LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, HOLLYWOOD BOWL, LOS ANGELES, 16 OCTOBER 2017

Because it's my blog and I can do what I want (and because I'm keen to get the LA reviews out to you lovely people), Kristin's Night 1 reviewed is follwed here by Lluvia Arras' review of Night 3 at the Bowl on 16th October. This wonderful review is full of the things I wanted to try and get across in this project - basically, it sums up the sheer joy of seeing Depeche Mode. Thanks so much to Lluvia for this and for the videos and photographs that accompany it. It's a marvellous read and I know you'll all love it.

The Lowest Lows, The Highest Highs: a Depeche Mode Story

I can’t start this review of the Hollywood Bowl night #3 show without first detailing the rollercoaster of events that occurred on this day. At 4AM, I was abruptly awoken by my husband, Alex, the panic in his voice causing me to shoot out of bed like a lightning bolt. “Love, someone stole my work van!” My husband works in commercial plumbing, which means his company vehicle contains expensive equipment, tools of his trade, many of which are from his personal collection — expensive stuff. After settling my shaking hands, I asked a stream of questions and attempted to calm him down, before breaking into tears myself at the terrible feeling of being violated and then having him calm me down. When finally the police report was completed and we had our coffee in hand, I had one more thought: Depeche Mode. 

I could see the anger and disappointment in my husband’s eyes, so I felt selfish asking him but I had to. “Love, are you still okay to go to the Depeche Mode concert with me tonight?” After all of his heartache, I was still concerned about a concert. What a jerk! But, DM fans reading this, I know you understand. 

I had recently read Linda Dorland’s review of the Nashville Depeche Mode show and was both floored and inspired. Although I’d agreed to do this review months ago, I felt terribly nervous and unworthy. Her review was so genuine, so real. Minutes after reading her piece, I decided to give in and upgrade our seats for floor seats, because how could I possibly do a review from nosebleeds after reading such a badass review?

Alex replied slowly. “I can’t. I’ll ruin the show for you. I won’t have fun. I’ll be a wet mop. Just go without me. I feel like shit.” 

I felt my world shatter. He’s my partner, my soul, my everything. But how could I blame him? His very livelihood had just been stolen from him, from our very front yard! Yes, everything is insured and will be recuperated, but the feeling of someone stealing from your home is sickening. I was so angry at the scumbags who did this and hurt that Alex didn’t feel up to it, but I understood. 

My best friend and Depeche Mode partner in crime, Kristina, had just given birth to twin boys a few days prior. My DM sister and #1 DM Takeoveree Jenna was on the East Coast. There was only one other person I could think of — Tanya, another Depeche sister, we’ve seen DM together since the Exciter tour — but she has a 7-month-old daughter and her husband had just broken his arm a week prior, so she has her hands full. A storm of self-doubt engulfed me. How selfish was I to be asking a new mom to join me to a concert on a Monday night? I’m a mother myself, and my boys have sports practices and tutoring on Mondays, which we’d cancelled in preparation for the show. I began to wonder if my Depeche Mode obsession had gone too far and considered selling these once-in-a-lifetime tickets.

As all of these thoughts started drowning me and weighing me down, I was listening to a Depeche Mode Spirit Tour setlist on Spotify. When the playlist had ended, The Sun & The Rainfall — my favorite DM song of all time — came on. I felt a sense of calm, a sense of purpose. In a flurry of texts, I told Tanya the whole story and asked if she’d be my date. I could see the three dots bubbling as she was typing, then finally her reply came: “I’d be honored, Lluvia! OMG! Of course! We’ll find a sitter. Thank you for thinking of me!” I haven’t cried happy tears like that in quite some time. My 4-year-old son asked, “Mommy, why are you laughing and crying hard?” “I’m happy, is all,” I told him, through snorts and snot. I sent Tanya a teary video, thanking her and got ready for work (dressed in black, of course).

I still felt heartache for my husband, but I also felt happiness to have such loving friends. I felt love for my Depeche Mode family and a mad rush of excitement and anticipation to see our boys on stage. So, my review begins…

Depeche Mode, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, Night 3, October 16, 2017

Sometimes the stars and planets align to make things just right. Tanya and I parked easily at the Hollywood Bowl lot. No hassle, no fuss — a feat in itself. The crowd on this gorgeous Los Angeles Monday night consisted of teenagers to 60-somethings and every age in between. But what they all had in common — beside being dressed in the requisite black — was they were all excited to be there. 

