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English new wave/synthpop act, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, developed a strong fan base in the 80s, before returning to the fore in 2006, selling over 40 million records worldwide.
Originally based in the area of Liverpool, UK, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark were formed in 1978, with Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey making up the core members. Playing together in school, they later added Paul Collister, soon joining Factory Records for their debut single, “Electricity.†Impressing with this debut effort, they soon signed to Virgin Records subsidiary, DinDisc, deciding to utilise the record advance to create their own studio.
At the turn of the decade, their debut full-length, “Organisation†appeared, bolstered by the Top Ten single, “Enola Gay.†A steady string of successful albums followed, “Architecture & Morality†(1981), “Dazzle Ships†(1983) and “Junk Culture†(1984), all full of experimentation of the new wave sound that brought them several hit singles in the UK. Turning to a more pop-oriented vibe, “Crush†managed to break the charts across the Atlantic, with the single, “So In Love†reaching number 26 and “If You Leave†number four in 1986. “The Pacific Age†also piqued the interest of American fans but failed to impress at home.
By 1991, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark had lost much of their lineup, with McCluskey continued on, releasing “Sugar Tax†that same year. “Liberator†followed in 1993 and “Universal†in 1996 before the band went on an extended hiatus to embark on different projects.
Fast forward ten years and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark returned to their full lineup, performing live to great support, eventually writing new material in 2009. Their European fancies remained in droves and their new album, “History of Modern†in 2010 sold successfully, most notably in Germany. “English Electric†in 2013 also landed to great aplomb in the UK, peaking at number 12 and number eight in the US on the Dance/Electronic Albums Chart.
Read moreIt is impossible not to immediately gravitate towards the deep, warm poppy synthesizer tunes that Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (A.K.A., OMD) has perfected so well. The band’s reformation in 2006 was completely joyous news to hear for all diehard synthpop enthusiasts across the world, and their most recent live performances have left audience’s completely ecstatic. It is easy to tell that OMD are as happy as ever to be back on stage performing to their enthusiastic audience. Lead singer and bass player, Andy McCluskey, dances around stage swinging his bass guitar around, and is high-fiving everyone in the audience. Paul Humphreys plays his electrifying synth leads that makes the whole venue turn into a dance floor allowing the audience to party to the beat. Bright, colorful lights flash rapidly all over the stage to the highly energetic performance of the band.
The band plays a diverse amount of songs live. They perform their more dark wave tracks such as “Enola Gay†from the album, Organisation, which is an album highly influenced by Kraftwerk and Brian Eno. They also perform their more synthpop classics such as “So in Love†and their dearly loved song (at least by American audiences), “If You Leaveâ€, which was featured on the film, Pretty In Pink. OMD has also released several albums since their reformation such as, History of Modern and English Electric, which have received great reviews, and multiple songs from these albums are performed live to the glee of the audiences. Although OMD writes great catchy songs, they are well regarded for having a deeper intellectual depth in their music compared to other synthpop contemporaries. The editor for The Quietus magazine has gone on to call them “not only one of the best synth bands ever: they are one of the best bands everâ€.
When you attend an OMD performance you can be sure that they will be giving their full 100%, cranking out all the sythpop hits that we love so dearly.
This event made me an incredible happiness and seven days before Christmas which was my great gift of all these years
Especially when I slipped my hand behind the back of Andy McCluskey and him on my shoulder and I thought I was going to faint and it was still in a dream ....
Being a great French fan for many years at the age of 14 and now 53 years old it's crazy!
In addition I wanted for too long to meet my favorite idols and that evening and in addition, I had told them their new book 40 years "pretending to see the future" my name Dalida My last name was mentioned on the last page and that's why I went to Liverpool Caverne Club last December for "finally"! realize my dream for almost 40 years of love and that night I managed
Andy and Paul were very happy and delighted to have been there for them and especially Andy who told me little French words to put me at ease and I saw that he was very happy and after I asked him if I could still have a photo and also to Paul and they accepted and I slipped my ma behind Andy's back and him on my shoulder and Paul there was no more room for also put his on my shoulder
They were wonderful and so kind to me and me especially met my favorite idols
In addition to Andy I offered him a very beautiful picture believing that he would never recognize it and it was his greatest gift and Andy McCluskey will never forget this gift on behalf of his very big French fan and this evening was really successful and without regret.
