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After the recent announcement of their forthcoming new studio album, synth pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) reveal details of their return to the stage, with the band taking to the road next year.

Across February and March 2024, OMD will play 22 dates across the UK and Ireland.

“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!”

The band also release Slow Train – the second installment from their forthcoming new studio album Bauhaus Staircase. A raucous, glam-tinged explosion, Slow Train arrives with help from the band’s only other external influence David Watts. Known as a rock producer, who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent number one album What’s Rock And Roll?, he brings a sharp, exciting new sound to the record.

“Slow Train is a bonkers song and the video is stunningly crazy!” Andy reflects. “It feels nice to be able to challenge people’s expectations of the band after 45 years of creating music.”

The new album sees the band’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. A broad, electronic, sonic masterpiece that lyrically tackles the topics of the future, it was predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.

OMD have sold an astonishing 25 million singles and 15 million albums, which has established them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups. Their 13 albums include reissued Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1980), Organisation (1980), Architecture and Morality (1981) and Dazzle Ships (1983).

By rights, OMD should be in semi-retirement, performing classics like Enola Gay and Maid Of Orleans on the nostalgia festival circuit like so many peers. Instead, they’ve created a landmark album worthy of their finest work. If real life meant OMD were happy to get help, Bauhaus Staircase remains unmistakably the work of a duo who are still perfectly in sync 45 years after their first gig at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s.