I couldn’t quite remember exactly how close my upgraded seats would be, or if there was a pit in front of our seats. I’d had nosebleed seats for the previous Saturday Hollywood Bowl show and couldn’t quite see the front area set-up, so you can imagine our disbelief when we were escorted to the very middle of stage 7th row — no pit of people standing in front of us, just a mere six rows. We caught the tail end of Warpaint’s set, hearing “New Song” and “Disco//very,” and my hands were shaking at the fact that in just a few minutes we were going to see Depeche Fucking Mode so close up! I asked Tanya to pinch me. 

As a Los Angeles native, I’ve been to the Hollywood Bowl many times for other shows. The iconic shell-shaped stage has been the backdrop of some of my favorite artists but never for Depeche Mode, my favorite band of all time. As we waited for DM to come on stage, I tried taking video of the stage, but we were too close for the whole view to fit on the screen. I felt my heart beat faster, my hands were shaking and we took a picture of our exclusive stamped hands as proof that we were this close! As soon as the Beatles’ Revolution blared on the speakers, we were on our feet screaming, whistling, and clapping, arms outstretched – a rally call for our boys to hurry, to bless us with their presence.

The whole concert was epic, but I want to focus on the moments that really stood out to me. First, It’s No Good. I wasn’t expecting them to play it, and it’s one of the songs on my “if Depeche Mode plays this song I’ll die right there” list. As fellow Takeoveree June Tan put it when she posted the video of this song: “The moment 17,000-ish people (me included) collectively lost their minds.” I started recording the song but had to stop to savor the moment, scream my head off, and sing every lyric — because I’m that fan. 

Dave Gahan’s confident strut and his outstretched arms as he began belting out our sweet It’s No Good was divine. I was laughing-smiling-dancing-singing-almost-crying — all in a moment. Tanya and I sung to each other and to Dave and to the fans around us. It was beautiful. I captured snippets of it on my phone, but missing a single moment was too much to bare.

Lluvia gets photographic

There was a point between songs when Dave stopped for a moment and said, “Los Angeles, you are the best.” The roar of my fellow Angelenos could be felt under our feet. It was as if we were hearing what every child wants to hear a parent say: “You’re my favorite.” I don’t know if he says that to every city (I didn’t hear him say it at the Vegas or Berlin shows earlier this year), but it felt genuine and I felt a rush of emotion. My lips swelled and my chest hurt, then as I looked to the upper left side of the stage, my eyes welled with tears as I spotted the U.S. and California flags. Our country and the world have been through so much this past year… 

My first DM show this tour was the June 22 show at the Berlin Olympic Stadium and, I’ll admit, I didn’t yet know all the words to the songs on the Spirit album. But on this Los Angeles night almost four months later, the songs were a part of me. Cover Me is etched in my soul as my favorite song on the album. I’d like to bow down to the brilliant Anton Corbijn for always delivering with his stunning art direction on videos, logos, graphics, stage design, photography and pretty much everything visual. During the projection for Cover Me, a spacesuited Dave looked so beautiful and sad that all I wanted to do was hold him. (Then again, when do I not want to hold him?) The combination of the visual and audio experience of Cover Me enveloped me in so much love for Dave, Martin, Andy, Peter, Christian, that starman David Bowie, and for my husband, as Dave sang:

“Way up here with the Northern lights

Beyond you and me

I dreamt of us in another life

One we've never reached

You know we're sinking

We could fade away

I'm not going down

Not today”

I sent a mental thought to Alex: This song reminds me of us and all we’ve been through in 14 years together.

When he and I had seen Depeche perform in Las Vegas on September 30th, we’d held hands so tight during the whole song. We had stayed at the Mandalay Bay and left just a few hours before the horrific shooting there. The day after that horrific event, this song lingered in my mind, taking on new meaning. We’ve got so much to do here still, I thought. We’ve got too much to live for. 

As if that hurricane of emotion weren’t enough, the instrumental during this song is when Dave came out into the crowd on a long concrete wall. Just a few feet behind us, he stopped and proceeded to sway so lovingly. Our jaws dropped. As I tried to keep from fainting, I managed to capture this moment on video. It felt so close, so far, so everything. Even after Dave had passed through the crowd, his presence lingered. I’m happy I caught the fans behind us and their look of amazement. “No way! Dude! That was incredible! He was right here!” The joy in all of our hearts was palpable. It was pure elation.

And then the concert segued into an unexpected performance by Martin: an acoustic of Insight with Peter Gordeno on piano and backup vocals. It still gives me goosebumps when I watch the performance on my phone, which I captured for your viewing pleasure. The lyrics to this song in themselves are enough to make you break down, but to see and experience Martin perform it live filled my heart to near bursting. When Martin lingered on “You’ve gotta give love, you’ve gotta give love, you’ve gotta give love…” I felt his message. In this world, in the state our world is in, what greater thing is there than to GIVE LOVE? Martin and Peter sang this part of the chorus with such loving force and intensity, coaxing us to be better, to love hard, to be love. (The performance was so good, there’s even a video trending of Ricky Martin in full rapture singing this part of the song, loud and clear! 

