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Tag: New Order

  • New Order’s Morris, Gilbert Not Touring For ‘Foreseeable Future’

    In a move that brings a sense of quiet reflection to the storied career of New Order, founding members Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert have announced a pause on their touring activities due to personal health reasons.

    This decision comes as the group prepares for a significant milestone: their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 14. The news arrives draped in an air of bittersweet nostalgia, prompting fans and observers to reflect on the enduring legacy of a band whose influence stretches back to the revolutionary sound of Joy Division.

    The statement confirmed that Morris, 68, and Gilbert, 65, are unable to perform “due to personal health reasons.” The message was delivered by the founding members, accompanied by expressions of regret from Bernard Sumner, Phil Cunningham, and Tom Chapman, who noted that the circumstances made touring impossible.

    While the focus is understandably on their health and time, the backdrop for this news is rich with history and complex relationships. New Order’s journey in the last decade has seen a notable reduction in live activity, reflecting a slower pace of life for the group. In recent years, the band has played fewer than thirty shows annually, underscoring a deliberate shift away from relentless touring.

    The anticipation surrounding the upcoming Hall of Fame induction adds an intriguing layer to this pause. It might serve as a moment for reflection on the decades of creative output and the evolution of the group’s sound.

    Adding another layer of complexity is the potential dynamic between Morris, Gilbert, and former bassist Peter Hook. Hook, who was fired from the band in 2007, has maintained a noted history of friction with the members in the press. This context suggests that this period of reduced activity may be more than just a temporary health break; it could signal a time for reevaluation.

    When asked about the future, Morris offered a wonderfully pragmatic perspective. In an interview from 1985, he reflected on stardom and the pursuit of success, stating that while there is no desperate need for fame, all one truly desires is the means to continue moving forward. He noted that the focus should remain on simply carrying on with the next thing, rather than chasing illusions of stardom.

    Ultimately, this announcement serves as a reminder that even legendary acts navigate their paths through personal challenges. As New Order looks toward their legacy and the future, the silence surrounding their immediate touring schedule is punctuated by an enduring story of rock history, resilience, and the complicated bonds that define a career built on noise and emotion.

    Credit: Spin

  • New Order announce that Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert “won’t be touring for the foreseeable future” due to “personal health reasons”

    A pause in the music world seems imminent as New Order announces a significant shift in its touring plans, citing personal health reasons for the founding members, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, stepping back from the road.

    The news sends ripples through the community, particularly concerning upcoming performances. Specifically, the band confirmed that they will not be touring for the foreseeable future, meaning they will miss the opportunity to perform at Fauna Primavera in Chile this November.

    “Bernard, Phil and Tom are really sorry that Stephen and Gillian can’t join us this time, but unfortunately the circumstances make it impossible,” New Order stated, acknowledging the difficult decision behind the change.

    This temporary separation immediately alters the lineup for live performances. At the upcoming show, Bernard Sumner will be the sole original member of the group on stage. The band has undergone several changes over the years, reflecting shifts in time and personal circumstances.

    The history of New Order’s lineup is quite a fascinating timeline of musical evolution. Phil Cunningham joined the group in 2001 when Gillian was unable to tour. Later, when original bassist Peter Hook departed in 2007, Tom Chapman stepped in to fill that crucial role.

    Gillian Gilbert later rejoined the band in 2011, and Cunningham remained a constant presence throughout this period. While there is currently no official word regarding who will be handling the drums for future shows, the focus remains on the creative direction moving forward.

    Despite this change in touring status, the musical legacy continues to evolve. Meanwhile, Peter Hook is charting his own course, taking his band The Light on the road this fall. He will be celebrating the history of New Order by playing their 2001 album Get Ready in full, along with a second set of iconic songs from both New Order and Joy Division.

    Credit: BrooklynVegan

  • Multiple New Order Members Step Back from Touring Due to Health Reasons

    The legacy of post-punk titans continues to shine, as New Order and their legendary peers are set to celebrate their place in music history. Alongside Joy Division, the duo is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, cementing their enduring impact on the genre.

