Synth-pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) to perform in York next year – as York Museum Gardens announce the return of their live concert series.
Live at York Museum Gardens will return for its third run of shows in July 2026 in what is set to be a weekend of fantastic performances.
And the first headliner has been announced! Wirral electronic duo OMD will perform at the Gardens on Thursday 9 July 2026, and joined by special guests Heaven 17, China Crisis and Andrew Cushin.
A York exclusive postcode presale (YO1, YO10, YO19, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31 & YO32) will go on sale at 10am Wednesday 29 October – tickets available here.
Tickets will go on general sale on Friday 31 October at 10am. Tickets will be available here.
OMD pioneered the synth-pop genre with albums like 1980’s Organisation, 1981’s Architecture and Morality and Dazzle Ships in 1983. Hits such as ‘Enola Gay’, ‘Maid of Orleans’ and ‘Souvenir’ propelled them into the international stratosphere and helped shape the musical landscape of the decade.
Following the celebration of their 40th anniversary, OMD returned in 2023 with their first new studio album since 2017’s acclaimed The Punishment Of Luxury, entitled Bauhaus Staircase.
This will the third season of Live at York Museum Gardens – and the series has previously featured unforgettable outdoor performances from the likes of British art-rock royalty Elbow, disco funk legend Nile Rogers & CHIC, York’s very own alt-rock heroes Shed Seven, Sheffield troubadour Richard Hawley and many more.
Last year’s Live at York Museum Gardens also featured the inaugural York Comedy Festival which featured headliners Katherine Ryan, Dara Ó Briain alongside some of the UK’s brightest and best standups including Yorkshire’s own Maisie Adam, cult TV icon Angelos Epithemiou, rising Irish star Vittorio Angelone and more.
Live at York Museum Gardens is a joint collaboration between Leeds-based Fututresound Group and York Museums Trust.
Rachel Hill, project manager at Futuresound Group, said: “We are excited to be returning to York Museum Gardens next summer; this year was our biggest to date with a series of incredible shows and our debut comedy festival that just wouldn’t have been possible without a great, collaborative relationship with the York Museums Trust.
“It really is a privilege to be coming back to the Gardens again and to be kicking things off with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, too. We cannot wait to reveal what else we have planned for 2026.”
The outdoor concert will once again be set against the backdrop of the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.
More acts are set to be announced for this special music festival – so watch this space!
Kathryn Blacker, chief executive of York Museums Trust, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Futuresound again on the delivery of Live at Museum Gardens and welcoming one of the great pioneers of electronic pop to our beautiful garden setting in 2026.
“These concerts have rapidly established themselves as a cultural asset for York and help us to generate vital additional income to invest back into caring for and sharing our historic spaces and collections.”
Keep up to date with Live at York Museum Gardens here.
