OMD have always had a connection with Glasgow… the people, the culture and the love of good music sit easily with them.
Andy McLuskey also has family roots here and says he has always had an affinity with the city.
OMD have been around since forever and are quite rightly hailed as pioneers of synth music in the UK; their love of Kraftwerk ensured that they would bring their own signature sound to the burgeoning electronic scene of the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Without them, The Human League, Daniel Miller and so many others, the current music scene would have (probably) sounded and looked so much different.
Tonight the lads brought their tour to the stunning Royal Concert Hall in the centre of town, in the knowledge that they’d be playing to their usual sold out audience.
As the house lights dimmed some really spectacular visuals accompanied the intro track before they took to the stage to huge acclaim.
The latest album – Bauhaus Staircase – was given its Glasgow debut with the eponymous track being a particular favourite of those in attendance.
However… the OMD classics are ALWAYS the stand out tracks for the army of aging fans who had the place bouncing from the off.
Special mention must go to the drummer Stewart Kershaw for his outstanding beats in Maid of Orleans and Sailing on the Seven Seas… it was breathtaking.
That’s how live drumming should sound with an electronic band; there’s a drummer with another electronic giant who should take note!
On keys and saxophone was Martin Cooper aka The Cucumber (as in as cool as) and it’s always a pleasure and a privilege to hear and see him at work.
Andy obviously takes stage craft to a different level with his “dancing” and his chat between songs.
The whirling Scouser’s energy levels belie his age and then some… he must be on a double dose of whatever vitamins Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode takes as both of them put younger performers to shame with their presence and vim!
He even photobombed and had selfies with fans as he performed…
Paul brings his calm and collected personality front and centre as he takes over vocal duties and comes over as a very likeable (and talented) man.
As the show comes to an end the stomping Enola Gay has the venue roof almost falling in… the noise was huge!
The visuals during Enola Gay were particularly relevant not just to the song but as a reflection of how fragile the world is today with wars and the massive shadow of nuclear weapons hanging over us… perhaps a time to reflect?
But, for the time being, it’s time for those present to bask in the knowledge that they were there and hoping the lads have another tour in them.
But… it’s not really over!!
The lads are energised enough by the ovation that they treat those that stayed to another 3 belters… not only can you feel the electricity in the atmosphere but you can here it as OMD belt out their classic early track of the same name.
Now it’s over
Thank you OMD
GLASGOW SALUTES YOU
Review & Photographs by John Brown
