I saw Depeche Mode's '101' documentary at a friend's house a number of years ago. It would have been late on a Friday night and we had probably been out for food before going back to his with some of my other friends. The film, which was revolutionary at the time, follows a bunch of fans who had won a competition to see the band. It has live performances from the band's US tour but mainly it focuses on the fans travelling to the shows. We missed the first fifteen minutes where it explains this and introduces the characters so we spent the rest of the night wondering what was going on, who these people are and where Depeche Mode were? Whenever I think of Depeche Mode, my mind always goes back to that confusing night.
Nadine Shah opens up tonight but we miss the majority of her set. However, for the song and a half we see, she sounds pretty impressive.
Depcche Mode enter the stage to layers and layers of modulating synths, which have the same effect as an electronic Sunn0))) and really builds the anticipation. They open with new song 'My Cosmos Is Mine' which has a Youth (Killing Joke) style bassline and sounds like mid-90s Killing Joke. An impressive start. 'Walking In My Shoes' is darkly powerful and the crowd receive it ecstatically. A mesmerising 'It's No Good' is bizarrely accompanied by images of donkeys! 'In Your Room' initially slows the pace down before crashing in with a loud, dynamic chorus. 'Everything Counts' is glorious and Dave Gahan and Martin Gore look like they're having an absolute blast. At this point, the bangers seemingly never stop as 'Precious' follows. Dave's rich voice still has the power to resonate throughout arenas. However, it is also apparent that he can't really reach the higher notes anymore and he therefore controls how he sings some of the songs. Martin, on the other hand, sounds as good as ever, as he demonstrates on his solo spot singing 'Strangelove'and 'Somebody' accompanied by just a piano. New track 'Ghosts Again' sounds like classic 80s Depeche Mode. The industrial stomp of 'I Feel You' is insistent whilst 'A Pain That I'm Used To' gets incredibly heavy during the climax. The symphonic electronica of 'Black Celebration' is incredible whilst 'John The Revelator' has more than a hint of Duran Duran but is still excellent. The pure electronic pop perfection of 'Enjoy The Silence' closes the regular set in epic fashion. Encore 'Waiting For The Night' sees Dave and Martin duetting together and this highlights that together they are more than the sum of their parts. It is delicate and emotional, even though the big screen seems to playing up a little. 'Just Can't Get Enough' starts a huge party through the entire arena. 'Personal Jesus' closes the show and its industrial rockabilly is crushing. Absolutely fantastic.
Depeche Mode *****
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