Consequence of Sound
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Opening with Please Remain Seated, the intro piece from its new album English Electric, OMD scarcely phased the largely standing crowd such was the buzz of anticipation in the humid air. Amid a sea of coloured lights battling the ubiquitous smoke machine, the band launched into the melodic strains of Metroland. Flanked by the dark suited Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper on twin Rolands and drummer Malcolm Holmes astride a monster kit, Andy McCluskey dressed in a loose white shirt and black jeans orchestrated the crowd with lavish arm gestures from the off. His band mates blended into the stage backdrop, the keyboardists in particular acting as restrained foils to McCluskeys verve.
While it was obvious that the crowd appreciated the oldies, with the back end segment of Sister Mary Says through to the inevitable Enola Gay drawing an increasingly fervent response, the new material stood up very well by comparison. Along with the pulsing Metroland, the stabbing rhythms and percussive power of Our System stood out. Contrasting the purity of space exploration with human failings, the song was delivered with a passion by McCluskey that spoke of higher ideals than dance exhibitions. For me, though, the best of the evening bridged the years; the ultra melodic Kissing The Machine – a 1993 collaboration by McCluskey and former Kraftwerker, Karl Bartos, fully updated by Humphreys on the new album – delighted aurally and visually as a cascade of descending figures played on the stage backdrop. From the back catalogue, putting Joan Of Arc and Maid of Orleans together was a stroke of the sublime.
Please Remain Seated
History Of Modern (Part 1)
(Forever) Live And Die
Maid Of Orleans
Talking Loud And Clear
Kissing The Machine
Sister Marie Says
Sailing On The Seven Seas
Walking On The Milky Way
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Consequence of Sound
Share this:
Opening with Please Remain Seated, the intro piece from its new album English Electric, OMD scarcely phased the largely standing crowd such was the buzz of anticipation in the humid air. Amid a sea of coloured lights battling the ubiquitous smoke machine, the band launched into the melodic strains of Metroland. Flanked by the dark suited Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper on twin Rolands and drummer Malcolm Holmes astride a monster kit, Andy McCluskey dressed in a loose white shirt and black jeans orchestrated the crowd with lavish arm gestures from the off. His band mates blended into the stage backdrop, the keyboardists in particular acting as restrained foils to McCluskeys verve.
While it was obvious that the crowd appreciated the oldies, with the back end segment of Sister Mary Says through to the inevitable Enola Gay drawing an increasingly fervent response, the new material stood up very well by comparison. Along with the pulsing Metroland, the stabbing rhythms and percussive power of Our System stood out. Contrasting the purity of space exploration with human failings, the song was delivered with a passion by McCluskey that spoke of higher ideals than dance exhibitions. For me, though, the best of the evening bridged the years; the ultra melodic Kissing The Machine – a 1993 collaboration by McCluskey and former Kraftwerker, Karl Bartos, fully updated by Humphreys on the new album – delighted aurally and visually as a cascade of descending figures played on the stage backdrop. From the back catalogue, putting Joan Of Arc and Maid of Orleans together was a stroke of the sublime.
Please Remain Seated
History Of Modern (Part 1)
(Forever) Live And Die
Maid Of Orleans
Talking Loud And Clear
Kissing The Machine
Sister Marie Says
Sailing On The Seven Seas
Walking On The Milky Way
Popular
Album Reviews
Film Reviews
Film Review: Happy End
Michael Haneke’s latest exercise in vicious darkness is often effective but treads familiar waters.
Royal Blood perform “I Only Lie When I Love You” on Conan: Watch
A rumbling TV appearance behind their latest LP, How Did We Get So Dark?.
Acid Dad share the Origins of new 7-inch, “Die Hard”/”Bodies”: Stream
Brooklyn psych punks turn to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan for guidance on their latest project.
Frances McDormand’s Top 10 Performances
A look at some of the best work by one of modern Hollywood’s great character actors.
Album Review: Quicksand – Interiors
The post-hardcore heroes’ long-awaited return isn’t a Quicksand record, and that’s okay.
Songkick to cease ticketing operations at the end of the month amidst legal fight with Ticketmaster
The company specialized in selling tickets directly to fans through artists’ websites and fan clubs.
Album Review: Marilyn Manson – Heaven Upside Down
Still twisted, extreme, and dangerous after all these years.
Film Review: The Dark Tower
An over-complicated affair that doesn’t get out of the way of its talented cast.
Album Review: Arcade Fire – Everything Now
For the first time in their storied career, Win Butler and co. sound insubstantial.
OMD’s video for new song “The Punishment of Luxury” is a neon condemnation of consumption society: Watch
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark premiere the title track of their upcoming album.
Glastonbury 2017 Festival Review: Top 10 Sets
Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and Liam Gallagher lift up England’s spirits.
Film Review: The Mummy
Shocker: Universal is more concerned with building a franchise than an actual film.