OMD to headline major music event at Rochdale Town Hall Square in 2026

Synth-pop pioneers to return to their roots with all-star line-up as part of Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) will headline a major outdoor concert in Rochdale next summer as part of a celebration of the town’s musical legacy.

The iconic duo, who launched their career from Cargo Studios in Rochdale, will take to the stage at the newly restored Town Hall Square on Friday 7 August 2026. They’ll be joined by post-punk legends Peter Hook & The Light and Manchester’s genre-fusing A Certain Ratio.

The show is part of the ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ campaign and will coincide with the town’s year as Greater Manchester’s official Town of Culture.

Known for global hits like Enola Gay, Maid of Orleans and Souvenir, OMD have sold over 40 million records and shaped the sound of 1980s Britain. The band’s debut single Electricity was famously recorded at Cargo Studios in 1979.

After marking their 40th anniversary with a critically praised tour, OMD returned to the charts in 2023 with Bauhaus Staircase, their first album in six years. The release sparked a resurgence in live performances, including major appearances at LA’s Dark Wave and Cruel World festivals, and a record-breaking show at the O2 in London.

Their headline show in Rochdale promises a mix of synth-pop anthems and new material, delivered in what organisers are calling “a night of dancing and timeless hits” in one of the region’s most striking heritage venues.

Joining OMD are Peter Hook & The Light, fronted by Joy Division and New Order co-founder Peter Hook, who also recorded at Cargo Studios. Their set will span both bands’ iconic catalogues and is expected to draw fans from across the country.

The evening will open with a performance from A Certain Ratio, one of Factory Records’ earliest signings. The band helped define the post-punk/funk genre and also have links to Rochdale’s music scene through Cargo Studios. Their most recent album was released in 2020.

The concert is being delivered by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency as a flagship event for ‘Rochdale Music Stories’. The wider campaign aims to honour the town’s musical past and promote its next generation of talent.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said the event will be a landmark moment for the borough.

“We’re so excited to welcome these trailblazing bands for what will be an amazing evening packed with iconic hits. Our beautifully restored town hall square is a fabulous location and this concert will be a wonderful showcase for the town, attracting thousands of music fans for an unforgettable weekend,” she said.

The concert will kick off a weekend of festivities, with the annual Rochdale Feel Good Festival set to follow the next day.

General sale tickets, priced at £55 plus booking fee, will be available from 10am on Monday 22 December at quaytickets.com and rochdale.gov.uk/YourEvents

A pre-sale is already open to subscribers of the council’s event bulletins and Town of Culture mailing list. Residents can sign up for early access via rochdalecreates.co.uk/TownOfCulture