Philip “Phil” Cunningham (born 7 December 1974 in Macclesfield, Cheshire) is an English guitarist who is a member of the bands Marion, New Order and Bad Lieutenant.

Marion

Cunningham is a member of the Britpop group Marion, which formed in Macclesfield in 1993. Along with singer Jaime Harding and fellow guitarist Tony Grantham, Cunningham has writing credits for all of the band’s songs. After Marion’s second album, The Program (recorded with Johnny Marr), frictions within the band began to take their toll; as a result, after heading to America for a fresh start, the band went their separate ways in 1999.

Cunningham joined Electronic as a touring guitarist, working again with Marr and Bernard Sumner from New Order as they promoted their third album Twisted Tenderness. Additionally, he played with LA band Run Run Run, Label and Tailgunner.

Cunningham and Harding resurrected Marion in 2006. Despite releasing an EP of new material and performing well-received live shows, they disbanded again in 2008 as a result of health issues within the band.

In 2011, Marion once again reconvened, with Grantham and bassist Julian Phillips joining Cunningham and Harding, and Jack Mitchell (formerly of Haven) on drums. Their comeback gig was recorded and released as the Alive in Manchester album in April 2012, and the release was accompanied by their first UK tour in over a decade. There are plans for further live shows and a third studio album.

New Order

In 2001, Cunningham joined New Order, initially as a touring musician in place of Gillian Gilbert who had stepped back from live commitments to care for her children. At this time New Order were touring Get Ready, their first album in eight years, and were enjoying a renaissance, playing shows in Europe, Japan and the United States. Cunningham remained part of New Order for the 2005 album Waiting for the Sirens’ Call, where he made his recording and co-writing debut with the band.

From 2007 to 2011 the band were on hiatus, but Cunningham was once again part of New Order’s 2011 reunion concerts, this time with Gilbert also returning to the band. He continues to perform with the band to the present day.

Bad Lieutenant

During a break in New Order activity, Cunningham joined Sumner and Jake Evans (who was part of Marion from 2006 to 2008) to form Bad Lieutenant, which also featured Jack Mitchell, Stephen Morris (New Order) on drums and Alex James (Blur) on bass. Cunningham split the writing duties with Sumner and Evans on the band’s debut album, Never Cry Another Tear.

Discography

Marion

• This World and Body (1996)
• The Program (1998)
• Alive In Manchester (2012)

New Order

• Waiting for the Sirens’ Call (2005)
• Lost Sirens (2013)
• Music Complete (2015)

Bad Lieutenant

• Never Cry Another Tear (2009)