York-October 27th, 2019
Well, it’s that time again….an OMD UK tour LOL. I am only doing 6 gigs this round…small tour for me for sure…but ah well. Sadly, most of the friends I usually see the shows with are doing ones other than me. ☹ But have made a few new ones recently so will have them around which will be fun. 😊
I ended up flying out a couple days early. Normally I try to come in night before gig if it’s not in London or super close but this time I came in 2 nights ahead so I could stay with a good NON-OMD buddy as I jokingly call her and it was lovely! Usually I only have a partial day with her as it’s a squeezed in visit between gigs during a “free day” but this time we had remaining arrival day and ALL next day which was awesome! Always sad to say goodbye but at least I was leaving for more fun which was in the makings of York, my first gig.
It had been years since I visited York! 2001 to be exact as another dear friend and I had done a UK tour back then and York was on the list. But no time to sightsee really as I had VIP for this trip and train came in mid afternoon. I DID get to see a couple pretty views on my walks to hotel and venue that reminded me just how cool, old, and walled this city is. 😊
Well, I arrived just in time for the cut off of check in but found quite a few people still in line to get registered so no worries. I recognized a familiar face of Marilyn (one said newer friend) from the last USA shows and she introduced me to her friend Dan. Also got to see a couple fans I’d not seen for quite awhile LOL, Paul W. being one of them and we laughed at how it seems I hit Liverpool every 2.5 years (he’s from the area). LOTS of people in soundcheck, apparently sold out so 100 in total but the venue was quite big! I like venues that are wide and not as deep vs more narrow but then goes back further. This way the front row can fit a lot more people and even those in the back aren’t too far. That being said, the barriers were set back quite a bit so hand slapping from Mr. M. to fans tonight.
I had stayed away from checking out the setlist and even though that was part of the VIP package…a signed set list…I didn’t look at that either. I just love “first shows” as to ME, it’s exciting not knowing what is coming up next. Mind you, having just seen them in the states less than 2 months ago I figured it wouldn’t differ TOO much but still…
Soundcheck started with instrumental of MoO which was cool to see, then Mr. M. came out and it became a full soundcheck. But we got an AWESOME surprise! So…apparently they had been performing Red Frame/White Light in the show but it wasn’t going so well so Mr. M. said he had a bright idea of putting it into soundcheck as “the people who would really want to hear it in the first place would be people like you all *motions to crowd* who are coming to the sound check”. But funny enough Stuart was like “that was Martin’s idea. He said it on the bus”. 😀 😀 Mr. M. asked if he was ON the bus at the time as he hadn’t heard it and they said he was reading his paper so Mr. M. turned to Mr. C. and praised HIM for having the bright idea then LOL. SO cool to get to see it! 😀 Near the end I saw a guy point to a corner of the room so I looked up and there was part of Mr. C.s shadow playing the keys! 😮 I then looked further and saw Stuart’s cymbals and part of his drums that would occasionally lend to getting hit by his stick shadow. And finally, saw Mr. H. in another corner! Stuart in the sides, Mr. M. and Mr. C. in the far back corners. Way cool! (I took video so will upload that too LOL)
Since this was a standing venue, I really wanted to be up in front row and so did Marilyn so she and I went right around the corner to get a quick bit of food from the Co-Op and then back to the venue we went where her friend Dan was already there. OH, forgot to mention I saw Sue C. and hubby as we were leaving the venue so more familiar faces and then Jennifer and hubby from Canada came up to say hi tho they ended up in the balcony so no bouncing together LOL. Ed was there to make sure things ran smoothly and we were allowed in first over the other fans and Dan went to 1 of 2 prime spots which is center but off a bit so not in front of Mr. M.s mic stand LOL. Primes are either off a bit on Mr. H.s side or Mr. C.s, Dan chose the first so there we were. Not long after, Duncan came over to say hi which was nice as I hadn’t known he and Dee were coming so he and I got to catch up a bit.
