Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark @ Le National

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark are back on North American soil for the first time, with their original line-up, since 1988. I had the chance to catch the tour's second show, at Le National on Sunday March 6th 2011. I need to state something: this was kind of a special show for me to see because I actually saw them on their last tour here; yes, I am talking about the 1988 tour.

Let me bring you back there with me.... OMD was the supporting act for Depeche Mode's Music For The Masses Tour, and if there is one thing I must admit, Depeche Mode was my first favourite band (thanks to my older sisters). This particular concert was my second, of what would be many times, seeing Depeche Mode live; but sadly, it was the only time I got to catch OMD live. That is, until now, 23 years later! I will also admit, I actually don't really remember very much about my last time seeing OMD, other than feeling very small in a giant stadium full of tall old people (I wasn't very old).

This time, it was definitely a more intimate experience than a giant arena show. There were some minor technical problems in the first portion of the show, which seemed to bother front man Andy McCluskey more than anyone else. The crowd was definitely full of adoring fans, swaying and clapping to the synth classics being delivered with expertise and ease by all four band members. With their recent release, History Of Modern, their discography totals eleven full length albums - OMD has enough material to play significantly longer than their near two-hour long set. They did a good job pulling classics from all of their releases, including “Bunker Soldiers,” “Tesla Girls,” “Souvenir,” and “Messages.” I loved that they played their biggest mainstream hit, “If You Leave” (from Pretty In Pink movie fame), closer to the beginning of their set, getting it out of the way to allow room for more of their intelligent, dark, new wave staples. Their set was accented by Andy's original fab dance moves, something words can not, and should not, describe. They closed things off with one of their most critically acclaimed hits, “Enola Gay,” which sent shivers through the waves of churning bodies. Before the night was done, OMD came back for an encore, aptly ending the night with the first song they ever wrote together as a band, “Electricity.” As the lights slowly brightened and I had a chance to glance at other concert goers glowing with their own electricity, I had another flashback from my first OMD experience - I still seemed to be surrounded by many old people again, although this time, thankfully, I wasn't the shortest one in the room!

1 thing I was stoked on: hearing that there was a fan in the audience who had bought tickets to every single OMD show on this particular North American tour. Wow... I admire her sheer fanaticism and ability to splurge!

1 thing I wasn't that stoked on: Andy McKluskey making a snide comment about not selling out the venue. OK, come on prima donna, it's winter in Montréal, it just snowed AGAIN, it's Sunday night, the show began at 8pm, and your fan base is generally closer to retirement age than not... Sorry to state the facts that blatantly. I also think he actually couldn't see how full the venue was, it felt very full/ sold out to me.

1 thing I wish had happened: I wish they had played “The Misunderstanding”. Oh and I wish they had their original synth set up. Sigh...

-Julie M co-hosts With Gay Abandon, Monday's from 2-4pm