A Concert "Souvenir": Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “History of Modern” 2012 Manila Tour



OMD: Paul Humphreys & Andy McCluskey
As a kid listening to new wave songs on his formative years, it will be a dream come true to watch one of the biggest bands in the 80’s: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Watching them live will be an instant magical nostalgia,  going back to my happy childhood days discovering good music.

As early as 6 years old in 1986, I was already been exposed to new wave music courtesy of my older brother and sister. I remember that one of my earliest favourite new wave songs were “Enola Gay” and “Secret”. “Enola Gay” has this swirling electro pop build up that could dance your day away. While “Secret” has this sad lush singing with an upbeat tempo plus a memorable high pitched chorus that will lead you to a last song syndrome. I always had our OMD records played on our cassette stereo or have it requested to a local DJ of a mobile disco outfit from someone's 18th birthday debut street party. I also tuned in to the legendary 89 DMZ on Sundays to listen to OMD songs and other new wave hits.

OMD has a very wide selection of songs and you will think twice if they were the ones who sang them.  And who would forget the smash hit sad love song “If You Leave” from the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack?  It was also one of my favourite Karaoke songs when I want to belt out 80's stuffs.  Notable singles from the band and famous radio hits were “So In Love”, “Forever Live and Die”, “Dreaming”, and “Tesla Girls.” But the best single that I ever heard from OMD was “Souvenir,” which is their biggest hit to date. That song made me think if they had a female band member. It was the best dream pop song I had ever heard. It was melancholic but at the same time it has this very melodic tune that will send chills to your spines. 

When I was already working, I frequently search on them on the web, checking if they are still intact and touring, also checking for their new album. I had checked that they are still active and had a grand tour around Europe last 2008, so I was hoping to see them in Manila one day.  Then on December 2011, I was checking some websites for up and coming gigs in the Asian region and I was shocked to see OMD as part of some music festival in Singapore. I had to double check the article and the poster to make it sure that it is indeed OMD and not any classical orchestral group.  And OMD it is! From then on I was expecting that some local production will bring them here in Manila and I was indeed right!

But I was quite sad that most of our vinyl collections were already been gone because the inlays were soaked and destroyed by the floods due to typhoon Ondoy. Some of the recovered vinyls went to dust when touched. But I was able to save some OMD cassette tapes and hopefully have the band signed them.

Well, I am very super excited that the classic line up of Andy McCluskey (bass/vocals), Paul Humphreys (keyboards), Malcolm Holmes (drums) and Martin Cooper (saxophone) will be coming here in Manila to promote their latest album “History of Modern”. I believe it will be a once in a life time event for Filipino fans to see them live, which we can list this event in the “History” books of great concerts in the Philippines.

I know this event will be a sort of high school and college reunions for many kids who grew up from the 80's or a grade school reunion for me and some childhood friends. I expect that this will be an awesome concert for every one and I hope I am one of the lucky ones to see them live or meet them personally to relive my good old memories.

You can also check the details of the concert from Philippine Concerts:

OMD (http://www.philippineconcerts.com/foreign/omd-live-in-manila-2012/)

OMD Live in Manila




Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “History of Modern” Manila 2012 Tour is presented by Shadow.Inc Entertainment. It is also presented in association with Happy Box, Sticky Rice Media Agency and iCreate Entertainment Solutions. The concert will be at Smart Araneta Coliseum, March 12, 2012, Monday. 8PM.


Ticket Details:
Patron A: P4770/ Patron B: P4240
Lower Box: P3180
Upper Box A: P2120/ Upper Box B: 1060.
Tickets available at www.ticketnet.com.ph

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Concert Recall: Lotus Eaters Live in Manila

Image
Concert Recall: Lotus Eaters Live in Manila August 3, 2002 Rockwell Club Tent. The Lotus Eaters: Jeremy Kelly and Peter Coyle / Early Years I was trying to recall all the concerts I have attended for the last few years. Being gulity on not attending the following concerts here in Manila: Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Cranberries, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth and Foo Fighters, I need to start my blood thirst concert viewing ASAP! One of those memorable concerts that I attended to was the concert of the 80's new wave band: The Lotus Eaters. This would be my first foreign artist concert I watched here in Manila and the first new wave band I saw live in the Philippine shores. I was aware of the band since the late 80's because of their songs were played on cassette tapes and vinyl by my elder brother and sister. Their songs were also in heavy rotation on the radio station 89 DMZ. There were only 3 Lotus Eaters song I knew of: "The First Picture of You",...
Read more

Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 7!!!

Image
Boys and girls, the Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 7 is on the roll right now and already started the celebration last October 11 at Cagayan De Oro. But for those who are in Iloilo tonight, Tanduay Rhum Rockfest will be bringing the following OPM artist to rock the night away: Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, Wolfgang, Gloc 9, Chicosci, 6cyclemind, The Dawn, Kitchie Nadal, Ebe Dancel! And to end the festivities this year, Tanduay has saved the best for last on October 25 at the SM MOA Grounds with the following artists: Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, Wolfgang, Gloc 9, Color it Red, Ebe Dancel, True Faith, The Youth, Chicosci, Sandwich, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almabis, Alamid, Abra, Session Road, General Luna, Frank Magalona, Hilera, The Dawn, Franco, Up Dharma Down, Siakol, 6cyclemind. Headlined by OPM greats and mainstays Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, and Wolfgang, this a...
Read more

Deftones - To Have and to Hold

Image
It is destined to be... ...Like Nostradamus foreseeing the future of rock concert scene in Singapore and Manila!  After seeing their tour list on their website last October that Deftones will have an Australian tour and Perth is the last city in February 2011, it was strategically correct that there is a big chance that they are going to push for an Asian tour. I posted on twitter and FB that “I smell Deftones live in Manila in February 2011!” I have suggested the possibility of bringing Deftones here in Manila to few organizers and one of them answered my prayers: Splintr.com, the same group who bravely brought the 90’s Premiere Industrial Rock Band Nine Inch Nails here in Manila. Bringing Deftones to Manila is the biggest follow up concert indeed from NIN.  And LAMC Productions will also bring Deftones in Singapore on February 16, 2011. I imagine this event as a gigantic fire cracker from the recent Chinese New Year to hit Singapore!!! (Re...
Read more