Right…OK so I’m going to be honest here. Mig15…Mr. M.s son’s band. I will admit I was going in with a bit of low expectations. Mr. M. had talked about them back after the Cincinnati show last month but part of me wondered if he was bias which would be TOTALLY understandable! 😊 I thought “OK, are they really going to be good or is it connnections?” So when they came out, I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot. Didn’t think they’d be horrible or anything! But thought “hmm….” and was also determined to be fair and unbiased as I’m not one to like someone or something just because someone I admire likes them or whatever. Well, first song came on and I liked it. :O I then jokingly thought to myself “OK, most bands start with a better song. Let’s see what else is coming” but then I liked the next song too. And a few others. So…honestly…they’re pretty good in their own right. 😊 I was trying to figure out how to describe them for the blog and I can’t come up with a great description or comparison. They are in no means a synth band! Bass, guitar, drums and singer with just occasional keys piped in. At one point I thought “Editors???” but then “no, their guitars aren’t as strong and powerful.” I’ll have to report again after a couple more gigs. 😉
Well, we had an idea of the lighting from sound check and I hoped there would be the cool reflections again but nope, other lighting added in so no corner shadows LOL. But still some new designs and such which added to the excitement of first show. The intro STARTED like the older one with Please Remain Seated but then it immediately started doing other bits and bobs of songs and in the background, parts of album and singles covers flashed on the background so it was very sweet really. And then, a flashback to USA fall 2011 with them opening up with Stanlow. 😊 Right after tho, it was bouncing time as they went from old to new of Isotype. And then, of course, some fan favorites with Messages and Tesla Girls. To my ears, the crowd took a little bit to warm up but by the time Tesla Girls came on, people were singing along and Marilyn helped me with the “yes, Yes, YES” bit.
When that part was done, Mr. M. jokingly said “right, well I’ve put my bass down which means the bad playing is done. You’ve already seen the better bass player in the family. But now it’s time to dance. And you all have to join in”. Take a guess…yup, HoM1. YAY! 😀 Part way thru verse 2 tho, Mr. M. messed up the words, tried to get back, then stopped and looked back at the band who were still going. Mr. H. started chuckling when Mr. M. said “I forgot the words” so he then said “don’t laugh, you’ll forget some later” and then turned to us and said “just BOUNCE” as it truly WAS coming to the next bouncing part so hey, easy flow back in LOL. I’ve said it before, I always think it’s cute and nothing more than a show of being human when a singer forgets the words. I’ve seen all 3 of my favorite bands do it at some point or another and it’s enduring imho. 😊 But funny enough, once it was over, Mr. M. jokingly said “well, I’ll tell ya why I forgot the words. I saw a fan here who started the bouncing to that song” and pointed to me. 😮 “Lori from Chicago” and Mr. H. laughed and waved saying “Yes she’s from Chicago, Hi Lori” and Mr. M. continued by saying “she’s the one who got it going so it’s HER fault.” I laughed, waved and mouthed “I’m sorry” as I kept laughing along with my friends who were laughing too. Mr. M. then said “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” 😀 It was crazy but as soon as he said that, my mind went back to Brighton 2010. First gig of their HoM tour, I was with Alexa and didn’t know hardly ANY of the fans as I had done the past 2 years alone and had JUST got on the forum a few months prior (tried earlier but it wouldn’t accept my email address apparently). And I remember bouncing to a lot of songs, that one being one of them and Alexa joining me so I was happy to have a bouncing partner. Awww…gosh that seems SOOO long ago now!
