ORCHESTRAL Manoeuvres In The Dark will be the first band to play at legendary Eric's club in Liverpool when it re-opens later this year.

The Wirral band - who played their first gig at the iconic Mathew Street venue in 1978 - will interrupt their world tour for the special launch on September 10.

The club, which hosted performances by Blondie, The Police and The Sex Pistols, opened in 1976, closing its doors in 1980.

An official launch is planned in October to mark the 35th anniversary of the club's first opening.

Looking forward to the launch, OMD's co-founder Andy McCluskey said: "If Eric's had not existed then neither would OMD!

"Even though you cannot recreate what Eric's meant to our generation over 30 years ago, it will be fun to play on the same stage again remembering the past whilst hopefully celebrating a new and different future."

Eric's influence on the music scene in the 1970s was legendary. With early gigs from Blondie, Buzzcocks, The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Jam, Joy Division, The Police, The Sex Pistols and The Stranglers.

The place was a favourite haunt for people who would later form bands such as The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

Ethan Allen, the club's director, said: "It's quite fitting that OMD, who played their first ever gig at Eric's over 30 years should come back to re-open the new Eric's."

"We're over the moon to welcome such an iconic band back to the venue but we’re also looking forward to showcasing the next wave of new talent over the forthcoming months at club."

Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys launched their own unique style of electronic melodies and thoughtful lyrics that helped form OMD's reputation for intelligent pop.

Their hits include Joan of Arc, Electricity, Messages, Souvenir, Sailing on the Seven Seas and Enola Gay. Their latest studio album, History of Modern, was released last year.

Supporting them on September 10 will be Liverpool band, Kids on Bridges, who promise to bring their own blend of Electro Pop to the masses.

The band's frontman Christian Bragg said: "Kids on Bridges wouldn't exist if it wasn't for bands such as OMD.

"To play with a band that has crossed generations and pioneered electro and is still as relevant in today's electronic generation is a great honour.

"To play with them at Eric's where it all began is a dream and it's why you get into playing music".