OMD // ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW
1980’S ELECTRO POP KINGS ARE BACK CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH SELL OUT SHOW
OMD PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S ROYAL CONCERT HALL - 31.10.2019
PICTURE BY: | STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★★ (5/5)
Orchestral Manoeuvers In The Dark are back on tour, to celebrate their 40th year of making hit pop tunes, proving they have lost none of their spark or energy. Formed in the Wirral in Merseyside in the late 70s by school friends Paul Humpheys and Andy McCluskey, their electronic approach came mainly from a dislike of guitar music, and inspiration from bands such as Kraftwerk. This new Electronic music scene was just about to burst in Britain, with other bands like The Human League and Depeche Mode also being at the forefront. After a couple of singles which didnt exactly set the charts alight, it was the release of 1980’s Messages single which got OMD chart success, then the follow up Enola Gay really put the band in the spolight. This tour would showcase all the hits plus some album tracks from the bands extensive catalogue.
Support on the night was the band MiG, a young and upcomming 4 piece from Liverpool, whose lineup includes Andy McClusey’s son James. They brand of music was perfect for warming the crowd and their set was warmly received by the Glasgow audience. Fair play to the lads for dressing up as it was Halloween, with the lead singer disguised as Freddie Mercury, and James McCluskey impersonating his father from 40 years ago!
And now for the main act. A deafening roar from the crowd as the main lights went down, and the stage lit up, the band took to their positions and opening tracks Stanlow and Isotype got the crowd ready, with Andy Mcluskey showing us how great a dancer he….isnt. The opening few bars of the 1980 single Messages met with another mighty roar, and McCluskey was in his element, covering the stage with his swaying bass guitar over his shoulder, stopping off when its time to sing, although im sure the audience could have stood in for him easily. Forever (Live and Die) and Souvenir brought Humphreys from behind his keyboard to the front of the stage to take over vocals, which he did admirably.
Joan Of Arc and Maid Of Orleans from the 1981 album Architecture & Morality followed, with McCluskey in fine voice, before the band delve back in to their early albums for Time Zones, Statues and Almost. Don’t Go is a new track, penned for the 2019 Best of compilation entitled Souvenir - The Singles. The big hits kept coming. So In Love, Dreaming, Locomotion, all great tunes from the 80s which still stand the test of time and sound great played live. Sailing on the Seven Seas, the bands 1st single of he 90s and highest chart hit peaking at number 3 was the penultimate song before the roof was nearly blown off the Glasgow venue with the 1980 classic Enola Gay. The band left the stage for a short but well deserved break, with McCluskey in particular looking like he’d just finished running a marathon, but he showed his appreciation of the crowd’s standing ovation by shaking hands with the front row and taking his time to leave the stage. The huge smile on his face was great to see. A three track encore followed with If You Leave, Pandora’s Box and 1979 debut single Electricty closing the gig. One of the bands most recognisable tracks and a huge fans favourite, yet it was released three times and never once made the top 75 in the UK. 40 years on it remains a top tune from a bygone era.
This was a great evening of music from one of the biggest bands of the 80s. Orchestral Maneouvers In The Dark sound as good now as they always have done. The setlist comprised more hits than most bands could dream of and the fans couldnt get enough. For music lovers of days which are but a distant memory, this is a show not to be missed.
SETLIST: | OMD : ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW - 31.10.2019
SOUVENIR TOUR : INTRO
Stanlow
Isotype
Messages
Tesla Girls
History of Modern (Part I)
(Forever) Live and Die
Souvenir
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
Time Zones
Statues
Almost
Don’t Go
So In Love
Dreaming
The Punishment of Luxury
Locomotion
Sailing on the Seven Seas
Enola Gay
ENCORE:
If You Leave
Pandora’s Box
Electricity