What amazes me about Depeche Mode is their longevity, their relevance, their guts. What grit it must take to keep doing this. We take so much, we demand so much of them. But they keep delivering every single time. I believe their concerts are like a drug. Devotees know what I mean when I describe it this way. After the show, my head was reeling with the adrenaline and the rush of it all. The day after, I awoke to a text from Tanya: “I’m still in the clouds.” Sure, our boys are just humans, like you and I. But what is it that keeps them going? Is it us? Our love? Our need for them to deliver? 

They know we’ll always be here. Always.

Some quick observations:

Wrong: Dave’s skipping, crawling and spider-like moves are the right amount of theater and drama for a night like this.

Everything Counts: the crowd vibe was electric.

Stripped: the intro that kills every time. EVERY time.

Never Let Me Down Again: HANDS! Need I say more?

Shake the Disease was another of Martin’s beautiful surprises for us that evening. My videos are patchy, I wasn’t sure if I should record it or just let it envelop me. My best friend & soul sister, Kristina, she couldn’t be here, it’s my first tour ever seeing them without her. Shake the Disease is her favorite song, it’s THE song, she wanted to hear live. I thought of her and held her and her newborn baby twins in my soul that evening, just wishing she could be there to witness this moment. There were moments during the song where I wanted to close my eyes and sing along, but I dared not miss a second.

Walking in My Shoes: my favorite video graphics

Replacing the David Bowie “Heroes” cover with Black Celebration was a pleasant change, particularly since this was my fourth time seeing them this tour. (No offense to my beloved Bowie.) Side note: I’d given my original tickets to a devotee, Abraham, whose “if they play this song I’ll die right there song” was “Black Celebration. It’s as if they played it just for him.

I Feel You: The intensity of the drums on the setlist’s most hard-rocking song was so intense that Christian Eigner’s drumming had us feeling our hearts beating out of our bodies. I was transformed to the first time I really listened to the drumwork of John Bonham of Led Zeppelin as a teenager on my Walkman. The drums, the drums, the drums on Immigrant Song made my heart beat so fast, just as it did at the Bowl. At one point, Tanya placed her hand on my chest and I said, “I know, I know, my heart!” she couldn’t hear me, we laughed, we were in a trance.

I’ll end with this: I’m satisfied. I’m placated. I’m in awe. I’m in love. This show was enough to fill me for years. Thank you, Depeche Mode. Thank you, Martin Gore, David Gahan, Andy Fletcher, Peter Gordeno, Christian Eigner. Thank you to my husband for always supporting my DM-related adventures and obsessions. Thank you to dear friend & DM sister Tanya for sharing this special evening with me. I felt like I’d died and gone to Depeche Mode heaven.

Video of DM bowing at the end of the show:

Pic of me and Tanya at the end of the show with Dave still on stage:

Tanya (left) and Lluvia 

Pic of me on Dave’s stage after the show:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superb! Thanks Lluvia.

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, HOLLYWOOD BOWL, LOS ANGELES, 12 OCTOBER 2017

In the first of five Hollywood Bowl specials ("Five you say? There were only four gigs....") we welcome Kristin Vogel-Campbell to review duties with her recap on Night 1 on October 12th. Kristin has written a wonderful review that genuinely makes you feel like you're there at the gig as you read it. The Hollywood Bowl shows were all special and this review is a superb way to start off the feature on those gigs. All pictures unless otherwise credited are Kristin's too so no thievery. Finally, Kristin, me and my mate John started singing "the graph...the graph" at the Olympic Stadium gig in London too. We were also met with bemused looks. Glad to see you are a kindred..ahem..Spirit.

Hello! It’s my absolute pleasure to write the review for night one of the historic four show run at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. From Richard Blade championing them on the airwaves of KROQ, to the ‘101’ Rose Bowl concert, the Wherehouse “riot” in 1990, to Dave’s temporary residence in LA during a period of reimagination and almost complete self-destruction, and Martin’s residence in Santa Barbara for almost twenty years, it is evident California loves Depeche Mode, and Depeche Mode have certainly returned the love in many different ways.

A little about myself: I’m originally from New York City, and have lived in San Francisco, California for the past eleven years. My first Depeche Mode concert was in 1994, when I got to see them perform on the Exotic Tour at Jones Beach in Long Island. The fourth Hollywood Bowl show marked my 40th Depeche Mode concert, and I get to see them three more times next month when I fly to England. I’m a truly lucky gal to have met so many friends along the way.

