New Order will play two European shows next month, but bass player Peter Hook will not be joining Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert when the band return to the fold.
The twin gigs, to be held at the Ancienne Belgique, Brussels on October 17th and the La Bataclanon, Paris a day later, have been arranged as benefit shows in aid of New Order’s music video producer Michael Shamberg, who has been suffering with a debilitating illness since 2005.
“Michael has been with us from the very start. Initially he was in charge of Factory New York, then became creative producer for all our early videos,” said Bernard Sumner.
“He brought our attention to the early works of Directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Gina Birch, Robert Breer, Peter Care and Phillipe Decouffle. Michael is very ill and needs constant medical attention. We want to help him, and these shows will contribute financial support towards his ongoing care.”
“It’s been a long ten years since I took a break from the band, so I I’m really happy to be back, and this is a great place to start,” added Gillian Gilbert. “Michael is a very good friend, and I want to help him, so it’s perfect timing for me to comeback now.”
This is very good news, I thought their new track HELLBENT was amazing which appeared on the TOTAL compilation, New Order is a great band, It would have been better if Peter Hook could be with them also, but I guess they are still mad and arguing with each other.