Thirty eight years. No, not the average age of the crowd or the wait time of a Fortitude Valley taxi rank. It's how long since tonight's headliners last played in Brisbane.
In fact, it was back in 1987 at one of the suburban 'cool band' tour venues, the trusty Mansfield Tavern.OMD originators, Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, quipped during the show: "Times have changed. Back then I had 20/20 vision and more hair." Shakespeare wrote: 'No legacy is so rich as honesty is.' A perfect quote for what will be a night to remember.
A balmy, late summer evening in Brisbane perfectly sets the mood (23 February). First line fans arrive at 1pm. It's no mean feat, through the heat of the day, in the middle of a notorious 'watering' strip called the Brunswick Street Mall. By the time doors open at 7:30pm, the line feels a mile long.
Original fans and young muso adventurers rub shoulders as they slide into the welcoming A/C. The crowd makes the most of it, listening to a 20-something-year-old devil on the shoulder whisper "keep your throat wet for the show" – and with gusto and glee, they do.
Australian '90s triple j, national and international indie scenesters, Underground Lovers are welcomed onto stage at exactly 8:15pm. Tonight, they're under the guise of Underground Lovers Moda Discoteca (ULMD).
Underground Lovers - image © Chris Searles
ULMD is a parallel project focusing on electro versions of Underground Lovers tracks. Big keyboard chords joined with an up-tempo club beat, setting the scene for the show. Kicking off with 1998's 'Cold Feeling', they remind the audience that quality, not quantity, is how a band attracts respect.
'Losin' It' was dedicated to drummer and founding member Richard Andrew, who sadly passed in October 2024. The electro beats and big keys fit like a glove into the classic Underground Lovers acoustic/ funk/ indie rock. The Kraut rock-esque beats of 'I Was Right' flows neatly into a trance-inducing 'Your Eyes'.
The big, funky, house beat of 'Starsigns' flows for a long 'Brotherhood'-era New Order-esque jam to close out the set, lighting the spark for old club-heads in the crowd. Mental note: It's time to dive back into the Underground Lovers catalogue!
As stage crew swipe dust covers off and have keyboards and drum kit at ready, it's palpable that this is no 'regular' show. By the book, an entire generation has grown since Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD as preferred) last said "thank you, good night" on Australian shores.
The lucky few who saw them in '87 know it, while others who'd assumed they'd never come back can sense it. A wave of joy is washes across the room as a huge LED screen blasts colourful design and animation.
OMD have a rich appreciation of graphic design, with the likes of the great Peter Saville (look him up!) designing many of their album covers since their early Factory Records years. Visual aesthetic is vital to the atmosphere and supports the show with excellent effect.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - image © Chris Searles
The computer voice narration of 'Evolution Of Species' from 2023's 'Bauhaus Staircase' opens proceedings. It's obviously modern in production yet somehow feels like a classic from early albums. McCluskey is electric as he spins his arms at the elbows and strides around the stage, and has fun with fellow co-founder Humphreys.
It feels they're in a good place and it translates into the audience. Tracks from 'Bauhaus Staircase' dot the set and never feel out of place. The first classic, 'Messages', comes in third and gets the walls pounding.
'Tesla Girls' follows and marks the point where the full effect of OMD's pop writing come to the fore, demonstrating how an early, simple electro sound is ageless. It's an era that many new indie and electro bands visit and admit influence (Underground Lovers actually credit their career to OMD's 'Architecture & Morality' from 1981).
Humphreys swaps places with McCluskey and delivers vocals on '(Forever) Live And Die'. Each have a distinct voice and it's a moment of clarity to now realise who sung what on their albums.
It's undeniable that much of the '80s post-punk electro sound formed during this time, with Kraftwerk, OMD, New Order, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan and similar ilk pioneering the genre. Glitzy, well produced electro-pop soon emerged via the scene cousins Pet Shop Boys, Human League, Bronski Beat etcetera.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - image © Chris Searles
This new chapter saw OMD produce one of their most famous tracks, 'If You Leave', made famous via the 'Pretty In Pink' film soundtrack. The venue goes bananas as the iconic drum intro rolls across the crowd and actress Molly Ringwald appears on the back screen. Second keyboardist, Martin Cooper beautifully lands the classic sax solo on. . . a saxophone! Can it get any better?!
The crowd is treated to the middle-age era, (not age group!) moods of 'Joan Of Arc' and 'Maid Of Orleans'. We land back into today as the band forms in a line at front of stage, reminiscent of classic Kraftwerk, and gently delivers 'Veruschka'.
It's not long before the tempo is back up with 'Talking Loud And Clear', 'Secret' and 'Dreaming' among others. 'Sailing On The Seven Seas' from 1991's 'Sugar Tax' thumps its big opening. It seems to be a forgotten icon in their song vault, but is superb in its writing and live delivery.
The set closer is the furtherest from becoming a forgotten track. 'Enola Gay' is everything it should be. The Humphreys' famous opening keyboard hook, McCluskey's bassline and dance/ stride are all there. The crowd sings every word as the LED screen broadcasts an edit of the namesake plane and 'the kiss you give will never fade away' cloud.
Encore comes with cheering that pushes the local noise regulation readers. A perfect three-song summary of their career begins with 'Look At You Now' from 'Bauhaus Staircase', followed by the wonderful 'Pandora's Box' from 'Sugar Tax'.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - image © Chris Searles
The night is closed with what started it all – 1978's 'Electricity' (originally written by McCluskey in his first band, The Id). Proudly introduced as "the oldest and fastest song we've got", 'Electricity' is one of the steadfast influencer tracks of its era. Its simplicity, writing and production make it en eternal ear worm.
With that, the last show of their Australian tour is over and they promise to be back in two years. OMD are evidence that a touring '80s hitmaker doesn't require the audience to endure an aging singer pretend to enjoy performing a cover version their own song.
OMD are true and honest to themselves, and their fans. That means the world for those who've witnessed their 2025 Australian tour. Who else could sing about the invention of electricity and an atomic bomb, and still leave us feeling we've been warmly hugged by our best friend? Don't miss getting hugged in two years time.
More photos from the concert.
