Peter Hook in Sacramento

About Peter Hook

Peter Hook is best known as the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division, the Manchester post-punk band that defined the sound of the late 1970s. After Joy Division's dissolution following Ian Curtis's death in 1980, Hook continued with New Order, the electronic-influenced successor band that essentially invented the synth-pop and dance-rock hybrid sound of the 1980s. With New Order, he helped create some of the era's most enduring tracks—"Blue Monday" became one of the best-selling 12-inch singles of all time, and songs like "Temptation" and "Atmosphere" showcased his ability to balance intricate bass lines with the band's increasingly electronic direction. Hook's bass playing is arguably the most distinctive element of both bands' catalogs; his lines are melodic and propulsive rather than merely supportive. After New Order went on hiatus, Hook focused on solo work and tours performing Joy Division and New Order material. He's known for being candid about the bands' history and the tensions that shaped their music.

Hook's shows are meticulous reconstructions of era-defining material—fans come to hear the exact songs that mattered, played faithfully. The crowd is respectful, mostly older, swaying rather than thrashing. There's a meditative quality despite the driving rhythms. His bass tone cuts through everything.

Known for Blue Monday, Temptation, Transmission, Love Will Tear Us Apart, Atmosphere

Peter Hook + Sacramento

Peter Hook brought New Order and Joy Division to Sacramento's Ace of Spades in May 2018, running through 26 songs that spanned his entire catalog. He opened with the marching pulse of "Procession" and anchored the night with the obvious landmarks—"Blue Monday," "Bizarre Love Triangle," "True Faith"—but the real moment came when he threaded the needle between the deep cuts. "Sub-Culture" and "State of the Nation" landed with their synth weight intact, while "Shellshock" and "Warsaw" took things back to the Joy Division days. Closing with "Love Will Tear Us Apart" felt inevitable and earned. The setlist was a bassist's tour through post-punk and electronic music's best arguments.

Peter Hook in Sacramento News

• New White Stripes live album captures "Get Behind Me Satan" tour kick-off Consequence of Sound · Apr 17, 2025
• Mike Ness and pro-Trump concertgoer involved in altercation Punknews · Aug 16, 2018
• Billy Corgan to reunite with Courtney Love for Smashing Pumpkins 30th anniversary concert Consequence of Sound · Jul 31, 2018
• Peter Hook & The Light announce 2018 'Substance' tour dates BrooklynVegan · Jul 19, 2017
• Satellite Party announce lengthy US jaunt NME · Jul 17, 2007

Live Music in Sacramento

Sacramento's electronic and alternative music scene has always been smaller than the coasts, but it's developed real taste for the synthpop and post-punk that defined New Order's influence. Venues like Ace of Spades have carved out space for artists who care more about precision and mood than flash. Hook's Sacramento crowd would have been the type who actually know the difference between a New Order track and a Joy Division one, and appreciate the mathematical coldness that runs through both.

Sacramento road trip to see Peter Hook?

Stay in Midtown Sacramento, where the neighborhood actually feels alive—walk to restaurants, bars, and galleries without planning logistics. Dinner at The Kitchen restaurant offers precise, ingredient-focused cooking that pairs well with the area's wine bar culture. Spend an afternoon at the Crocker Art Museum, one of the country's oldest art institutions, or wander the American River Bike Trail if you need to clear your head before the show. The neighborhood's tree-lined streets and vintage architecture beat anywhere else in town.