Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are set to perform an historic show in Rochdale this summer as part of the Greater Manchester Town of Culture‘s ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ campaign.
It will be OMD’s debut performance in the town, where they will be supported by Peter Hook & The Light and A Certain Ratio.
Taking place on Friday 7th August 2026 at Rochdale Town Hall Square, it will be the first time all three artists have shared a bill together in 47 years.
Co-founder and lead vocalist of OMD, Andy McCluskey, commented: “We can’t wait to come and play at Rochdale’s magnificent town hall square.
“We recorded our first single at Rochdale’s Cargo Studios back in 1979, but have never played in the town before, so what a great way to finally come back and have a party with our old Factory Records friends.”
With a four-decade-career, selling over 40 million records worldwide and scoring 18 Top 40 hits, August sees OMD will bring their ‘Summer of Hits’ show to the town.
Peter Hook recorded the seminal Joy Division track, ‘Atmosphere’ at Kenion Street’s legendary Cargo Studios in the town, and later became co-owner of the studio and rebrand it as Suite-16.
A Certain Ratio recorded their iconic debut single ‘All Night Party’ with Martin Hannett at the iconic studio, so all three artists on the bill have a special connection to the town.
Hooky commented: “Simply because of John Brierley and Cargo Studios on Kenion Street, all three of us – me, OMD and A Certain Ratio recorded with John, engineering at Cargo.
“He was a sonic assassin, working wonders with the equipment in that studio. The songs sounded as fantastic then as they still do today, it must have been something in the water!”
Martin Moscrop, founding member of A Certain Ratio, adds: “This show feels like the Factory Records outings we did between 1979 and 1980, when we used to go out as a package and played many times with OMD and Joy Division.
“So playing with Peter, Andy and Paul again will be a pleasure. The last time we all played together was at The Acklam Hall, London back in May 1979.”
Tickets (£55+ booking fee) and VIP upgrade packages are available at quaytickets.com and rochdale.gov.uk/YourEvents.
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