Well, after that it was Mr. H.s turn to come forward and do FLaD which the crowd loved. When it was over and Mr. M. and Mr. H. switched spots again, Mr. M. jokingly said “I think they like your singing better than mine. Humph…well then fine, you want to sing another song then?” and Mr. H. laughed and said “sure, I’ll sing another song”. I thought it was a joke as USUALLY they follow that up with IYL or something but nope, Souvenir. OK then. 😊 And of course that was just the first of the power trio. Funny enough, during MoO, Mr. M.s shadow was cast on the one side of the backstage. I tried to get a pic but it disappeared later when the lights changed mid song. It’s still amazing and when the crowd finally stopped cheering, Mr. M. said “I haven’t danced like that here in York since I’ve just turned 60. For 40 years people have been taking the piss out of it but it’s kept me FIT!” 😀
This next bit I was excited about as Ed had said it’s special (but didn’t tell me what it as was I didn’t want spoilers). I saw them start to bring things out to front of stage and immediately thought “well…but they did OAtTWM last tour” but then saw there were 2 small keyboards at the end and single drum in the middle so knew it was going to be different. As it turned out, another flashback to Fall 2011 USA with Statues. But THEN…we got Almost! Never seen them do that one so YAY to that too! 😀 And THEN, it was yet another song I’d not seen but this time due to it being new, like WAY new LOL. Don’t Go was a really fun and bouncing song that fits right in with the other stuff so I was happy they did it! The crowd immediately sang along to the first Don’t Go so Mr. M. went with that and kept asking “LOUDER!”…and got it LOL.
Up to this point, I hadn’t recorded anything as I wanted to be able to just enjoy a lot of it since it was the first but I figured I better just grab SOME song. I tried for the next 2 but wasn’t successful as they both had some bouncing. SiL and Dreaming and it didn’t help that TPoL was after THAT. Can’t hold camera too still with fist punching “hey, Hey, HEY” 😀 So I grabbed Locomotion and it was fine because I got to get the sweet goofing around between Mr. M. and Mr. H. When it was over, Mr. M. looked at Stuart and said “Stuart, can you play this next one loud?” Stuart nodded and Mr. M. said “I mean REALLY loud?” So Stuart responded by hitting the drums forcefully as SotSS started. We got asked to sing louder again and lots of heads bopping around too.
Before we knew it, it was time for Enola Gay. Gotta say, it went FAST! 😮 But a good bouncing bit that had many others bouncing too and then the band came down for introductions. The crowd was still clapping to the beat of the song so they waited briefly, then Mr. M. introduced everyone, Mr. H. introduced Mr. M. and then they all started waving, giving each other little hugs and OMG, Mr. H. BOUNCED! The beat of EG was still going on and so he bounced to it a bit. It was SO cute! 😀 😀
It wasn’t long and they were back for the encore. I was half surprised to see them do IYL but I had heard them do a few cords in soundcheck so knew it was in there somewhere. I had talked with Ed earlier about it and honestly, can see it go either way really. It’s more an American hit BUT, this is a 40th Anniversary tour and it WAS a huge hit so… And the crowd seemed to like it albeit not with the usual American frenzy LOL but I wouldn’t expect that in the UK. Mr. M. then said “from a song FROM a movie, to a song about a movie star” and I knew we were going to hear PB which I love and don’t get to see too often in the states (though luckily last month but not usually). And then of course…the TRUE sign that it’s coming to an end in Electricity. Everyone around me was happily bouncing or bopping around and when the band came to say their final goodbyes, they seemed pleased with how things went as they should be. 😊
The usual goodbyes and safe travels with everyone afterwards, some “see you at” too as Dan will be in Manchester and I’ll see Duncan in Gateshead. Marilyn wanted to go say hello to Mig15 so I followed and originally was going to stay behind and just take her pic with them as I didn’t really know what to say to them but then the lead singer was like “want one with both of you in it?” and OMD’s old manager Simon was there to take it. Marilyn looked at me and I asked her “don’t you want one of our own?” but she said no, come on in so I did and then we just chatted with them a bit before leaving. Goodbyes and see ya tomorrows and then Duncan came around and was heading in my direction so off to our hotels we went.
So…highlight of the night. Well, it WAS quite funny about the bouncing thing. Sorry to make Mr. M. goof on his words. 😀 But also I love first shows because you just can’t get it back! After this, I’ll know what is coming unless they mix it up a bit which they HAD last night from prior shows but who knows if they will from here to Sheffield when I finish so…I’ll say it’s a tie LOL.