In what seemed like a vivid, overly luscious synth-pop dream, famed British new wave outfit Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD) performed at the 9:30 Club last Tuesday after a two-year absence from the metro area. In fact, other than a few LA gigs, they haven’t toured the US at all since 2016. For their DC engagement, OMD delivered a solid performance with the highest caliber of showmanship.
For a band who nearly birthed the synth pop genre, OMD’s audience expects quite a lot—and make no mistake about it, this band delivers. OMD pours every bit of their heart, energy, and talent into their live show, and hearing their dreamy, synthesized layers come together in a live setting is intoxicating.
Right out of the box, lead vocalist and founding member Andy McCluskey was on fire with the set opener “Ghost Star” from the new record—even dropping some expressive dance moves across the stage like he was a man on a mission. Trading vocal duties throughout the night with the band’s co-founder Paul Humphreys on tracks like
“(Forever) Live and Die,” OMD took the venue through their catalog while highlighting new tracks “Isotype,” “What Have We Done,”and “One More Time.” Cell phones were held high to record the band’s ever famous hit from 1986, “If You Leave.”
OMD’s lineup consists of Andy McCluskey on vocals and bass guitar, Paul Humphreys on keyboards and vocals, Martin Cooper playing various instruments, and Stuart Kershaw on drums.
On the road to promote their 13th studio effort, The Punishment of Luxury released last year, OMD is touring extensively through the US into April and will continue through Europe until the Fall. Their new album is available in black vinyl with a die-cut sleeve and original artwork.
SETLIST
Ghost Star
Isotype
Messages
Tesla Girls
History of Modern (Part 1)
One More Time
(Forever) Live and Die
If You Leave
Souvenir
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
Of All the Things We’ve Made
What Have We Done
So in Love
Locomotion
The Punishment of Luxury
Sailing on the Seven Seas
Enola Gay
ENCORE
Dreaming
Secret
Electricity
