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 A glass of classic OMD, on the rocks with a slice of  modern !

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Roundhouse London May 3rd 2013.

What person who grew up listening to eighties music would not attend an OMD gig ? a real treat for anyone who wants to touch base with their younger days. It's so nice to see such a band still going with a loyal fan base.

Tonights show is packed out and rightly so , with many a fan sporting the T-shirt to promote their new album that is receiving very positive feedback. OMD are electronic heroes spanning a career that began in the late seventies. Tonights support act is John Foxx And The Maths , Mr Foxx the legend who initially fronted Ultravox prior to Midge Ure. He covers his classics  'Burning Car' and 'Underpass', a wonderful start to the evening.

OMDs Andy McCluskey is still an enthusiastic dancer and he has the energy of a teenager , putting everything he's got into every song. The show begins with a track from their new album 'English Electric'. 'Metroland', a beautiful uplifting track that makes you want to dance. The title inspired Andy while he was out in Covent Garden and saw an advert for the Metropolitan London Railway system which became coined by advertisers as Metroland.

Second up is the fabulous 'Messages' their 1980 classic , breathtaking and quite an emotional experience "so don't ask me if I think it's true that communication can bring hope to those , who have gone their seperate ways ". Keyboard player Paul Humphreys takes over lead vocals for 'Forever Live and Die' the track that has a wonderful prominent bassline.

Andy is appearing to be having a ball instructing the crowd to dance and join in as though he will not take no for an answer. He is very funny with a sharp wit. "Surprised you came in out of the sun tonight , summer is finally here , which means autumns coming " which sets off giggles from the crowd.

'Dresden' from the new album resembles 'Telstar' by The Tornados mixed with 'Enola Gay' bright upbeat and danceable with a techno feel. Again Paul takes over from vocals with 'Souvenir' the track with the beautiful melody. "All I need is coordinaton , I can't imagine my destination ". Both Forever Live and Die and Souvenir were initially recorded with Paul on lead vocals.

The classics keep coming  'Maid of Orleans' 'If you Leave' 'Talking Loud and Clear' 'Enola Gay'. Tonight has truly been food for the soul , a wonderful celebration of music past and present in the company of one of the greatest yet modest bands ever.

The encore track is the sublime 'Electricity' the track that put OMD on the map.

OMDs new album' Metroland'  is out now on 100% Records.