Peter Hook in San Jose

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 in San Jose News

• Peter Hook celebrates Joy Division, New Order at San Francisco concert The Mercury News · Sep 11, 2024
• 20 New Rock + Metal Tours Announced This Week (Nov. 10-16, 2023) Loudwire · Nov 17, 2023
• Top concerts: Sammy Hagar, Dave Grohl, Bob Weir star at Bay Area benefits The Mercury News · May 9, 2018
• Dead Souls: A Tribute to Joy Division SanJose.com · Jan 4, 2011

Live Music in San Jose

San Jose's electronic and post-punk underground has always existed in the shadow of San Francisco, but it's got teeth. The city has produced its share of synth-forward acts and dark wave enthusiasts who grew up on exactly the kind of pioneering work Hook did with Joy Division and New Order. His influence runs through the veins of anyone making moody, bass-driven electronic music in the Bay Area.

San Jose road trip to see Peter Hook?

Stay in Willow Glen, where tree-lined streets and local galleries give you something to do before the show. Hit Adega for Portuguese cuisine that actually justifies the price, then walk off dinner around the neighborhood's vintage shops. If you've got afternoon time, the San José Museum of Art is legitimately worth an hour—it's small enough to not feel like a chore, and their contemporary collection is better curated than you'd expect. Grab coffee at Chromatic before heading to the venue. The area's low-key enough that you won't feel like you're in a tourist trap, but established enough that everything works.