The Hollywood Bowl is an absolutely gorgeous venue, and should be on any live music aficionado's bucket list. Situated at the base of the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Bowl has been an active performance venue since the 1920s. It’s been the location of concerts by The Beatles, The Doors, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Prince, Nine Inch Nails, and The Muppets. 

Depeche Mode played here in August of 2009 during Tour of the Universe, and I was at both of those concerts with my friend Missy, who I had met online on the DMMB. She and I had planned to do twelve US shows together during TOTU before ever actually meeting. After having planned a nearly three week trip around the country we met for Thai food one evening and the friendship was solidified. My Delta Machine tour was only three shows in 2013, due to starting a new job and having just moved in with my then boyfriend (now husband). Missy went to nearly a dozen shows that tour as well, and made sure to text or call after to give me some highlights. When the band held a press conference in October 2016 to announce plans for a new album and tour we spoke later in the day and immediately began to map out what we could do.

Tragically, Missy fell extremely ill this January, and passed away on February 25th, 2017. My heart breaks every time I think of how she is no longer with us, and my first few shows on this tour (Las Vegas, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland) were very tough, especially during ‘Home’, which was one of her favorite songs.

For the first night of Hollywood Bowl, a few friends and I planned a “nosebleed party” in section R1. Like many fans who participated in the spam your friends and buy copious amounts of albums fiasco that led up to the ticket buying process, I was royally screwed with tickets for the first two shows in Los Angeles, but we made the best of it by gathering a group of hardcore fans to take over the top sections of the Bowl with loud cheering and singalongs. My good friend Jamie Highland (of MSG Night 2 write up fame - http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/live-review-depeche-mode-madison-square_13.html), always introduces our himself and our group to those around us…”We’re crazy fans, we stand up and dance and sing the entire time”. Fortunately everyone around us seemed okay with six fanatics in their midst.

Kristin (left) and Mr Highland (2nd from right)

Full disclosure...I did not get to my seat in time to see Warpaint for this show, but I tried. It took me nearly twenty minutes to get from the bottom level where I was having my pre-show libation with the 1% ers (aka those in the coveted Pool section) to my high altitude seat. I had had the pleasure of seeing them twice before in Las Vegas and San Jose, and they are decent. Check them out.

As the lights go down Cover Me (Alt Out) comes on. I’m so hyped; this show is finally happening! Martin, Fletch, Peter, and Christian come onstage, followed by Dave who starts us off with Going Backwards against a paint splatter display. The words to this song have haunted me ever since Las Vegas. I flew out of Vegas six hours before the massacre at the country concert and had friends who had stayed behind for one more day on the Strip. All of my friends made it out safely, but something has to be done. We’ve become numb to these kinds of incidents...we feel nothing inside.

So Much Love is next. I was almost certain that this would be the second single; it just has that feel. I absolutely adore the background video shot by Anton Corbijin, so perhaps there is a chance for a fourth single. I can hear this on the radio and getting some airplay. We’ll see. 

Ultra is my favorite Depeche Mode album, but Barrel Of A Gun is not the song from that album I would have picked for this setlist. It seems bloated and is slowed down at times. I’m a big fan of the snippet from “The Message” towards the end of the song. For an English dude in his 50s Dave’s still got the sass and swagger, as evidenced by his brushing the dirt off his shoulder at the end. A Pain That I’m Used To brings Peter Gordeno out front and center playing bass. It’s definitely a funkier version than we have heard in the past, but in my opinion it’s missing the edge it has on the album version and the live version from Touring The Angel. 

Corrupt is one of the highlights for me in the first part of the setlist. I was genuinely surprised to hear this at my first show (I had managed to go setlist spoiler free from the beginning of the tour until my first show in Vegas). Corrupt is a sexy, dirty song, and I absolutely LOVE it! Dave turned on the extra camp for this song, especially with the “little finger” gestures he made in time with some of the suggestive lyrics. Thank you sir, may I have another? To quote a good friend “the song is a damn panty dropper”.

After giving us barely enough time to towel off, the band launches into In Your Room....the ALBUM version!! I’m sure I’m not the only one who was definitely tired of the mix they had been using since forever. Accompanied by another of Anton’s amazing concert visuals, this song sounds as fresh as it did during the Devotional Tour. In the first major audience participation of the night, our sextet added the “gospel” backing vocals towards the end of the song (a la Devotional). Thankfully, Dave didn’t catch on, so there was no stage diving.

World In My Eyes isn’t one of my favorite songs but it’s special because we see how much Dave loves grabbing his junk. He does it, several times, and holds on for dear life. Homeboy, it’s not going to fall off.

