Mike Oldfield, born in Reading, England in 1953, gained fame with his album-length conceptual piece Tubular Bells, utilized in the film The Exorcist. The instrumental composition, performed on nearly 30 instruments mainly by Oldfield himself, achieved global success and established Virgin Records as a prominent label. Oldfield continued to release successful albums, exploring various genres from ambient to pop, with highlights such as Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn, and Incantations. In 2014, he made a critically acclaimed return to pop/rock with Man on the Rocks, followed by the release of a sequel to Ommadawn titled Return to Ommadawn in 2017, characterized by its handmade production and diverse instrumentation.

Throughout his career, Oldfield has showcased a versatile musical style, from classical influences in Music of the Spheres to the pop/rock sound of Man on the Rocks. His extensive discography includes Tubular Bells II and III, along with concept albums like Light + Shade. In 2015, he announced the development of Return to Ommadawn, a sequel to his 1975 album, featuring a range of instruments and a return to a more organic musical approach. Oldfield's enduring creativity and innovative approach to music have solidified his status as a pioneering figure in the industry.