OMD my idols and forever
Unforgettable evening and the only French to have participated in this event.
In addition I will very soon see them again in Paris February 16, 2020 in concert with VIP upgrades backstage all to be near them again and meet other members omd group.
This event made me an incredible happiness and seven days before Christmas which was my great gift of all these years
Especially when I slipped my hand behind the back of Andy McCluskey and him on my shoulder and I thought I was going to faint and it was still in a dream ....
Being a great French fan for many years at the age of 14 and now 53 years old it's crazy!
In addition I wanted for too long to meet my favorite idols and that evening and in addition, I had told them their new book 40 years "pretending to see the future" my name Dalida My last name was mentioned on the last page and that's why I went to Liverpool Caverne Club last December for "finally"! realize my dream for almost 40 years of love and that night I managed
Andy and Paul were very happy and delighted to have been there for them and especially Andy who told me little French words to put me at ease and I saw that he was very happy and after I asked him if I could still have a photo and also to Paul and they accepted and I slipped my ma behind Andy's back and him on my shoulder and Paul there was no more room for also put his on my shoulder
They were wonderful and so kind to me and me especially met my favorite idols
In addition to Andy I offered him a very beautiful picture believing that he would never recognize it and it was his greatest gift and Andy McCluskey will never forget this gift on behalf of his very big French fan and this evening was really successful and without regret.
OMD my idols and forever
Unforgettable evening and the only French to have participated in this event.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) have a surprisingly compelling live show considering they are an older band playing a somewhat austere brand of synth-pop that one might think would translate somewhat poorly to a live show.
Many people in the audience are older, since the band was at its peak when this style of music was in vogue in the 80’s. However, most of the fans have long sense abandoned the gothic fashions often associated with this type of music! As a band that plays primarily electronic music, the band uses a large amount of synthesizers and similar musical instruments, some which are vintage, and others which are more modern.
The band uses a large amount of lights and other staging elements to compensate for the lack of stage presence that this type of music is often associated with. Although some people would consider this kind of music to be somewhat boring in a live setting, the audience actually gets pretty into it, with a few nostalgic and brave people dancing to the band’s more poppy numbers.
Seeing OMD live is an introspective and thoughtful experience, but also a surprisingly energetic experience with more crowd participation than one might think, considering the nature of the band’s music.
I am a very big French fan since almost 40 years of love of the orchestra group Manœuvres in the Dark at the age of 14 years and today 53 years old and I since all these years, I wanted to make my biggest Christmas present and I succeeded
For the group's 40-year careerI learned that there was my name Dalida in the new 40 year old book "pretending to see the future" so I decided in no time to go to Liverpool Cavern Club to meet for the first time my favorite idols and it was a dream for all years and I succeeded!
Being in their fan club at the time and 2 times to see them live in Paris and to date 40 years, I arrived on December 18, 2018.
They were wonderful and so kind to me Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys and especially Andy who told me French words to put me at ease and I offered him a very beautiful picture that will never forget on behalf of his great French fan.
I was the only French to have participated in this event at Liverpool Cavern Club.
An unforgettable evening that will always remain in my memory.
I will see them again soon in Paris February 16, 2020 with VIP upgrate backstage and the concert and I will meet other members of the group.
So, as a person of a very similar age to the fabulous duo that is OMD, and having seen them initially over 35 years ago, this was always going to be in some ways an enjoyable walk down memory lane.
That said I'm sure I didn't view it with rose tinted spectacles, nor did all the rest of the audience.
It was a step back in time to 80s pop synth at its best, but also a concert that other far more modern artists would be proud to have performed (think PSB and the like).
