Over the past four decades — give or take a decade break — the illustrious and critically acclaimed Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) have sold over 40 million records worldwide, establishing them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups. Their 13 long players include benchmark-raising classics Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1980), Organisation (1980), Architecture & Morality (1981), and Dazzle Ships (1983). OMD conquered the United States, and yielded the 1986 hit, "If You Leave" from the Pretty In Pink Soundtrack. They have also achieved 12 top 20 hits on the UK Singles Chart, as well as three top 20 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Following the celebration of their 40th anniversary last year, now, OMD returns with their first new studio album since 2017's highly praised The Punishment Of Luxury, a record entitled Bauhaus Staircase, out today via White Noise (through The Orchard). |
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Bauhaus Staircase — introduced this year with singles "Bauhaus Staircase," "Slow Train," and "Veruschka" — is regarded as OMD's most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba - born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown when, as Andy McCluskey admits: "I rediscovered the creative power of total boredom."
Predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey and Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father), Bauhaus Staircase’s other main external influence was David Watts, mainly known as a rock producer who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent No 1 album and mixed two tracks on the new OMD record. With Bauhaus Staircase, OMD have created a landmark album worthy of their finest work, showing a duo who are still perfectly in sync 45 years after their first gig at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s. "I’m very happy with what we’ve done on this record," McCluskey summarizes. "I’m comfortable if this is OMD’s last statement."
To celebrate their record's release today, the pair are additionally sharing a new visual for focus track, "Anthropocene." A term for the current era in Earth’s evolution, when mankind is directly affecting it, "Anthropocene" is the spiritual heir of Dazzle Ships' mordant electro bangers, a six-minute masterclass in tension as a voiceover starkly intones how mankind is “crushing all diversity” of other species.
The new video for "Anthropocene" will premiere at 7:45 PM UK tonight following the official LP Release Livestream Q&A with both Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, beginning at 7 PM UK on YouTube. Find more information and tune in HERE. |
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 | Bauhaus Staircase Album Launch Q&A with Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys
Beginning at 7 PM UK / 2 PM EST |
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 | OMD - "Anthropocene" [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Premiering at 7:45 PM UK / 2:45 PM EST |
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OMD have also revealed details of their return to the stage, with the band taking to the road next year. Across January, February & March 2024, OMD will play 40 dates across the Europe, UK & Ireland, including their biggest ever London headline show at London’s O2 Arena on March 24th, 2024.
"We are so excited to be able to tour again with a brand new album to showcase,” says Andy McCluskey. “It's been six years since we learned new songs for live performances. The songs from Bauhaus Staircase will fit beautifully into our setlist - we just have to choose which five to play, as we have to treat people to the hits as well!"
OMD will additionally perform alongside New Order, Tears for Fears, Soft Cell, The B-52s, DEVO, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, and many more at the SOLD OUT Darker Waves Festival, taking place Saturday, November 18 in Huntington Beach, CA. They will also play a Darker Waves after show, taking place at House of Blues Anaheim on November 19.
Tickets and more information for all of OMD's forthcoming live dates can be found HERE.
OMD LIVE
Sat Nov 18th - Huntington Beach - Darker Waves Festival *SOLD OUT*
Sun Nov 19 - Anaheim - Darker Waves After Show *SOLD OUT*
Mon Jan 22nd - Oslo - Rockerfeller
Wed Jan 24th - Stockholm - München Brewery
Thurs Jan 25th - Gothenburg - Tradgar’n
Sat Jan 27th - Copenhagen - Grey Hall
Mon Jan 29th - Jena - Sparkassen Arena
Tues Jan 30th - Frankfurt - Jahrhunderthalle (2P)
Thurs Feb 1st - Dusseldorf - Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Fri Feb 2nd- Hamburg - Sporthalle
Sat Feb 3rd - Chemnitz - Stadhalle
Tues Feb 6th - Gdansk - B90
Wed Feb 7th - Warsaw - Stodola
Thurs Feb 8th - Krakow - ICE
Sat Feb 10th - Prague - SaSaZu
Sun Feb 11th - Leipzig - Haus Auensee
Mon Feb 12th - Berlin - Tempodrom
Wed Feb 14th - Amsterdam - AFAS
Thurs Feb 15th - Brussels - Cirque Royal
Fri Feb 16th - Paris - La Cigale
Tue Feb 27th - Belfast - Ulster Hall
Wed Feb 28th - Dublin - 3Olympia Theatre
Fri Mar 1st - Manchester - O2 Apollo
Sun Mar 3rd - Liverpool - M&S Bank Arena
Tue Mar 5th - Leeds - First Direct Arena
Wed Mar 6th - Edinburgh - Usher Hall
Fri Mar 8th - Glasgow - Royal Concert Hall
Sat Mar 9th - Newcastle - O2 City Hall
Sun Mar 10th - Sheffield - City Hall
Tue Mar 12th - Leicester - De Montfort Hall
Wed Mar 13th - Nottingham - Royal Concert Hall
Fri Mar 15th - Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
Sat Mar 16th - Swansea - Swansea Arena
Sun Mar 17th - Southend-On-Sea - Cliffs Pavillion
Tue Mar 19th - Bristol - Beacon
Wed Mar 20th - Oxford - New Theatre
Fri Mar 22nd - Portsmouth - Guildhall
Sat Mar 23rd - Ipswich - Regent
Sun Mar 24th - London - The O2
Tue Mar 26th - Brighton - Dome
Wed Mar 27th - Eastbourne - Winter Gardens
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