OMD w/ WALT DISCO
@ HISTORY, TORONTO
JULY 4, 2025
The crowd at History on Queen Street East last night was a sea of silver-streaked synth-pop devotees who came to greet legendary English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, otherwise known as OMD.
Opening the show on this beautiful summer evening was Walt Disco. Singer James Potter led the charge in operatic splendor, every note a gesture, every gesture a declaration. They moved with the poise of a Shakespearean ghost, their voice trembled and soared like David Bowie. It didn’t just hit the back wall of the venue, it lingered and refused to leave. For how big History is, they made it feel intimate, they were locked in but never robotic.
OMD’s Andy McClusky and Paul Humphreys—flanked by the tight backing band of Martin Cooper and Stuart Kershaw were immediately in fine form from the first note, effortlessly blending their blueprint-era energy with songs from Bauhaus Staircase. “Anthropocene” edged in with moody intent before the classic “Messages” and Tesla Girls” lit up the room. The mix of old and new wasn’t just deliberate it was seamless.
Looking around the room you see the crowd was energized, bringing out all the old dance moves reserved for special occasions. That energy radiated through every riff, gesture and pulse. McClusky led the crown from the stage—arms flung open wide, heart on his sleeve.
The setlist was a tribute to OMD’s large body of work. Newer songs such as “Kleptocracy” and “Veruschka” felt urgent and vital, while “If You Leave”, “So in Love”, and “Locomotion” flooded the venue with sentimental waves. And yes—in the back of their minds everybody was waiting for it— “Enola Gay”, their signature anti-war anthem, arrived at the perfect time and to dramatic effect. It was surreal and brought the show to its climax.
The band closed with a triple threat of encores which included “Look At You Now”, “Secret”, and “Electricity.” When McClusky jumped into “Electricity”, the venue shook—lights pulsed in time with the beats, the floor reverberated, and the night ended not just with a bang, but an entire surge.
Throughout the night McClusky’s voice held strong across decades of material and Humphreys keys were warm and nuanced. This wasn’t a nostalgia trap, it was confirmation of relevance. OMD are alive in the moment: they honour their heritage and push it forward. The packed exuberant crowd validated exactly that—arms aloft, feet dancing, voices heard.
(Photography by Jacob Vandergeer)
OMD Photos
Walt Disco Photos
OMD Links
Walt Disco Links
