New Order’s Bernard Sumner with the songs that made him

There’s a family tree of modern music and one of its biggest branches is New Order.

The Manchester band, formed in the wake of Joy Division’s untimely end, have fed into the sound of almost every band and artist you’ve loved for, for forty years. Even if you’re not a fan, you can trace their blueprint across all you hear. Their transformation from post punk to electronic music, swept up kids who would go on to become techno DJ’s, rock bands, pop acts, and everything in between.

In the 80’s, they were the backbone of The Hacienda, bringing big club culture to Manchester. And over four decades there have been stops and starts, barneys and breakups.

It’s a lucky year when I have the chance to Take 5 with two different members of New Order. You might remember back in winter 2019 Peter Hook joined me to share his Unknown Pleasures. If you missed that, scroll back in your feed to hear Hooky’s tales.

In 2020, it was Bernard Sumner’s turn. The surprise frontman of New Order, who made it his own. The theme I gave Bernard, was just that. The songs that made him. And from Iggy Pop to Arcade Fire, he traced the blueprint of his own life, with plenty of incredible stories between.

Iggy Pop - ‘Shades’

Electronic - ‘Twisted Tenderness’

Joe Smooth - ‘Promised Land’

Arcade Fire - ‘Ready To Start’

David Morales - ‘Hideaway [Ft. Blondewearingblack] [Classic Mix]’