IT was a celebration of the past, present and future as New Order legend Peter Hook ushered in a new era in Manchester with the launch of nightclub The Factory.

And while ghosts from the past were bound to loom large at the Princess Street venue – formerly the offices of Factory Records – Hooky gave us a glimpse of the future with the live debut of songs from his new band Freebass.

Although he admitted the nerves were certainly jangling on the night.

He told me after the gig: “When I started singing I had about 55,000 crises of confidence.

“We've been slated so much for trading on the past, so it was really important for me to be able to debut the new Freebass material too.”

Hooky made sure that the late, great Factory Records supremo Tony Wilson was given pride of place at the venue, literally looking down on proceedings from a portrait hung above the club's reception, just as he had done at the infamous Hacienda club.

Leaping onto stage with a host of musical collaborators including ex-Stone Roses guitarist Mani, author Howard Marks and Freebass singer Gary Briggs for a blistering live set, Hooky also rolled back the years treating fans to a raft of Joy Division and New Order classics including Love Will Tear Us Apart, Blue Monday, and a moving version of Atmosphere sung by ex-Happy Mondays singer Rowetta.

She told The Diary after the gig: “It was really emotional, particularly as I kept looking at the picture of Tony over reception.”

The club, which retains its original Factory Records serial number FAC251, was packed with over 1,000 revellers on the opening night – including showbiz and VIP guests like Coronation Street stars Katherine Kelly, Simon Gregson and Antony Cotton.

“I think it's been a very nice start,” beamed Hooky backstage.

And while his teenage son Jack joined him on stage to perform bass during the set, Hooky tells me he's unlikely to follow in his rock 'n' roll footsteps.

Hooky laughs: “Jack came to me about two years ago and said: 'dad, i've got some bad news, I've given up the group to concentrate on my studies'.

“He's pretty much the exact opposite of me. He's at university studying languages – he can speak six languages, and that's not including English. I'm very proud of him.”

Although Hooky admits he has let Jack have a job at the club – working behind the bar.

“I told him they'll pick on you because your my son, but he's going to do it all the same.”

The revels continued on into Saturday night when Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder caused quite a stir among revellers as he performed a DJ set at the venue.

And up and coming band The Drums couldn't wait to get in on the act – performing a surprise live set at the crack of dawn after their scheduled gig at Manchester Academy.