On June 11, 2022 I was at the Hello Festival in Emmen (Netherlands). Especially for the performanc of Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark. Much to my delight the first song was Enola Gay. The song I first heard of in 1980. 42 years later I heard the song live for the first time and witnessed a fantastic live performancy by OMD. How coult I nog have seen OMD perform live before. Well it is wat is is. I definitely want to see them perform again!

Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper and Stuart Kershaw where present at the Hello Festival.

I have 6 records of OMD. My favorite song is listed next to it.

1. Oranisation (1980): Enola Gay
2. Architecture & Morality (1981): Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
3. Junk Culture (1984): Talking Loud and Clear
4. Crush (1985): So In Love
5. Extended version of If You Leave (1986)
6. Stay (1986): Goddes of Love
7. Liberator (1993): Dream Of me (Based On Love’s Theme) and Dollar Girl

But the song I like the most is: History of Modern, Pt.1. The song I first heard on the Hello Festival. Watch the fantastic video I made of this at the Hello Festival.

The history of History of Modern

History of Modern was the first studio album of OMD since 1996 (Universal). The title was presented by Andy McCluskey after a visit to a museum wher an exhibition was running named The history of modernism. The title is also an explanation of the music played on the album. OMD went back to the style from their eary days, danceable music with many synthesizers with a somewhat melancholy slant, when OMD was issued, it was a novelty, but in 2011 it was history. The album was released on september 20, 2010 in Europe and a week later in the US.

The melanchonic is exactly what appeals to me in the songs of OMD. You feel joy in your body and in your heart with certain songs. History of Modern, Pt 1. is one of them.

The hisory of Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark was founded in 1978 by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.

Both were fascinated by the electronic music of Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream among others. The debut album with the name Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark was released in 1980 on February 22, 1980, followed a few months later by the second albub “Organisatieon”. OMD had a major tot 10 hit in many European countries, with “Enola Gay”, a song about the bomber Enola Gay who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Curiously enougt, “Enola Gay”dit not become a hit in The Netherlands.

Their big breakthrough came with their third album “Architecture and Morality” (1981), although the first single from the record, “Souvenir” only became a minor hit in the Netherlands. On the other hand, the third single “Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)”, with a spectacular video clip for the time, was a bull’s-eye and ended up at number one in the charts in the Netherlands, alongside many other European countries.

Subsequent albums “Dazzle Ships” (1983), “Junk Culture” (1984), “Crush” (1985) and “Pacific Age” (1986) all reached the top of the album charts and were accompanied by a staff expansion, especially for the live performances. OMD had a number of hits, including “Locomotion”, “So in Love” and “(Forever) Live and Die”.

After 1986 it became quiet around the group. The band members called it quits. The days of success were over, and only McCluskey remained. In 1991 he released the album “Sugar Tax” as OMD, followed by “Liberator” (1993) and “Universal” (1996).

With a new line-up, Andy goes on tour again in 1991 and 1993 and also visits the Netherlands in 1993, for the first time since 1985. After the disappointing sales of the last two albums, McCluskey stops with OMD.

In 2006 the band was reconstituted in the original line-up and in 2007 the tour Architecture & Morality started, which was named after their third and most successful album.

In September 2010, OMD’s new studio album, “History of Modern” was released.

In April 2013, the new album “English Electric” was released. The media has generally praised this second concept album. OMD is also going on tour again to promote the new album. In May in Europe and in June and July in the United States and Canada. The final leg of the tour had to be canceled due to a heart attack suffered by drummer Malcolm Holmes while performing in Toronto.

On September 1, 2017, “The Punishment of Luxury” was released. In November 2021, an extensive tour in the United Kingdom took place in honor of the 40th anniversary of their most successful album Architecture & Morality, in 2022 there will be a.o. a new tour through the United States, and – together with Simple Minds – in Australia.

The release date of OMD’s new and now 14th studio album is scheduled for spring 2023! All fans are looking forward it.

40th Anniversary Box Set

More than 40 years ago, O.M.D. debuted with Electricity – now OMD has sold 25 million singles and 15 million albums!

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) continues their 40th anniversary with the career box set, Souvenir and brand new greatest hits collection of the same name, which is released on October 4, 2019. The special box set contains 5 CDs and 2 DVDs in a 10″ box set, along with a hardback book, poster and a series of 10″ prints is housed in a ten-inch box with a hardcover book, a poster and some 10-inch prints.

The audio discs (CD 1 and 2) contain all of the band’s singles, from ‘Electricity’ to ‘What Have We Done’, as well as a brand new single ‘Don’t Go‘, exclusive to this release.

The box set also includes a previously unreleased live show of the Hammersmith Odeon in 1983, 22 previously unreleased demos (CD 3) from the archive selected and mixed by Paul Humphreys, rare and unreleased live material from the BBC and a full live show from the Mermaid Theatre in 2011.

The two DVD’s and the book

The first of two DVDs includes BBC TV appearances from Top Of The Pops, Old Grey Whistle Test, Later With Jools Holland and more. The other includes a live show of the Crush Tour at Sheffield City Hall in 1985, another live show of the Architecture & Morality Tour at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1981, as well as Crush – The Movie.

The book contains unseen photographs, one-sleeve artwork, an introduction by Paul Morley and sleeve notes to Andy McCluskey’s archival material.

A new 2CD and 3LP greatest hits package – Souvenir – The Singles 1979-2019 (the first two discs in the box, effectively) is available separately.

OMD on my Spotify

The best songs and greatest hits of the great English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark are collected here. Well-known songs from similar bands have been added. Enjoy these fantastic songs! Click on the different songs for short fragments. Search on Spotify for the title: This is OMD and Simular Artists and click the heart to follow this playlist.

https://open.spotify.com/user/1160413037?si=b290d710c9ce4c66

Fans of OMD

There are a few Facebookgroups for the O.M.D. fans. I am active on these three and have posted my videos from the Hello Festival.

OMD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/orchestralmanoeuvresinthedark

Andy, Paul, Mal, Martin and Stuart of OMD – Appreciation Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8087816414

OMD Fans all over the wordt! (Fan Page): https://www.facebook.com/groups/143242545850890/

Motion and Heart is the fan site for OMD: /https://www.omd.me.uk/

The official website of OMD: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (omd.uk.com): https://www.omd.uk.com/

I hope you like my blog. If you want to give a comment or share a memory of OMD you can go to the bottom of the blog.

Interview Jan Willem Dijk on 4EVER49 Radio

24 October