Live Review

Depeche mode – O2 Arena, london

• 16th Dec 2009

It has been a long time coming, and the wait has been almost excruciating. Having been away for a few years after their rather gritty but impressive “Playing the Angel” album, Depeche Mode returned this year with what could easily be one of their best albums – ever. It certainly recalls a lot about the band when they were riding high in the early 90’s.

‘Sounds of the Universe’ was indeed an impressive album, and was supposed to be followed immediately by tour dates which back in May were cancelled. As much as we want the band to be as fit as possible for the stage, it was a blow to fans as they had already sat in anticipation for the album and the shows for a good 6 months. Another half a year has passed us by and the first London show has finally come around and here we find out that the wait has totally been worth it.

Depeche Mode are not a band that ever have to worry about losing a fan base, or ever playing at smaller venues out of necessity. They take to the stage with their backing musicians to lend support to a rousing roar from the crowd (Who all seem to be here to record the show on their phones rather than actually participate in the show. Still they will have all those fond memories of going to gigs and…er… holding their phones????).

They open with the first two tracks form the new album In Chains and then Wrong. Dave Gahan doesn’t waste time in shuffling his feet about and swinging his arms, twirling with his microphone for the fan appreciation. Martin L Gore gets funky when he can and routinely exchanges guitar for keyboard. Everyone else is trapped behind an instrument so can only point of clap when the pauses allow it.

The visual display behind the band is also impressive. A giant screen with an orb shape protruding from it that highlights some of the visuals used. Each track has a specific visual going on, sometimes involving footage that the band have filmed, sometimes with a music video design to it, and often utilising and distorting what the cameras are currently filming.

Surprisingly the new album is barley touched on from the opening. There is the odd random track, but they seem more intent on pursuing past glories here from their highlight albums Violator (World In My Eyes, Policy Of Truth, Enjoy The Silence and Personal Jesus in the Encore) and Songs of Faith and Devotion (Walking In My Shoes, I Feel You and In Your Room). Playing the Angel gets a look in with Precious and there are a couple of numbers from ultra also played.

At the mid point most of the band leaves the stage for Gore to take on lead vocals for a couple of songs to bring us all down to Earth a bit. Once done they remainder of the band return to kick it all back in again right up through to a very satisfying Enjoy the silence followed by a Never Let me Down which is a common track for them to end on.

The inevitable Encore happens – again with Gore playing another solo soft wonder that is followed by Behind the Wheel, Personal Jesus and finally let the crowd off with Stripped. A very strong and powerful performance that warrants return viewings.

They are and have been an impressive band since their inception back almost 30 years ago now. They have taken on many guises and have managed to change with the times with very few faults in their work along the way. Fitting in every hit they ever had along with fan favourites would require them to stay here all day and all night. But for a two hour show they managed to squeeze in enough to keep most of the avid fans very happy in what was a fast, visceral and energetic display of musical prowess.