Rounding out the first part of the set is Cover Me. Anton’s video for the third single from the album supports the band in the background, and Dave is absolutely into this song live. A surprise to all of us, he walks off the stage onto a platform that separates the Pool section from the rest of the venue, and stopped to hold one lucky fan’s hand while he showed off his core strength. Dave moving slowly along to the music is a thing to behold, and had the audience cheering as he walked off stage for a breather.

Now for the part of the show that is slowly becoming my favorite: Martin’s songs. I’ve been a Dave girl for nearly 30 years, but this tour Martin is just doing something for me. I don’t know...maybe it’s the beer. The possibility of changes in the set list are highest for Martin’s section of the setlist…..aaaand A Question of Lust. So this is setlist one. No big deal. A Question of Lust is beautiful, and this is truly the first time you hear the majority of the Hollywood Bowl singing along. There were even a few lighters being held high in the audience. Total nostalgia trip. Our group of six sing along at the top of our lungs, and lock arms in a large waving hug. 

Inevitably, Home comes next, and this is when I begin to tear up. Thankfully, I don’t ugly cry like I did in San Diego. A few tears slide down my cheek, and I look up at the stars, trying to find my friend. Towards the end of the song, when Martin plays conductor with the crowd and prompts us to sing “oooooooh oooooooh aaaaahh” our posse sings at the top of our lungs, and commands the rest of our section to join us. I don’t know who else around us is singing along, I just keep focused on moving my arms in time with Martin’s, and keeping the chant alive. The Hollywood Bowl manages to pull it off, and Dave come out to congratulate us on a job well done.

Poison Heart...meh. The song doesn’t really do much for me.

Where’s The Revolution could have been an anthem for our twisted times. The lyrics, like many of the songs on Spirit, are so on point. Something doesn’t connect the way the band wants it to, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a very strong song live. I spend the majority of this song with my fist in the air, like the good radical I am, that just spent nearly $100 to see a concert, but I’m with the 99% in Section R1 so all is right with the world.

The trio of songs that followed: Wrong, Everything Counts, and Stripped represent three distinct times in Depeche Mode’s career. Wrong has always worked well live, and I missed it during the Delta Machine Tour. Dave’s snarl when he shout/sings “WRONG!” into the microphone, is raw and full of energy. The transition to Everything Counts builds up to more and more people in the audience recognizing the song until almost everyone shouts with excitement. Our group added “the graph...the graph” chants, which got some quizzical looks from those around us. The ending of Everything Counts was absolutely electric; with pretty much every member of the audience singing along. There isn’t much I can say about Stripped that hasn’t been said before. I get goosebumps at the beginning of this song every time I hear it live. It’s a pure masterpiece; some of my favorite lyrics that Martin has ever written.

Rounding out the main part of the set are two more lynchpins Enjoy the Silence and Never Let Me Down Again. Both are songs I think I have heard every time I’ve seen Depeche Mode live, but the band brings so much energy to the songs they don’t seem stale. Given that, if I had the choice to pick other songs from their catalogue I absolutely would, but I don’t have that power as a fan. The Hollywood Bowl and The Rose Bowl are only fifteen miles apart, and some of the energy from the 101 concert may have rubbed off on the crowd. Everyone was on their feet and moving their arms along to the wheat wave, and no rotator cuffs were torn.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The five song encore was comprised of five songs: Somebody, Walking In My Shoes, “Heroes”, I Feel You and Personal Jesus. I was kind of amazed when some of the people around us left after NLMDA! I was hoping to hear a different Martin song, but since this is setlist one I wasn’t completely surprised. “Walking In My Shoes” is accompanied by an amazing background video that mesmerizes me every time I see it. The first time I heard “Heroes” I cried at how beautiful it was. Other than Depeche Mode, David Bowie is my favorite artist, and his death still affects me. The black flag backdrop fits in with the Spirit art and theme, but is also a sign of mourning Bowie’s passing.

Every time Dave sings “ Feel You his vocal chords die a little. Please just stop. I love it but it needs to go. Sorry SOFAD lovers.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Finally, it’s time for Personal Jesus. What a way to round out the show. Everyone knows this song. At this point in the show Dave must be exhausted, but I can’t tell. He continues to prance and strut around the stage, Jagger-esque, microphone stand in hand. Before we know it, the show is over and the band takes a bow, except for poor Fletch who can barely move his back. Three more Hollywood Bowl shows to go, and tons of parties and revelry ensue. 

