Two Members of New Order Step Away From Touring ‘Due to Personal Health Reasons’

New Order has announced that drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert will be absent from their upcoming performance at Chile's Primavera festival this November, citing unspecified personal health issues as the reason. The revelation came via the band's official Instagram account on Monday, where the post stated that "circumstances make it impossible" for the married duo to join the event. Consequently, frontman Bernard Sumner will stand as the sole original member of the legendary post-punk group taking the stage in Santiago, with the festival running from November 26 to 28. Rounding out the lineup will be Phil Cunningham and Tom Chapman, both of whom have been integral to New Order's touring roster since 2011. This alteration represents a notable departure for the group, as performances without their foundational rhythm section have been exceedingly rare in recent memory.

The band's social media statement conveyed both enthusiasm and regret, emphasizing their eagerness to return to Chile after a seven-year hiatus while acknowledging the disappointment over Morris and Gilbert's absence. "Bernard, Phil and Tom are really sorry that Stephen and Gillian can’t join us this time, but unfortunately the circumstances make it impossible," the message read. Crucially, the announcement left ambiguity regarding whether the health concerns pertain to Morris, Gilbert, or both, and offered no further clarification on the nature of the issues. This development comes just weeks before a landmark moment: Joy Division and New Order are slated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14 in Los Angeles. The honor, which recognizes the bands' transformative impact on post-punk and electronic music, has been widely anticipated by fans and critics, with many viewing it as long overdue recognition for their pioneering fusion of dance beats and melancholic lyricism.

Original Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook, who departed the group in 2007 after a notoriously bitter split and subsequent legal disputes, has confirmed his attendance at the Hall of Fame ceremony. However, in a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Hook made it unequivocally clear that he has no intention of performing alongside his former bandmates. "No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no. No. I won’t stand with them," he declared bluntly. Instead, Hook—who currently fronts his own band, The Light, and is preparing for a U.S. tour in August—expressed a fervent desire to collaborate with Oasis, another inductee this year, with whom he shares a storied connection. "Definitely. Without a shadow of a doubt, for that first gig I gave them in 1990. Do you know what? All I can say is that plans from my side are underway. I’m hoping they come to fruition," Hook added, hinting at potential joint performances that could redefine the evening's dynamic. Industry observers note that Hook's early patronage of Oasis, when he booked them for a pivotal 1990 show at Manchester's Boardwalk club, played a crucial role in launching their meteoric rise, making this potential reunion a deeply symbolic one for fans of both acts.