I've been listening to ORB since 2000. Not as long as some, but still quite a chunk of time. I saw them in 2006 at the 9:30 Club and it was a letdown, to be honest. It was awesome finally seeing ORB but I felt that the show they put on left a lot to be desired. They almost came back in 2009, but the tour got cancelled. So when I heard they were finally making their way back to Washington DC I knew I had to be there.
I had never been to the Howard Theater before, so I splurged on valet parking and ended up getting a spot literally right in front of the theater. Pretty awesome so far but it gets better. As I was waiting for my keys from the attendant, Thomas Fehlmann from ORB came outside to smoke and struck up a conversation based on my old faded ORB shirt from 2005. I was talking to one of my idols, albeit nervously and awkwardly. Needless to say that made my night (up to that point).
The show itself was everything I could have hoped for and more. Being a 25th Anniversary tour, almost all of the songs they played were from their early to mid 90's period, which happens to be my favorite ORB era. There were no slow moments in the set. Alex and Thomas moved fluidly from song to song for two hours, mixing in personal favorites such as Slug Dub, Plateau, Toxygene, and Towers of Dub.
What else can I say? Orb did NOT disappoint. Unfortunately, I have to take each chance to see them as a blessing because its anybody's guess as to when they will return. I am supremely happy I was able to see them tear it up proper ORB style once in my life. And to be in a room filled with people who are also fans of this obscure and weird music, to hear and experience the concert together, is an experience that is pretty much priceless.