Peter Hook and the Light at London Roundhouse

Second time to see this band in a month and what a concert!  This time they were playing Unknown Pleasures and Closer, with an aperitif of some New Order stuff.  This was in the Roundhouse in Camden and was sold out.  Much bigger than Valencia this is a great venue to see a band - top notch sound, lighting and plenty of room.  Only downside was the queue for the blokes loo - sheesh.

They were due on stage at 8:00 and as with Valencia they arrived with military precision at 7.59. With no nonsense they dived straight into a set of New Order stuff that I'd never heard before. From New Order's "Movement" it was missing the usual synth, and with lyrics that were very reminiscent of Ian's. In many ways these songs sounded more Joy Division than New Order. I liked this set a lot and have some homework to find out more about where these songs have been all my life!

A short break in which I optimistically hoped there would be enough time to nip to the loo and grab a quick refill at the bar but alas no - they were back on before I managed to get back in!  Agggh!  The second set was Closer and, to my surprise, met with Mrs Fugitivo's approval - much to my (and her) surprise she is turning into a massive Joy Division fan! 

Two powerful particular standouts for me were a magnificent "Isolation", and an utterly mesmerising "Twenty-four hours".  

Another short break and I wasted more money betting on the same horse that I can get to the loo and bar and back in time.  Nope, they were back on again and driving into Unknown Pleasures now while I was still in the queue at the bar!

The sound in the Roundhouse is brilliant - deep solid bass and drums, with a strong and bright guitar, yet none of of this swamping the vocals. A great sound that helped do justice to the band.

"Day of the Lords" started off, as usual, with a powerful and sparse sound.  Unfortunately for the band, Hooky must have had a senior moment and decided to sing the second verse again without telling the band.  Hilarious confusion followed for a couple of bars until everyone gave up.  Apparently the fault was with us "Cockneys who were making everyone nervous"!!!  Any band embarrassment was soon dispelled when they regrouped and the second attempt at the song was nailed with epic style - the best version I have ever seen them play and truely breathtaking.

This is a short clip I grabbed on the iPhone - don't forget to click the full-screen button and crack it up nice and loud.  Listening again to that guitar gives me goosebumps still!

"She's Lost Control" and "Interzone" were usual crowd favourites, along with "Transmission" and "Atmosphere" (as in Valencia this was dedicated to Ian) but standouts for me were "Shadowplay", "Decades" and "Disorder".  Finally  a great version of "Ceremony" rounded off the night.

But wait! There's more! A single encore of "Love will tear us Apart" resulted in a well-deserved standing ovation.  Thanks and Merry Christmas guys!  Hope to see you in 2018 on your travels.