Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are coming to SA

Before they head out to South Africa, the group will play 22 shows across the UK and Ireland in February and March, including a headline performance at the London O2 Arena on 24 March.

“It’s been far too long since we played live in South Africa,” OMD frontman and bassist Andy McCluskey said. “So we are really excited to be coming to do concerts in April 2024.” The last time OMD played in South Africa was in 1993.

Their upcoming tour is in support of the OMD’s upcoming 14th studio album Bauhaus Staircase – which is touted as the group’s most explicitly political record and the culmination of their desire to be both Stockhausen and ABBA. It was born from the impetus to start exploring new ideas during lockdowns, OMD says. With a broad, electronic, sonic style that lyrically addresses future topics, the record was primarily developed, recorded and mixed by McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.

With 25 million singles and 15 million albums sold, OMD has established itself as a pioneer of electronic synthesiser music and one of Britain’s most beloved pop groups. Notable early albums include Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1980), Organisation (1980), Architecture & Morality (1981) and Dazzle Ships (1983). By rights, OMD should be semi-retired, performing classics like ‘Enola Gay’ and ‘Maid of Orleans’ on nostalgia festival circuits like their peers. Instead, they have created a landmark album worthy of their best work.

Purchase tickets from 25 October here.