In 1980, after the death of Ian Curtis, lead singer and frontman of Joy Division, the other band members, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris founded New Order, soon joined them keyboardist Gillian Gilbert.

Although the early New Order brought the musical legacy by Joy Division, then they embraced a new styling very close to dance music, their hit of 1983 "Blue Monday" marks the radical change in to the new style, with synthesizers and drum machines.

New Order were inactive between 1993 and 1998, years in which the members participated on various side-projects. The band rejoined in 1998, and in 2001 published 'Get Ready', their first album since 8 years. In 2005, Phil Cunningham (guitars, synthesizers) replaced Gilbert, who left the band for family reasons. In 2007, Peter Hook left the band and formed Freebass, while Sumner and Cunningham founded the Bad Lieutenant.

In September 2011, the New Order announced their reunion for some benefit concerts, with Tom Chapman on bass instead of Peter Hook.