Washington DC-May 22, 2025

So…as you all know, the OMD tour that was supposed to have happened last fall got moved to this May-July. My goal is always to try and make sure I hit first and last gigs as part of my adventure whenever possible (there’s a special vibe and feel about those two shows, hard to explain but there is 🙂 ) and with the ORIGINAL line of gigs, I had that. Bought an expensive ticket to get second row to Seattle (first) and had a GA ticket to Ft Lauderdale (last). Well, with the change of dates came a change of city line ups and suddenly neither of those were first or last. Ft. Lauderdale was the only show that couldn’t get rescheduled and now Washington DC was first (no ticket) and NYC was last (thank goodness I had already planned on doing that one 😀 ) So….ok go buy a DC ticket right? WRONG because it was sold out! Tickets in the first three rows (something I always want for first and last gigs if possible) were $600. NOPE. Sorry, I love OMD but I’m not paying $600 for a ticket in ANY row! But I was sure prices would come down significantly as it got closer so I booked hotel and flight and kept checking…and checking…and checking to where I was looking every few hours the last 10 or so days. Prices came down but were still very steep and all the good seats were pairs. Was getting a bit nervous when finally I found a single second row ticket 2 nights before the show. Still pricey but I grabbed it as I figured get it while I could and just swallow hard on the price…you only live once eh? 😉

It was hard to leave from my house as I recently moved to a bigger home but neither myself nor my 2 cats are truly settled in yet so I knew they were stressed with me leaving, my male cat Claude especially. But 7 weeks was going to have to do tho I left feeling part sad, part guilty, and part super excited. The flight was fine except being told coming in that we were in a holding pattern and if we couldn’t land in about 25 minutes, we’d have to go to Baltimore instead. UGH! (though it was told to me later that it’s only about 40 miles away so I could have taken a cab….more money but at least I’d not miss the gig which was what I was originally freaking out about on the plane). Luckily, we made it into DC and I got to my hotel with no issues. 😀

The venue is a nice old theatre and my second row seat was on Mr. C.s side which was awesome since 3 of the 4 Australian shows I’d been on Mr. H.s side. I knew that Christine was going to be there, then reading some FB posts/comments also found out that Marilyn and Mali would be there along with Bert and Jennifer so was happy to see the first three prior to the gig (saw Bert briefly outside after). Walt Disco came out and I was expecting a different song than what they opened with before. I had seen 2 of the UK shows last spring and had been told by many that the first song was one of the best tho I only thought it was “meh”. But instead it was a slower song. In fact, as the show kept going, I didn’t really recognize ANY of the songs. Then the lead singer mentioned they got a record deal and “we’re doing all new songs tonight”. Well then…that explains it LOL. 😀 Can’t say I liked them much more than I did in the UK…maybe a bit better but still just a “meh” for me but many really enjoyed them and most of the fist 2 rows stood up when they were saying goodnight so…good for them. 😀

I MUST mention a highlight of their show tho…the elderly guy who was sitting next to Christine in the front row. Maybe 70 and just bopping around like a happy chap. It was mentioned he may have been drunk, not sure (and he DID go for more drinks between bands so who knows) but I, the girl next to me and the couple on my other side all couldn’t help but watch him and I have to say, I SURE hope I’m like that when it’s MY turn to be 70!! 😀

Hit the ladys room between bands and I’m glad I did because Kim was in there too and saw me as we were washing our hands LOL. Quick catch up since we hadn’t seen each other since 2022 and then it was time to get back to our seats. This venue was seated but I knew that we’d all be standing very early on LOL. I was wondering if we’d get the UK setlist or the Australian setlist since the UK one focused more on Bauhaus Staircase. As it turned out, it was the Australian one as I was surprised BS was dropped (oh my, maybe I shouldn’t abbreviate it LOL…but you all know what I mean 😉 ) Part way thru Evolution of Species the guys came out and that’s when most of the first 2 rows stood, some random off and on people in other rows too. Then they launched into Anthropocene and when it was done, Mr. M. looked at the crowd and said “don’t make me ask you to stand….” I looked, not many people got up so he then said “come on” and motioned to stand as he got his bass ready for Messages.  THEN people got up LOL. 😉

