The band walked on with flags in hand to big applause to start with a mime to ABC Auto-Industry. Those who had seen The Tube performance in February would have been primed but the rest of the audience were looking aghast. Andy was signalling 'A-B-C' in semaphore, Martin was using the naval flags for the '1-2-3' while Paul was counting with his fingers. Malcolm, looking rather embarrassed operated a primitive Karaoke machine with the lyrics on, should anyone want to actually join in and say 'robotics a science'!! It was weird but it was fun! Paul completed the mime with his robotic arm...timed perfectly so he put all the building blocks into his basket and had none left over!

What now?? Show time proper of course with a powerful version of Genetic Engineering, sounding much better than the actual recording. Then with Messages following straight after, you knew it was business as usual as far an OMD concert. OMD were not afraid to wear their intelligence on their sleeves. The band were serious about their work, hence the high quality of presentation in everything from the album sleeve, merchandising, stage set, set list and stage clothes. But there were moments of humour too. Andy joked that the reason they'd disappeared for 18 months was that they were working out how to do Georgia live! And Almost was introduced by Andy as "a song that was written before Malcolm was even born!"

The set list was perfect. It really was the best OMD have ever done, being taken from four classic albums with a balance between exhilarating danceable pop to moody atmospherics. The weird stuff had even worked in the context of the live presentation! I still can't say which was my highlight. Statues and Romance Of The Telescope played back-to-back? The two Joans? The 'in-yer-face' danceathon trio of Radio Waves, Telegraph and Enola Gay? The beautiful final encore of the gorgeous Silent Running and Stanlow? Too many to choose from but it was simply the greatest concert I have ever been to.

Andy's voice was the best I had ever heard it up to that point. In the past, his voice would break up within a few songs at a gig but it was like he had finally learned his craft and tonight was his graduation. And Andy's dancing was more extreme than ever, looking like a marionette being operated by a rather sadistic puppeteer! Everyone else danced too... not a single person was sat down. This is the one that I judge all other concerts are against - including OMD's.

As we got ready to leave, I'd enjoyed myself so much, I suggested to the others about waiting outside the stage door... just in case we could meet the band. To my surprise after half an hour, we were all invited in!! And there were Andy, Paul, Malcolm and Martin all there to chat to us as we filed by. I got my poster autographed. I still have it. It's framed now and although Malcolm's scribble has faded, it still looks great! It was the first time I'd met my heroes... in fact it was the first time I'd met anyone I considered famous! You can never recreate a moment like this when everything is just perfect. Life is all about special memories like this.

The band would never be the same again... and neither would I. I am so glad I didn't miss this. It was a total pleasure.
Text: Chi Lai
Photo: Dave Elms