Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) is gearing up for an exciting new chapter as they embark on their U.S. tour, showcasing both recent work and classic hits.
After a successful release of their 2023 studio album ‘Bauhaus Staircase,’ the band is eager to engage with their loyal fanbase, particularly during their Atlanta stop at the Buckhead Theatre on May 29.
Lead vocalist Andy McCluskey has spent the past few years working on new material, including atmospheric tracks like ‘Veruschka,’ originally intended for an unmade album with his former duo partner, Claudia Brücken.
While McCluskey’s creative juices flow, his bandmate Paul Humphreys has been busy with personal endeavors, including moving to France and family life.
Despite this, Humphreys contributed to some of the album’s standout tracks, such as the futuristic ‘Anthropocene’ and the nostalgic ‘Look at You Now.’
The long-standing friendship between McCluskey and Humphreys dates back to their school days, but the band’s journey has been anything but linear.
After OMD initially disbanded in 1989 due to creative differences, McCluskey continued under the OMD name before officially retiring it in 1996.
A decade later, the band reunited for a German television show, marking the beginning of a new era for OMD, which has since released four albums, including ‘The Punishment of Luxury’ in 2017.
Despite his doubts regarding the possibility of another full album, McCluskey expresses joy in touring and the occasional spark of inspiration to create new music.
He noted, ‘It is increasingly hard to make a full album we think is up to the standard that we’d like it to be,’ reflecting on the challenges that come with their lengthy career.
After undergoing knee replacement and vocal cord surgery, McCluskey is now fully committed to the current tour, eager to gauge audience reactions to their latest songs mixed with beloved classics.
OMD’s setlist will feature a blend of familiar hits that audiences have come to adore, alongside more recent tracks that are proving to fit seamlessly into their performances.
‘I love touring and, if the mood is upon me, I love the idea of sitting down and trying something,’ McCluskey shared.
He further explained, ‘We would be stupid to not play our hits and all the things people love to hear,’ suggesting the band’s awareness of their legacy and the expectations of their fans.
Reflecting on their origins, McCluskey recalls the unique intersection of sounds in the late ’70s. Influenced by pioneering bands like Kraftwerk and the Velvet Underground, he and Humphreys embraced a non-traditional path in music.
McCluskey initially played guitar but switched to bass due to discomfort with the strings. Ironically, the left-handed bass he acquired forced him to play upside down, a quirky but enduring part of his style.
Their friendship deepened while experimenting with home-made devices that transformed their music into what they called ‘strange sounds,’ which ultimately caught the attention of industry players at venues like Liverpool’s Eric’s Club.
Tony Wilson, the influential figure behind Factory Records, proclaimed OMD as ‘the future of pop music,’ a sentiment that surprised the duo since they perceived their work as avant-garde, not mainstream pop.
Looking back, McCluskey remembers their early singles like ‘Electricity’ and ‘Messages’ and recognizes that they were trailblazers in electronic pop at a time when such a genre barely existed.
With the recent pandemic influencing creative patterns, McCluskey acknowledges the hurdles that have arisen but expresses optimism toward the possibilities ahead.
As OMD prepares for their upcoming tour, fans can anticipate a mesmerizing evening filled with nostalgia, fresh melodies, and the indelible spirit of a band that defined a genre.
CONCERT PREVIEW
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
8 p.m. Thursday, May 29 at Buckhead Theatre. General admission tickets: $43.50.
3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 404-843-2825, livenation.com.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/05/orchestral-manoeuvres-comes-out-of-the-dark-to-mix-tunes-old-and-new/
