Peter Hook will mark the 50th anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ legendary Manchester gig with a one-off show next year.
The former New Order bassist was in attendance at the first of the iconic gigs at the Lesser Free Trade Hall on 4 June, 1976, and the gig had such an impact on him, he famously went out the next day to buy his first bass and former Warsaw, which later became Joy Division, and will celebrate the milestone with his only UK headline show.
His band Peter Hook + The Light will perform a career-spanning set at Manchester Academy on 4 June, 2026, supported by The Buzzcocks – whose members Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto organised the Sex Pistols shows – and further “surprises along the way”.
An announcement on Instagram read: “On 4th June 1976, a young Peter Hook went to see the Sex Pistols at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. The very next day – having been so inspired by that show – he borrowed £35 from his mum to buy a bass guitar. The rest is history!
“On 4th June 2026 – 50 years to the day since that pivotal night that changed everything for him – @peterhook_thelight will perform a very special, career-spanning, retrospective set at @manchesteracademy, drawing from every part of Hooky’s musical life.
“Fans can expect to hear tracks from the early Warsaw days, @officialjoydivision classics and all eras of his time in New Order, as well as selections from Hooky’s other projects – Revenge, @monaco_band and Freebass. And there may even be a couple more surprises along the way…
“Joining @peterhook_thelight on this special night will be fellow Mancunian stalwarts @the_official_buzzcocks, who are also celebrating their own 50th anniversary.
“This will be @peterhook_thelight’s only full headline UK show in 2026.”
Pre-sale for the shows start on Wednesday (03.12.25) ahead of general sale on Friday (05.12.25).
Joy Division came to an end in 1980 following the death of frontman Ian Curtis with the remaining members going on to form New Order.
The 69-year-old musician wuit the latter group in 2007 due to frictions with the group, and he went on to form Peter Hook and The Light in 2010, performing hits by both New Order and Joy Division.
New Order also still tour and Tom Chapman has been their bassist since 2010.
