Wednesday 16 March 2022.

Tuesday 15 March 2022. OMD live at The Royal Albert Hall. OMD - ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK play the second of two special shows at the RAH. I have seen OMD over 15 times since 1979 when they supported JOY DIVISION at The Nashville. They were regulars at Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s when i worked front of stage security. I saw their most recent London show at Hammersmith Apollo in Nov 2021. OMD have had 18 x Top 40 hit singles in the UK, including seven that made the Top 10. OMD have sold an astonishing 25 million singles and 15 million albums, which has established them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved electro-pop bands. First set - b-sides & rarities & and a couple of hits Second set - mainly greatest hits ---------------- It is a full house at this iconic venue tonight. Most folks here are in their fifties and sixties , who remember OMD from the 1980s. OMD are onstage for two hours over two sets of 55 mins and 65 mins. Four of them on stage , all four dressed head to toe in black...two keyboards, no guitars. A top notch stage production with loads of lights and three big screens showing pre-recorded images. Singer Andy is still showing off his original "dad dancing" moves as usual, which is pretty much "performance art". Loads of their great catchy synth-pop hit singles played tonight. The first set had a few rarities played and included their classic hit "Messages" which got played early on, and this was the cue for the downstairs seats to get up and stay dancing for the remainder of the show. The group co-founders Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys are like your best mates down the pub, with their easy-going, friendly stage banter. A great show. Full setlist for OMD tonight... FIRST SET Atomic Ranch Stanlow Pretending to See the Future (First time since 1984) Messages Red Frame/White Light Julia's Song Isotype Time Zones Statues Almost The Punishment of Luxury Bunker Soldiers (First time live since 2010) Electricity SECOND SET Please Remain Seated Ghost Star History of Modern (Part 1) (Forever) Live and Die If You Leave Souvenir Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) Our System (First time live since 2013) So in Love Sailing on the Seven Seas Enola Gay Encore: Walking on the Milky Way The Romance of the Telescope ---------------- The Telegraph newspaper gave the show a glowing five star review.

Posted 16th March 2022