Gilbert's family moved from her birthplace, Manchester, to the nearby market town of Macclesfield when she was young.

[2] In the late 1970s, seeing Siouxsie and the Banshees play live on UK television was a life changing experience for her.

[2] In a 1987 interview with Option, Gilbert reflected on the first time she became familiar with Joy Division: "We didn't have a car and us three needed a lift home.

After Ian Curtis's death in May 1980, the three remaining members of Joy Division started a new band called New Order.

Wishing to complete their line-up with someone they knew well and whose musical skill and style was compatible with their own, New Order invited Gilbert to join the band during the early part of October 1980, as keyboardist and guitarist.

Gilbert stopped touring with New Order in 1998 so that she could care for their children,[7] one of whom suffers from neuromyelitis optica.

[9] Gilbert participated in the recording of 2001's Get Ready,[10] after which she was replaced by Phil Cunningham in New Order's line-up.

The band had initially reformed, after 4 years, to play two benefit gigs for Michael Schamberg, video-producer and long-time friend.

[11] Gilbert performed alongside Cunningham (who remained a member), expanding the group to a quintet.