Thanks for reading my review; and I hope that you get the opportunity to see Depeche Mode on the Global Spirit Tour! If you’re going to the shows in Manchester, Birmingham, or London, I would love to meet!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Kristin!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, KEY ARENA, SEATTLE, 21 OCTOBER 2017

After four record setting nights at the Hollywood Bowl, Depeche Mode finally left Los Angeles and headed to Seattle for a show at the Key Arena. Would we see a repeat of the varied setlists we saw in L.A or would we go back to the tried and trusted setlist that's been played at most shows on the tour? Stacy Lynch from Kent, Washington was there and here's her superb review of how the night unfolded. All photos are hers too so don't steal them without asking nicely. Enjoy.

A little about me: I became a fan of Depeche Mode at the age of 12. It was 1984 and I had been bitten by the Depeche Mode bug. By 13 I was devoted with no way to shake the disease. At 15, I got to go to my first DM concert and it was magical. Nearly 30 years later, the live magic is still there. 

Now, I’d like to say that I haven’t missed a tour since that day in 1988, but unfortunately that’s not the case. After seeing two shows on the World Violation tour, I did not have a chance to see Depeche Mode live again until 2001 – a show that turned me into that 15 year old girl all over again. 4 years later, another tour, another show. 4 years after that, another. 4 years after that…nothing. Depeche Mode did not come to Seattle. They didn’t play anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. They didn’t come to me and I couldn’t go to them. I was heartbroken. But this is how much they are a part of me. Having to miss them is like missing a piece of myself. It's hard. 8 long years since my last show and I was more than ready for October 21, 2017. Each of the 6 DM shows I’ve been to over the last 29 years (plus 2 additional solo Dave shows) have been special. Show 7 was, well, beyond anything I could have ever imagined. 

The show: We had row 16 floor seats on Fletch’s side of the stage. We were just 6 rows from the end of the catwalk. Realizing this, I knew I’d be in for some special Dave moments. I was afraid, as a not too tall of a person, that I would have a hard time seeing the stage, but I knew I’d be able to see the catwalk. Fortunately, there were like-sized people in front of me, so the stage was in pretty perfect view too!

After an epic 4 shows at the Hollywood Bowl with incredible twists & turns in the set list, I figured they would probably return to the original set list in Seattle. I was right. And because of this, I am not going to song by song, but rather emotion by emotion.

Just walking to our seats started to get me emotional. I had so many years of anticipation built up. I was about to burst. Once the lights went down and The Beatles Revolution intro music began, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I was jumping. I was screaming. I was ready. Oh, was I ready.

The band came out, Going Backwards began, and the tears started to flow. I couldn’t help it. And I couldn’t stop it. I spent the majority of the song wiping tears from my eyes. It’s a reaction you only understand if you have that special attachment to a band. And I know my fellow devotees understand.

By the time So Much Love began, I was just in excitement mode. Pure, unadulterated joy mode. I sang and danced and screamed and squealed song after song. And I wasn’t alone. Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, in it’s very nature, is a pretty laid back area. People don’t get too hyped. Even if they are having the time of their life, there is a general sense of calm amongst us. Not this night. This night was different. This crowd was ON. The band was ON. 

Song by song Dave was into it. He was smiling. He was wooing. He was dancing. He was pointing. His grabbing hands were grabbing all they can. Martin was just as lively. And Fletch was his enjoyably happy hand waving and clapping self. It was so fun to watch. Just as we fed off of their energy, they fed off of ours. The sing-a-longs during Everything Counts, Enjoy The Silence, Never Let Me Down Again, Home, Somebody, Walking In My Shows, Stripped, Barrel Of A Gun, and so on were awesome. I was proud of our crowd.

Cover Me. I was looking forward to this one. It was everything I had hoped it to be and more. It’s the only song I recorded. It was beautiful. It was emotional. It set me up for the next round of tears – Home.

This one always makes me tear up when I hear it live. This time it was a bit more special. Not only did I sing along for myself, but I sang along for my friend and fellow devotee Missy VanSlyke, who passed away in February. I cried. And at the end, I yelled out “this is for you Missy!”

Stripped. Good Gahan. Do I even need to say anything about the power of this song? 

I put my all into this show. So much so that by the end of Enjoy The Silence, I felt like I was going to pass out. I was over heated and under hydrated. My body felt like it was going to give out. I was able to drink a bit of water and I held on through NLMDA and the first song of the encore, Somebody. By Walking In My Shoes, I had to sit down. I could barely stand in my own shoes, let alone walk in theirs. After fanning myself and drinking a little more water, I was back up for "Heroes." I had to be up for "Heroes". This is my favorite Bowie song, and to hear one David pay such a beautiful tribute to another David filled my soul.

