What this? New Order reforming? Before you fall off your chair this is not your full proper album cum world tour type reformation more like a special one off to help a friend. New Order are to play two benefit gigs in Europe in aid of their old friend, renowned film producer Michael Shamberg.
He produced some of New Order’s best known and groundbreaking videos including the award winning True Faith, Touched by the Hand of God and Regret. The gigs are to help Michael who has been struggling with a debilitating illness since 2005. In the words of Bernard Sumner, “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. He brought our attention to the early works of Directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Gina Birch, Robert Breer, Peter Care, Phillipe Decouffle, Jonathan Demme, Robert Frank, Paula Greiff, Robert Longo, Bailie Walsh & William Wegman. 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.”
What’s more they’ll be joined by Gillian Gilbert who hasn’t played with the band for the last 10 years. Gillian says, “It’s been a long ten years since I took a break from the band, so I’m really happy to be back, and this is a great place to start. Michael is a very good friend, and I want to help him, so it’s perfect timing to come back now!”
Amongst all this good news and generosity it’s a pity that they couldn’t have buried the hatchet with old band-mate Peter Hook if just for this one time being a benefit gig and all. Would have been good seeing the full original squad back together for once. What do we know though? Maybe one day.
Anyway the dates for their first live shows since November 2006, are:
* 17th October 2011- Ancienne Belgique – Brussels
* 18th October 2011 – La Bataclan – Paris
Tickets are available from
Brussels: www.abconcerts.be phone: +32 (0)2 548 24 24
Paris :www.alias-production.fr
