Pitchfork

MTV reports that digipop sequinsizers New Order are already gearing up to begin work on their follow-up to 2001's Get Ready. This shows surprisingly speedy resolve for the notoriously molasses-paced band, as the gap between 1993's Republic and their previous outing was like a really long time. (Do the math, scholars.) The group has enlisted hotshot producers Stephen Street and John Leckie, both of which fetch top dollar in their field, as together, their track record spans work with John Lennon, Pink Floyd, The Smiths and Radiohead. New Order are hoping that each producer will be able to highlight the band's strengths in different ways, ultimately producing a varied and uneven result. (Wait, our words, not theirs.) There's no word on a release date yet, but if you're really, really, really, really patient, one will be surely revealed someday.

In the meantime, Ordertakers Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook will be performing at the Ritz in Manchester, England on May 23rd during a tribute to their former manager, Rob Gretton, who died of a heart attack in 1999. The two won't be reminiscing about yesteryear by jamming through the New Order staples, however, as Hook will be joining avant-maniacs A Certain Ratio, while Bernard Sumner will be sitting in with Doves for an acoustic performance. All proceeds from the event will go to Manchester Kids, a charity dedicated to helping underprivileged children in-- you guessed it-- Bavaria. Oh, we're so funny!