After the final two songs, I Feel You and Personal Jesus, the band said their goodbyes, took their bows, and left the stage, but the energy in the arena remained. For me the energy remained for the entire hour and a half drive home in the rain and wind. And it remained at 3am, when I was still awake, trying to get to sleep. I’m pretty sure it will remain with me for a very long time. Perhaps another 4 years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Stacy

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, ORACLE ARENA, OAKLAND, 10 OCTOBER 2017

For this review we welcome back Kristin Pinnatore who previously reviewed the Santa Barbar show for us (http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/live-review-depeche-mode-santa-barbara.html) . The Oakland show saw Kristin take her 10 year old daughter Dessa along which is a cool thing to do. I imagine it blew her mind. Another life long Devotee is found! Thanks very much to Kristin for this great review. All pictures are hers except where otherwise credited i.e. I took one from Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

This is the second Spirit review I've written in the wake of an unfolding tragedy here in the American West. On October 2 I saw DM in Santa Barbara, California as details of the what’s being called the worst mass shooting in America’s modern history were just starting to crystallize. I'm still shaken to the core by the events in Las Vegas, and I know so many, many DM fans are, too. 

A week later I was waiting to hear word from my best friend, Nancy, who was stuck behind fire lines that had just exploded in Norther California, turning into the undisputed worst wildfires in Our state’s history. Cell phones, internet, land lines, and electricity failed for her and thousands of others, and our group of friends and family spent a worried night trying to track down all of those we knew. 

We didn't hear from Nancy until mid-day Tuesday (the day of the DM show in Oakland), but it was good news! She was out of the fire zone in the nick of time and on her way for Depeche Mode in Oakland! Road closures, heavy traffic, smoke, etc. etc. - nothing could keep her away from the Black Celebration.

After a grateful reunion Nancy and I, along with my 10-year-old daughter Dessa, headed out for a night on the town. This was to be Dessa’s induction into the Black Swarm and she was as excited as she could be. Seeing DM through her eyes was something I’d been looking forward to for months. Time to put all those hours in the car singing the back catalogue to good use!

We had “Hospitality Package” tickets for this show, which included a pre-show party. As I saw in Santa Barbara, communication between the venue’s security and the tour reps was problematic again in Oakland. There were several entry points at the arena that had access to the pre-party entry plaza, but not all of the security people knew where they were, or even that there were people with early entry at all. We wasted a good amount of time being told by security, “Nobody told us. They’ll radio us when you can go up” (didn’t happen until almost 6 pm for a 5:30 call). I wouldn’t assume that anyone from the tour or the venue or whoever is supposed to help communicate between them reads these reviews, but just in case - please work on your communication at the venues! I keep seeing beleaguered security folks who have been told nothing about the evening’s plans and are completely incapable of putting concert goers in the right place! It’s frustrating for everyone involved.

Now that that’s off my chest, let’s return to the show! The pre-show snacks, music and swag were great fun, and very impressive to a 10-year-old (I didn’t find it half bad either). After our “crowd-free” merchandise shopping (there was a crowd but not a big crowd…), we headed to our seats on the floor. We were able to snag 5th row center during the pre-sale and couldn’t complain at the view! We were able to make some new friends at the pre-show and say hi to old friends, so it was a very welcoming place to be.

L-R: Nancy, Dessa, Kristin

I wanted to be sure to leave enough time to enjoy the pre-show party before Warpaint took the stage so that our little group could really settle in and enjoy them. I’ve loved their sound and will definitely be listening to them more often, and my daughter was grooving along as well. Warpaint definitely has some new converts!

The build up to DM’s appearance was as tension filled and exciting as all the previous reviews have discussed. The difference for me, this time, was the presence of my daughter next to me practically vibrating with excitement, and the only slightly muted calls of my best friend just beyond her. The long awaited moment had finally arrived.

The setlist was no different than it’s been in a long run of North American shows. I’m sure the boys are saving any real surprises for the Hollywood Bowl dates. And yet, the show still felt fresh and exciting at this, my third viewing of it. What’s truly amazing to me is that the men on the stage keep it so energetic and vivid performance after performance. 

The Oakland audience (at least where I was sitting) was really engaged and the sing-alongs were vibrant. Martin went out to the end of the catwalk to lead the masses at the end of Home, though it didn’t extend beyond the end of the song.

The last four songs of the main setlist (Everything Counts, Stripped, Enjoy the Silence, and Never Let Me Down Again) got the biggest response from the arena, of course. I want to go on record as not a fan of the t-shirt gun at the end of NLMDA, though. It feels like a time-filler for Dave, who commands enough attention as it is, and it makes the wheat wave moment of togetherness into something else. Something that feels like a cheapening of the moment. I doubt that was ever the intent, but it feels forced to me.

As always with DM, the end came too soon. Even a five song encore doesn’t go on forever, I’m afraid. The bows were taken and I finally got a decent few shots of Fletch. 