    This milestone is underscored by exciting upcoming plans. The band has recently confirmed they will be returning to Chile for a highly anticipated performance at Primavera Sound’s Festival Fauna in Santiago this November, bringing their storied sound to South America for the first time in seven years.

    However, as plans for the spectacular festival unfold, there has been an adjustment to the live lineup. Keyboardist and guitarist Gillian Gilbert, along with drummer Stephen Morris—who have been married since 1994—have announced they will be taking a step back from performing live at this time.

    New Order issued a heartfelt statement regarding this change, expressing regret that these circumstances make their participation impossible. They apologized to the fans, acknowledging that due to personal health reasons, Gilbert and Morris will not be joining them for the Festival Fauna show or future tours in the foreseeable future.

    The exact details surrounding their health issues remain private, but the announcement highlights the human element behind the music. While the dates for the performance remain fixed, the focus shifts to supporting the band as they navigate these personal challenges.

    The question now turns to the future lineup: who will step in to fill the roles of Gilbert and Morris? While details are pending, the message sent by New Order emphasizes that the spirit of their music remains strong, regardless of physical limitations. The focus shifts from the specific personnel to the lasting impact of a group that has defined a generation of sound.

    Credit: Exclaim!

  • Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert Will Not Be Touring With New Order “For The Foreseeable Future”

    The storied history of New Order has recently taken a dramatic turn, as internal tensions and creative divergences have spilled into the public spotlight. The simmering drama reached a boiling point following the announcement of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 inductees.

    A key figure in the band, founding bassist Peter Hook, addressed these accolades by revealing a significant rift among his former bandmates. Hook stated that he would not be standing alongside his ex-bandmates and admitted that he had not spoken with any of them for many years.

    This public declaration immediately set the stage for further internal shifts within New Order. The fallout extended beyond personal history, impacting the group’s immediate future plans. In response to these dynamics, the band made a significant announcement regarding their touring arrangements.

    New Order confirmed that drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert will not be touring with the band for the foreseeable future. This decision signals a pause in the group’s collaborative efforts, creating an uncertain chapter for the musicians involved.

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    Credit: Stereogum

  • Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert aren’t playing live with New Order “for the foreseeable future”

    When a band announces a pause, it often sends ripples through the music world. For New Order, the news has been that drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Gillian Gilbert will be stepping away from live touring for the foreseeable future, citing personal health reasons.

    This announcement marks a significant moment for a band steeped in post-punk history, reminding us of the complex tapestry woven by its members. Morris was a crucial rhythmic force in Joy Division alongside Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Ian Curtis, before the formation of New Order following Curtis’ passing in 1980. Gilbert joined the fold shortly after, becoming instrumental in steering the band’s evolution from post-punk into the wider landscape of electronic music.

    The current live configuration of New Order has been centered around Sumner, Morris, and Gilbert since the band’s return in 2011, a period that has seen them solidify their unique sound. This lineup shift brings a fresh perspective to their ongoing story, particularly as they look toward their future performances.

    The narrative of New Order is also intertwined with the history of Peter Hook, who departed the band in 2007. While a full and final settlement regarding ownership and assets was reached in 2017, the relationship between Hook and the core members has remained an interesting subplot. Hook himself has commented on the situation, suggesting that music, like life, sometimes demands separation, even when strong ties exist.

    In a lighthearted reflection on these complex dynamics, Hook joked that perhaps Oasis could act as peacekeepers for the estranged bandmates, imagining them uniting to play classics like “Transmission“ and “Blue Monday“.

    Despite the current hiatus in touring, New Order remains vibrant, continuing to celebrate its legacy. The band has recently announced a remastered collection, “The Best & The Rest Of New Order”, set for release on July 17, which features classic singles alongside rare remixes.

    This period of reflection comes as the band celebrates milestones in music history. The members—Ian Curtis, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Bernard Sumner—are all slated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, a recognition that acknowledges their profound and lasting influence on the genre.

    Gillian Gilbert’s role in the band’s trajectory is particularly celebrated. Artists like Kelly Lee Owens have widely championed her contribution, calling her a “synth queen” whose presence in the 80s and 90s was iconic and deeply cool.

