OMD Debut 3D Animated Video for “Slow Train” and Announce EU and UK Tour

Kicking and screaming but it’s no go
Licking and spitting but it’s so low
Break the little piggies but it’s all gone
Saving all the pennies but it takes so long

Few have carved out a legacy as enduring as Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD). With over 40 million records sold and a discography that boasts classics like their self-titled debut and Dazzle Ships, OMD has been a beacon for synth enthusiasts and pop aficionados alike. Even their 1986 hit from the soundtrack of John Hugh’s film Pretty in Pink, “If You Leave,” still echoes in the annals of pop history. But their latest single, emerging from the abstract shadows of their forthcoming album, Bauhaus Staircase, “Slow Train,” shows that the band hasn’t run out of steam or innovative tracks ahead of them.

“Slow Train” is a lively and glamorous anthem that combines the styles of Goldfrapp and T. Rex, demonstrating OMD’s capacity to grow while remaining authentic. With assistance from David Watts, recognized for his contributions to Sheffield’s The Reytons, the song highlights OMD’s skill for blending different genres and showcases their versatility.

“We might be seen as ‘heritage,’ but we’re not going to make a new album just so we can have a new logo on our T-shirts,“ insists McCluskey.

Slow Train delivers us a rambunctious chorus reminiscent of those old childhood jeers, paired with the universal grievances of growing up. It’s time to reject societal norms…the incessant demands of adult life…the internal struggle of rebellion versus compliance. It is time to find one’s voice and place in a world that often demands we sing along without question.

“‘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 video, created by the team at Cine1080Studio, is a gorgeous sci-fi spectacle showcasing faceless humanoids in a zero-gravity alternate universe, exploring their strange space. One thing is for certain: these cyborgs love to float.

Watch below:

Bauhaus Staircase promises to be the most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of the OMD’s desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba – born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown when, as Andy McCluskey admits: “I rediscovered the creative power of total boredom.”

He acknowledges he was privileged to have that comfort, but being stuck at home took the singer back to his earliest days as a songwriter: “It was like being a teenager, mum watching Kojak and me thinking: ‘Fuck this, I’m going to my room to write a song.’ For the first time since then, there was nothing else to do. It’s good inspiration.”

“The fans and the critics said: ‘You can put The Punishment Of Luxury up against their best work’ and rated it next to Architecture And Morality or Dazzle Ships,” notes Paul Humphreys. “The reception was so good, we thought: ‘Maybe we should stop now, at the top,’ so the idea of making a new record had some trepidation for us.”

McCluskey agrees, explaining: “We’ve worked hard to rebuild ourselves since reforming, and we’re in a wonderful position where we’re cooler than we’ve been for a long time. We wouldn’t forgive ourselves if we released an album where fans said: ‘Oh no, this is the one where they’re a pastiche of themselves.’ If Bauhaus Staircase is to be our last album, we’re going out with a strong statement.”

Beyond the studio, OMD is gearing up for a massive tour in 2024, with 40 dates spanning Europe, the UK, and Ireland. The highlight? A monumental performance at London’s O2 Arena.

For those eager to catch them live, tickets for their headlining tour will be available from September 22.

And for Huntington Beach, CA fans, OMD will be gracing the Darker Waves Festival stage on November 18, 2023, alongside legends like New Order and The B-52s.

“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!”

OMD’s new album, Bauhaus Staircase, will be released on 27th October. Limited and signed formats are now available for pre-order at BauhausStaircase.com.

Tickets for the band’s newly announced headlining tour go on sale Friday, September 22 at 10 AM CET. Find more information HERE.

OMD LIVE:

• Sat Nov 18th – Huntington Beach – Darker Waves Festival
• Mon Jan 22nd – Oslo – Rockerfeller
• Wed Jan 24th – Stockholm – München Brewery
• Thurs Jan 25th – Gothenburg – Tradgar’n
• Sat Jan 27th – Copenhagen – Grey Hall
• Mon Jan 29th – Jena – Sparkassen Arena
• Tues Jan 30th  – Frankfurt – Jahrhunderthalle (2P)
• Thurs Feb 1st – Dusseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
• Fri Feb 2nd-  Hamburg – Sporthalle
• Sat Feb 3rd – Chemnitz – Stadhalle
• Tues Feb 6th – Gdansk – B90
• Wed Feb 7th – Warsaw – Stodola
• Thurs Feb 8th – Krakow – ICE
• Sat Feb 10th – Prague – SaSaZu
• Sun Feb 11th – Leipzig – Haus Auensee
• Mon Feb 12th – Berlin – Tempodrom
• Wed Feb 14th – Amsterdam – AFAS
• Thurs Feb 15th – Brussels – Cirque Royal
• Fri Feb 16th – Paris – La Cigale
• Tue Feb 27th – Belfast – Ulster Hall
• Wed Feb 28th – Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre
• Fri Mar 1st – Manchester – O2 Apollo
• Sun Mar 3rd – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
• Tue Mar 5th – Leeds – First Direct Arena
• Wed Mar 6th – Edinburgh – Usher Hall
• Fri Mar 8th – Glasgow – Royal Concert Hall
• Sat Mar 9th – Newcastle – O2 City Hall
• Sun Mar 10th – Sheffield – City Hall
• Tue Mar 12th – Leicester – De Montfort Hall
• Wed Mar 13th – Nottingham – Royal Concert Hall
• Fri Mar 15th – Wolverhampton – Civic Hall
• Sat Mar 16th  – Swansea – Swansea Arena
• Sun Mar 17th – Southend-On-Sea – Cliffs Pavillion
• Tue Mar 19th – Bristol – Beacon
• Wed Mar 20th – Oxford – New Theatre
• Fri Mar 22nd – Portsmouth – Guildhall
• Sat Mar 23rd – Ipswich – Regent
• Sun Mar 24th – London – The O2
• Tue Mar 26th – Brighton – Dome
• Wed Mar 27th – Eastbourne – Winter Gardens

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