The flagship band for Manchester-based independent record label Factory Records, New Order became one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands of the last thirty years. Their unique brand of synth pop was years ahead of their contemporaries, bridging the gap between post-punk and electronic dance music, and combining new wave aesthetics with the electronic textures and disco rhythms of underground club culture.

New Order formed in 1980 after the break-up of Joy Division. The band’s remaining members - guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris - added keyboard player Gillian Gilbert to their lineup and began recording.

The group released their debut album, ‘Movement’ in 1981, and it was the release of single ‘Blue Monday’ that saw New Order break into the UK Top 10 for the first time. ‘Blue Monday’ became a defining anthem for the group, becoming the highest selling 12-inch single of all time. 

Their second album, 1983’s ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ saw the group reach the Top 10 in the UK. Albums 'Low-Life' and 'Brotherhood' followed, cementing this success in 1987 with the single ‘True Faith’ and the compilation album ‘Substance.’ In 1989 they released ‘Technique’ which was the first New Order album to reach #1 in the UK Albums chart. 1993’s ‘Republic’ also hit the top spot and received a Mercury Music Prize nomination. Albums 'Get Ready' and 'Waiting For The Sirens' Call' followed, reaching the UK chart top 10, and going Gold and Silver respectively in the UK.

September 2015 saw the release of a much anticipated new studio album to widespread critical acclaim. 'Music Complete' finds the group revitalised, and where the group has previously pushed toward electronics or guitars, here the two are in balance. The album's title seems to shine a hue on New Order's new manifesto: new line-up, newly eclectic sound, reinvigorated in their fourth decade as a unit. Music Complete? They're only just getting started again.