Ably supported by a drummer and keyboard (and sax) player, Andy and Paul both performed as if they were still in their 20s and played a set that lasted over 90 minutes that passed in flash. Included were the majority of their greatest hits (much applauded by the 50 something (and 60 something) audience) and also some of their latest singles (again well received (its OMD, of course it would be well received)).
All in all this was marvellous concert, well performed (great voice and dancing Andy) and likewise well received by a very enthusiastic audience.
I will certainly watch them again when they next tour, as this concert rolled back the years for nearly all the audience.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark were known as one of the UK's most experimental and exciting acts during their heyday in the 80s. They represented new abilities when it came to the live format and amassed a huge following in the UK, the US and across Europe so fans were obviously disappointed when the band called a hiatus in the mid-90s. However an unexpected reformation in 2006 offered them hope to once again step into the warped and twisted world of OMD.
The new tours are not simply a 'greatest hits' selection nor are they a showcase of the band's new workings, it is a well considered structure of work from across the long discography. The remaining members have clearly thought about what tracks work well together and stand them side by side in sophisticated succinctness. It is a really well designed show with the lighting, visuals and instrumentals all complimenting each other perfectly. The encore is a lavish performance of 'Electricity' and 'The Romance of the Telescope' to dazzle the crowds one more time before the lights fade to black and you are left in quiet contemplation about what you have just witnessed.
Certainly one of the best bands to see live, OMD proved once again they are amazing. I attended the historical Toronto show in 2013 where the drummer, Malcolm, suffered a heart attack near the end of the show. This show on March 12th 2018 in Toronto was like they made up for lost time... everything went down perfectly! They sounded incredible, were very into the fans, and great stage energy abound. Andy and Paul sound timeless, and the band on the whole are brilliantly entertaining. I had the great fortune of participating in the "meet & greet" as well, and they are very down to earth and nostalgic. This is the 3rd time I've seen them live and they do not disappoint. Every show has been exciting and new, and their recent material blends beautifully with their classics, which sound rich and modern. I can't say enough good about OMD's live performances, and the vibe they bring to old and new fans alike! This Toronto show was indeed a treat, and a clear reminder of why they are so relevant today as they were in their humble beginnings. GO SEE THEM LIVE!!!
What can I say? Fab fab fab!! Hadn't seen OMD since 2006/7 when they supported Simple Minds at Odyssey Arena,Belfast.They totally stole the show from SM.Andy Mc Cluskey had soooooo much energy,bouncing around from one edge of the stage to the other.Fast forward 10 years and vocally and energy wise he's still got it!The whole band were fab in October at Mandela Hall,Belfast,despite the uncomfortable overheating issue.Mr McCluskey is such a force.They are lyrical,musical geniuses,and as an original 80's teen,I find them as good now as they ever were.They are definately my favourite 80's band by a mile.Their back catalogue is FULL of masterpieces,both lyrically and musically and I am now fully obsessed,researching EVERYTHING I can find.Even some b sides I have found are much too good to be so......and would certainly put to shame a lot of modern day "hits". Cannot praise them enough.Andy's voice sublime and generally fab all round.10/10 for everything.....music,dance,vocals and set.Hope they return soon.I need another fix!!
The venue in Belfast was packed and with no aircon, very warm.
OMD played a varied set lasting over 90 mins. They started with a couple of tunes from the recent album release The Punishment of Luxury before delving in to the archive of 80s hits.
All were graciously received by the enthusiastic crowd. A bra or two even landed on stage from adoring female 40 somethings.
Andy Mcluskey was in fine form cavorting all over the stage in his unique way but was close to overheating. His voice was excellent and has certainly stood the test of time.
Paul Humphries swapped places at the mic to sing Souvenir and What have we done.
The Belfast fans were treated to first ever live performance in the city of 80s smash Secret.
No hit was missed and even Genetic Engineering performed after votes were cast by fans before the gig began.
Overall a first class show. Those attending the tour in bigger venues will not be dissappointed but this smaller stage proved fantastic. Thanks OMD and Mandela Hall.
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Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 45 concerts across 4 countries in 2025-2026. View all concerts.
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