It was Sunday June 15 2025 when I headed down to Oakland California for a re-scheduled event from last September at the Fox Theater. The event of the night was OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark) with opener Walt Disco, a sold out show, and they killed it.
Walt Disco was the first band to perform, hailing from Scotland. They rocked their set with a fun and energetic vibe, captivating the crowd with melodic harmonies and a tone that set the perfect mood. They kicked things off with “To the Moon”, which immediately excited the audience.
The next song was “My Body Knows When To Run”, featuring a driving beat that they performed with skill and a clear passion. Following that, they played “Drag Queen” and “I Won’t Forget You”, which had similar styles.
Next up was “Coup de Foudre”, a track with delightful tones and a rhythmic lyrical quality that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed. They then transitioned to the upbeat “Don’t Do This Alone”, which the audience appreciated.
To wrap up their performance, they dedicated the final song, “My Body’s Still Mine”, to Brian Wilson, and the crowd erupted with excitement. This band is certainly one to keep an eye on, as they won’t be opening for long; they’ll soon be headlining their own shows!
Follow Walt Disco band members on social media
James Potter – guitar, vocals
Luis Carmichael – guitar
Finley McCarthy – guitar
Charlie Lock – bass
David Morgan – keyboards
Jack Martin – drums
Setlist
1). To the Moon
2). My Body Knows When To Run
3). Drag Queen
4). I Won’t Forget You
5). Coup de Foudre
6). Don’t Do This Alone
7). My Body’s Still Mine (Dedicated to Brian Wilson)
When OMD hit the stage, the crowd erupted with excitement as a recorded intro set the pace for the evening. The first song was “Anthropocene”, and it packed a punch. The driving drumbeat and clapping energized the audience, setting the tone for the night. Following that was “Messages”, which ignited the crowd into a frenzy of applause right from the start. The audience was fully engaged, and the band could sense the energy in the room. This was shaping up to be an incredible show.
Next up was “Tesla Girls”. Although the lead singer jokingly referenced Elon Musk, it only fueled the crowd’s enthusiasm, prompting them to sing along with fervor. The atmosphere was electric. After that, “Kleptocracy” began with a keyboard reboot, and once the song kicked in, it rolled on without a hitch. Andy’s vocals shone brightly during this track, showcasing his talent and resonating with the crowd.
The band proceeded with “History of Modern (Part 1)”, which they delivered flawlessly. Then they transitioned into their biggest hit, “(Forever) Live and Die”, led by Paul’s impressive performance—he truly nailed it with this fabulous song. Following that was “If You Leave”, a track from *Pretty in Pink*. If “(Forever) Live and Die” was their biggest hit, this one was a close second, enhanced by scenes from the movie playing in the background, instantly transporting us back to the ’80s. It was unexpected but fantastic to have these classics in the middle of the set.
Next came “Souvenir”, a mellow tune that served as a perfect pause to slow down the crowd after the two higher-energy songs. This was followed by “Joan of Arc” and “Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)”, two epic tracks that complemented each other beautifully. Following these was “Veruschka”, and then “Don’t Go”, which had everyone singing along in unison—it was a wonderful experience to hear 3,000 voices together.
The next two songs were “Pandora’s Box” and “So In Love”, both of which were excellent. Up next were “Dreaming” and “Locomotion”, songs that encouraged the crowd to dance and sing along. “Sailing on the Seven Seas” followed, and its tempo and beat resonated wonderfully with the audience.
Then came “Enola Gay”, which was performed alongside footage of the plane’s flight, creating a memorable experience. After a brief break, the band returned to the stage for a few more songs. First up was “Look At You Now”, a heartfelt tune that highlighted the lead singer’s vocals. The following song, “Secret”, was a crowd favorite, marked by an enthusiastic response. It was noted that this song was their biggest hit despite never being officially recorded—it certainly left an impact that evening.
Finally, they closed the show with “Electricity”. a track from 1976 that perfectly captured the overall energy of the night. One word summed up the show: it was electric. I can’t wait to dig out my old OMD albums and give them a thorough listen after experiencing such an incredible performance!
Follow OMD band members on social media
Andy McCuskey -bass, vocals, keyboards
Paul Humphreys – keyboards, vocals
Martin Cooper – keyboards, saxophone
Stuart Kershaw – drums
Setlist
1). Anthropocene
2). Messages
3). Tesla Girls
4). Kleptocracy
5). History of Modern (Part 1)
6). (Forever) Live and Die
7). If You Leave
8). Souvenir
9). Joan of Arc
10). Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
11). Veruschka
12). Don’t Go
13). Pandora’s Box
14). So in Love
15). Dreaming
16). Locomotion
17). Sailing on the Seven Seas
18). Enola Gay
Encore
19). Look at You Now
20). Secret
21). Electricity
Follow Walt Disco on social media
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