audience members to tears. Later, Hook dedicated “Atmosphere” to the late Dolly Parton and shared an anecdote about the band’s nod to her in the 1989 song “Paradise.” Hook even included two songs from his side project band Monaco, “Tender” and “What Do You Want From Me?”
Above the crowd, two figures danced in the VIP section: actors and Doghouse members, Keanu Reeves and Rob Mailhouse. Hook dedicated the last song on the set, “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” to Reeves. As the song started, the pairs’ dance moves became more intense and Reeves pointed to the crowd, jumping around. Later, Reeves waved goodbye to the audience like a prince, as Peter Hook and the Light walked off stage, shaking their beer cans at the cheering crowd.
