Depeche Mode at The O2
Depeche Mode – The O2 – 20 February 2010
Words by Warren Zanin / Photos by Marcus Maschwitz
Depeche Mode drew yet another sold out show in their fourth London performance as part of their Tour of the Universe, following the release of the band’s latest studio album Sounds of the Universe. The expansive tour covers 32 countries on three continents with 101 shows performed by the end of the tour, which is set to draw to a sad conclusion on 27th February in Germany, a country the band returned to seven times during the tour. If anything, the sheer size of the tour is testimony to the universal phenomenon that is Depeche Mode; a band with a career spanning over three decades, arguably synonymous with the 80s and possibly one of the most covered bands of all time across nearly every musical genre.
The crowd impatiently endured the less than captivating opening performance from fellow Mute act Nitzer Ebb, but then again Depeche Mode is something of an unfair comparison. The stage set up paid tribute to the grandiosity of the band, boasting some impressive cosmetics, with a huge backing screen, moving lighting rigs and a floating ball that would display unique and interesting content for every song. The show was attended by such a wide variety of fans: a crowd so diverse yet unified in their passion for the iconic and influential 80s act. Black leather clad homos to the left; sweaty beer guzzling truckers at the front; pin-striped, bow-tied corporates in their premium boxes; Nip-Tuck type; love children; and footy bruisers all bellowing out every word that they can remember.
Crowds were met by a triad of songs from 2009’s Sounds of the Universe, followed by an expansive setlist totalling 20 songs spanning the band’s illustrious musical career. While their latest tracks were enjoyed and sung by many it was the older songs that got the best response from the crowd. Depeche Mode classics like Walking in My Shoes, Policy of Truth and Enjoy the Silence were all welcomed by a deafening echo from the swooning crowd. An undoubted highlight was the performance of Freelove, sung by Martin Gore, which left fans wishing the song would never end – every mouth sang along creating an anthem that would shame any football crowd as it made the hairs on every arm stand on end.
The four song encore drew to a phenomenal close with the group’s best known piece, Personal Jesus, leaving tears in many eyes and putting countless vocal cords out of order for the next day or so. As the band left the stage for the second time, virtually every soul hung around desperately hoping for the second encore that some performances during the tour have enjoyed. As the house lights came up and disappointment that the show had ended started to set in, the crowd left knowing that despite frequent visits from one of the most influential bands of all time they had all witnessed a momentous and truly special gig.
Setlist: In Chains, Wrong, Hole To Feed, Walking In My Shoes, It’s No Good, A Question Of Time, Precious, World In My Eyes, Freelove, Home, Miles Away / The Truth Is, Policy Of Truth, In Your Room, I Feel You, Enjoy The Silence, Never Let Me Down Again, A Question Of Lust, Stripped, Behind The Wheel, Personal Jesus
NOTE: depechemodelive.com are selling live CD’s and digital downloads from all Depeche Mode shows, including the Royal Albert Hall Teenage Cancer Trust (all proceeds going to TCT) a week before this show, featuring surprise special guest, Alan Wilder
February 2nd, 2010
100% agreed and I couldn’t have said it better myself. I feel so fortunate for being a part of this nostalgic night. Amazing. One for the books.
March 1st, 2010
words cannot describe how sad I am that I missed this show, why do holidays always overlap with the best shows, I am dunce for booking a holiday while these guys were on tour.
March 2nd, 2010
Liking the crowd shot Marcus.