Stuart seemed to be having some issues in the back as I saw him making motions to the sound guy and Mr. M. looked at Mr. H. and said “are the keyboards ready Paul?” Mr. H. stated “yes, I think so” and Mr. M. said “GOOD!” and off they went into Tesla Girls. I didn’t bother with the “yes, Yes, YES” bit since Marilyn and Mali were a few seats to my left front row and Christine was a few seats to my right front row but near the end Marilyn looked at me and we did it jokingly. 😀 Mr. M. then asked Mr. H. “what’s the name of this next song Paul” and Mr. H. grinned and said “Kleptocracy” Inside joke maybe??? Once over, it was time for my fav, HoM and I got a sweet shout out for starting the bouncing again. Mr. M. then looked at me, tapped his left knee and said “let’s see if this will work now.” Lots of bouncing and yes, it DID work JUST fine! 😀  ❤️ . When we were all recovering, Mr. M. joked and said if anyone was tired, blame me. I am proud to take on anyone’s tiredness tho I doubt I’ll have to, it’s OMD, you can’t come to an OMD show without bouncing a bit 😉

It was now Mr. H.s turn to come front and center for FLaD and of course he got a great reaction. The crowd was definitely revving up and Mr. M. introduced IYL “cheers to John Hughes, Molly Ringwald, Duckie…” (awwww, DUCKIE!), the crowd went insane! The guys were all grins, it was lovely! And that just kept going because the great A&M trio got everyone clapping along and when done, I think the band was floored. NO ONE was unsatisfied by this point! 😀 The old guy that was in the front by Christine during WD was doing his think all along so when done with MoO, Mr. M. looked at him and joked saying “it’s scary looking when you’re watching it from the front row isn’t it?” Awww, bless 😀 ❤️

The lights went down and instruments were brought to the front for Veruschka. I had an awesome view of Mr. C. and his bit so I kept watching him and the couple next to me did too, the wife saying “he’s so smiley”. 😀 ❤️. When it was over, Mr. M. announced it was all hits from there and went into Don’t Go, that’s such a fun one! 😀  A lot of singing along again as with Pandora’s box and then during SiL, he shook a guys hand who then literally started to cry and hug his partner. Awww….❤️ When Dreaming was over, the crowd was SO loud that Mr. M. looked at Mr. H. and said ‘we should do that song again…TOMORROW.”  😀 The fun joking around between those 2 during Locomotion is always a fun thing and near the end, Mr. M. tried to get someone a bit back from me (couldn’t see), to smile. Not sure if he was successful LOL because when it came to pointing out all the areas of the venue, we got “and most of you down HEERE” for the front spot so… 😉

SotSS was the one song I decided to record tonight as I wanted to get a song that had a Mr. C. moment and forgot to grab SiL. I was right in front of him so figured OK, SotSS has his keyboard jam and Mr. M. coming over to give him a fist pump and I’ll grab that perfectly. Mr. M. turned and asked Stuart if he was ready, Mr. H. said “go for it” as Stuart nodded he was ready and then starting hitting his beats. Sadly, Mr. M. didn’t give the fist pump, ugh LOL. But I got the keyboard jam all the same. 😀 And then it was EG time. Things go so fast at an OMD show! 🙁 I could hear Marilyn and Mali doing the keyboard bit as a little bird like trilling (hard to explain but it’s funny and I’ve done it before too) so I happily joined in LOL. More bouncing (I had a great bouncing/dancing buddy next to me I had met that night, Jocelyn) and once done and the guys were down front,  the crowd just kept cheering and cheering plus got the “hey, hey, hey” chanting going so Mr. H. and Mr. M. started bouncing to it. When goodbyes were done, lights were off but cheering kept going. It wasn’t long before the guys came back and we all got to sway our arms up in the air for Look at You Now, then it was Secret with Mr. M. asking Mr. H. “do you want to sing this one Paul?”. I had heard someone yell SECRET earlier and I heard it again just before the song started, followed by a lot of cheers. Still makes me think of the first USA tour where they hadn’t gotten it ready and almost every night I’d hear it yelled LOL….but it’s ready for everyone NOW! 😀 Finally….yup, we were all transported back to 1978 for Electricity. Our last chance to bounce before the guys came forward again for more goodbyes and “see some of you again tomorrow night.”  Staff weren’t pushy so I had a chance to visit a little and say goodbye to everyone plus get the customary “post gig picture”.  Such a great night! 😀 ❤️

So…highlight of the night. Well, I’m not going to pick just one because there’s a few LOL.  My shout out was great🤗, seeing friends I’d not seen since last year or even worse, 2022 tour was also great😊. Being nice and close at the FIRST tour show always great and I have to add the old man in the front row. Just too much fun watching him. 😂

Tho it would have made sense to stay for night #2, I instead headed to Nashville to spend some time with my sister. My next gig isn’t until next week now in Orlando but I am looking forward to it for sure. 😀