New Order have announced they will play two live shows in Europe in October this year.
These will be the first New Order shows since November 2006 and they see Gillian Gilbert return to the band. Her first performance with New Order was in 1980 when the group played The Squat in Manchester.
The full line-up of the band for this outing includes Stephen Morris on drums, Bernard Sumner on vocals and guitar, Gillian Gilbert on keyboard and guitar, Phil Cunningham on guitar and keyboard and Tom Chapman on bass.
Conspicuously, there is no sign of Peter Hook in the line-up after his acrimonious split from the band in 2007. These gigs will be in Brussels, at the Ancienne Belgique, on the 17th of October and in Paris, at the La Bataclanon on the 18th of October. They are benefit shows in aid of the renowned artist and film producer Michael Shamberg. He produced several of New Order's music videos, including the Brit Award winning True Faith, Touched By The Hand Of God and Regret. Shamberg has been struggling with a debilitating illness since 2005.
Bernard Sumner explained why the band wanted to help him: "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 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."
Meanwhile Gillian Gilbert had this to say of her return: "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.
Michael is a very good friend, and I want to help him, so it's perfect timing for me to comeback now."