    Beyond New Order, Morris and Gilbert have continued their creative partnership outside the band as The Other Two, releasing albums like “The Other Two & You” in 1993 and “Super Highways” in 1999.

    New Order’s ongoing commitment to their sound is evident in other recent releases; Joy Division, the band’s predecessor, also recently announced “Eternal”, a massive new live recordings box set that captures the band’s influential career. The story of New Order continues to unfold, rich with history, artistry, and enduring musical impact.

    Credit: NME

  • New Order’s Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert Step Back From Touring

    The legendary Manchester outfit, New Order, is taking a moment to reset before diving back into the world of live music, and their recent announcements are sparking serious excitement among fans.

    Drummer Stephen Morris and bassist Gillian Gilbert have announced that the duo will be stepping back from touring this year. While this pause might seem like a quiet chapter, it serves as a strategic breather before they embark on an exciting new phase of musical adventures.

    But don’t let the temporary hiatus dampen the momentum—the road is about to get interesting. New Order has confirmed a fresh batch of live shows scheduled for the coming months, promising high-energy performances across the globe.

    One of the highly anticipated stops on this new itinerary is set in South America. For the first time in seven years, the band is gearing up for their debut performance in the continent, adding a unique and thrilling dimension to their touring history.

    Adding an extra layer of excitement, the schedule also features a show at Primavera in Chile later this year. This opportunity brings the iconic sound of New Order to a vibrant new setting, marking a significant milestone for both the band and the Chilean music scene.

    This renewed commitment to the road signals that the legacy of New Order is far from over; it’s simply entering a spectacular new era of performance. Fans are eagerly anticipating where this fresh wave of touring will take them next.

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    Credit: Clash Magazine

  • First Joy Division Live Anthology Due In Sept.

    Four decades after their defining, atmospheric sound captured the landscape of Manchester, the legendary post-punk band Joy Division is finally opening up its vaults for the first time with Eternal (Live). This sprawling 14CD/2DVD collection is not just a retrospective; it is the definitive concert anthology, meticulously gathering audio from sixteen rare performances, offering an unprecedented look into the band’s brief but transformative live career.

    Eternal (Live) represents years of dedication, sourcing material from audience cassettes, soundboard tapes, and broadcast recordings. These fragments were then masterfully brought together and newly mastered at Abbey Road Studios, ensuring that the raw energy of those live shows is preserved in pristine clarity.

    The collection features an incredible array of history. It traces Joy Division’s journey from their early 1979 performances all the way through to their final show on May 2, 1980, at High Hall in Birmingham. Fans will discover previously unreleased concerts, including sessions held at London’s Hope & Anchor and Acklam Hall, alongside unheard recordings captured from seminal venues like Manchester’s Factory, London’s Lyceum, and the Moonlight Club.

    Beyond these rare concerts, Eternal (Live) preserves pivotal moments in the band’s evolution. It contains performances of material that would later define their studio albums, including live takes of songs from Unknown Pleasures and Closer. Perhaps the most poignant inclusion is Joy Division’s final concert at High Hall, where the group performed “Ceremony” live for the first and only time—a performance that would later become an enduring cornerstone for New Order.

    The collection extends beyond audio, featuring more than two-and-a-half hours of compelling film footage across two DVDs. Highlights include the previously unseen Plan K concert from Brussels, expanded shots from the Apollo Theatre in Manchester, and a newly edited version of Joy Division — A Malcolm Whitehead Film.

    The physical release is stunning, housed in a 12-inch box featuring striking artwork from artists like Warren Jackson, Peter Saville, Howard Wakefield, and Brett Wickens, complemented by cover photography by Wolfgang Tillmans. The accompanying booklet offers deeper context, including notes from poet Simon Armitage and photographs by Anton Corbijn and Kevin Cummins.

    The announcement arrives at a moment of deep interest in Joy Division’s enduring legacy. Amid ongoing recognition for the band, which will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, and the public focus on Ian Curtis—the subject of an ongoing exhibit—Eternal (Live) offers fans an intimate and exhaustive window into the powerful, unforgettable world created by Joy Division.

    Credit: Spin