New Order’s iconic track ‘Blue Monday’ shares it name with the term given to ‘the most depressing day of the year’ as coined by Sky Travel during a press release in 2005. Each year ‘Blue Monday’ falls on the third Monday of January and serves as a reminder of the grey and cold weather which coincides with post-Christmas blues, the breaking of New Year’s resolutions and the eager anticipation of the month’s wage packet.

The track released in 1983 peaked at Number 9 on the UK Official Singles Chart and has since become one of New Order’s most prominent tracks garnering over 400 million streams on Spotify, creating a lasting legacy in synth-rock.

This year’s ‘Blue Monday’ (January 20) marked the rock band’s third collaboration with the charity, releasing another limited edition t-shirt in honour of the day. The exclusive apparel released for this year’s ‘Blue Monday’ places a specific lyric from the track at the forefront of inspiration: “I find it so hard to say what I need to say”. The lyric deeply resonates with the culture of seeking mental health support and the ideal that opening up about mental health troubles is often the hardest part. Placing this lyric at the centre of this year’s collaboration notifies individuals of CALM’s mandate of reducing the taboo surrounding mental health, as a suicide prevention charity “on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives”.

Whilst announcing the collaboration, New Order shared: “Starting a conversation with somebody could be the most important conversation that person ever has. It could be lifechanging”.

Continuing: “We feel, as CALM ambassador, we have the perfect lyrics and message to get out there on the 2025 edition of the CALM Blue Monday t-shirts. And knowing that all the money raised will help make sure CALM are there for even more people who are struggling makes it even more powerful”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by New Order (@neworderofficial)

The band are no strangers to confronting mental health stigma, besides their annual collaboration with CALM. In 2022, Bernard Summer and Stephen Morris of New Order participated in a Parliamentary discussion surrounding mental health and suicide prevention, this followed the 42^nd Anniversary of Ian Curtis’ passing, Joy Division’s vocalist, and Summer and Morris’ fellow bandmate. Along with this in October 2023, the group participated in a suicide prevention video for World Mental Health Day.

This year’s t-shirt can be purchased here for £29.99, with £10 from each t-shirt sold to be donated to CALM. More information on the initiative and access to help can be found here.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/new-order-release-limited-edition-blue-monday-t-shirt-for-calm/feed/ 0 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/new-order-announce-one-off-concert-in-halifax/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/new-order-announce-one-off-concert-in-halifax/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2021 16:25:20 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=38394 New Order was formed in 1980, from their previous band Joy Division following the sad death of the late lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980. The band is best known for their 1983 hit “Blue Monday” which was credited with being the best 12 inch single of all time.

The Band’s sound has been described as post funk and electro-dance they credit Bowie and Neu as their musical influences. New Order has released 10 studio albums and has achieved particular success with albums “Power, Corruption & Lies” (1983), “Technique” (1989) and “Substance” (1987).

The Band disbanded in 1993 and reunited in 1998. They have been thorough hiatuses and band changes following the departure of bassist Peter Hook in 2007.

Remaining band members Bernard Sumner (Lead vocalist, drummer and guitarist), Stephen Morris (Drums, percussion and keyboards), Gillian Gilbert (keyboards, drums, programming), Phil Cunningham (Guitars, keyboard and electronic percussionist) and Tom Chapman (Bass and keyboards) now make up the band.

The band have announced that they will be performing a one-off concert on the 8th of September in Halifax. Lonelady and DJ Tin Tin are the opening acts billed to also perform.

New Order tweeted:

Ahead of our show at Heaton Park, we’re delighted to announce a one-off gig in Halifax on September 8th with @LoneLadyHQ and DJ Tin Tin.

Ticket information can be found here >> https://t.co/stWbelDAQI#NewOrderHalifax pic.twitter.com/uLqXRdyaEQ

— New Order (@neworder) August 4, 2021

The band will be following up their one-off concert in Halifax with two UK dates and are playing their first concert for four years, in their hometown Manchester at Heaton Park on the 10th September.

The band expressed that:

“The connection between ourselves and Manchester has played a pivotal role in who we are as a band”

New Order will also be performing at the 02 in London for another one-off gig on the 6th of November and embark on their postponed US Tour with the Pet Shop Boys on the 18th of September.

The band released episodes of their podcast “Transmissions” in December 2020 which detailed their journey from Joy Division to New Order when announcing their UK Tour.

New Order UK Tour dates are below. Tickets are available here.

08/08/21 Prince Hall- Halifax
10/09 Heaton Park- Manchester
06/11/ 02- London