It’s been a wonderful privilege to be a part of this massive effort worldwide, so thank you all! I’m looking forward to reading more reviews here as the Spirit train rolls on towards 2018!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Kristin!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, MATTRESS FIRM AMPHITHEATRE, SAN DIEGO, 6 OCTOBER 2017

This venue definitely wins the title of Venue Name Of The Tour - spectacular stuff. Equally spectacular is this review from Rob Rohm from Orange County, California, a man who really knows his Depeche Mode. Rob's review is a great read which I know you'll all enjoy. Thanks very much Rob for the write up, pictures and videos. Thanks too to the by now surely fed up of me stealing things gang at Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group whose pictures I've credited. Don't want to get in trouble.

October 6, 2017 - Mattress Firm Amphitheatre is the name of the venue hosting Depeche Mode on this warm fall night in Chula Vista, California. The name of the venue can cause you to do a double take. Although it's named after one of the largest mattress retailers in the US, it evokes sexual imagery and innuendo more than anything else. What better place for Depeche Mode to perform songs such as Corrupt, In Your Room, World in My Eyes, A Question of Lust, and Stripped. 

Although the venue sufficiently warned fans to get to the amphitheatre early to avoid traffic, it was truly a traffic nightmare getting in to the show. My home is located in Orange County, California. It's about an hour and a half drive south to Mattress Firm without any traffic. The last two miles took more time than that. Unfortunately for us, we trusted the judgment of Google Maps for the quickest route into the venue. It guided us to a back route in with a single lane that was barely moving. The traffic coming in the traditional entrance was heavily bogged down as well but at least they had 3 lanes of cars moving. We made the mistake of having a few drinks at our hotel with friends before we left. We left our hotel at 6:30 for what should have been a thirty-minute drive at the most. After sitting in traffic for over an hour with no end in sight, my wife and her friends suggested that I walk the remainder and meet them inside. They knew I was to review the show for The Global Spirit Tour Project. I didn't want to miss a minute of the action, so I took them up on their offer and walked over a mile to the venue in my Doc Martins (Try Walking in My Shoes! Sorry, couldn't resist).

As I walked up to the venue I heard the opening act Warpaint but by the time I got inside they were done playing. Luckily I had caught them earlier in the week at Martin's hometown gig at the Santa Barbara Bowl. This is my fifth time seeing the band on the Global Spirit tour and 41st show all-time starting back in 1986. I was lucky enough this tour to see them at a private rehearsal with 40 others in Hollywood at S.I.R. Studios in April. They only performed 10 songs for us at the rehearsal but it was there that I first saw the exact 22 song set list that they performed in Chula Vista at the base of Martin Gore's microphone stand.

Once inside the venue, I took a peek at the merchandise booth to see if there were long lines (there were) and if there was anything new. I also checked to make sure they're still selling the cool Master and Servant shirt. I bought souvenirs at their Paris gig in July but haven't bought anything yet from the shows I've caught in the States (Vegas, Santa Barbara, and San Diego). I'm hoping they open a pop-up shop in Los Angeles for the Hollywood Bowl shows as they've done in New York and select shows in Europe.

I grabbed a beer and said hello to a few devotees before heading to my seat. For this show my ticket was third row from the stage on the left side (Martin's side). I texted my wife to check on her whereabouts and they were still slowly making their way to the venue. It was too late, the Beatles' Revolution was playing and they were still stuck in traffic! It was 9pm and the band was taking the stage. 

The Spirit feet march into the show opener Going Backwards with its vibrant backdrop. This timely and relevant song is one of my favorite tracks on Spirit and a perfect way to kick things off. So Much Love and Barrel Of A Gun follow and my wife still hasn't made it into the venue yet! I'm glad to be inside watching but bummed when Peter Gordeno straps on the bass guitar and the band breaks into A Pain That I'm Used To. At the Santa Barbara show, my wife had told me that she really likes that song. It was actually a bit surprising to me that she said that but the version they perform on this tour is definitely one that you can't stop yourself from dancing to. Luckily she shows up mid song and immediately begins dancing and is quite happy with our view.

She is just in time for the Mattress Firm Trilogy: Corrupt, In Your Room, and World In My Eyes. On Corrupt, Dave's performance combines elements of hard rock, marching soldiers, and a sultry rock god all in one

In Your Room is one of my top ten favorite Depeche Mode tracks. Thankfully the band has reverted to playing the album version of the song which is a lot more powerful in my opinion. The song is accompanied by one of Anton's video creations but sitting up close my focus is on the band's performance and not the video.

World In My Eyes completes the Mattress Firm Trilogy with the crowd fully engaged. My wife commented about Dave putting his hands above his head to form the hand gesture shown on the cover of the World In My Eyes single. She mentioned first noticing him doing this in Paris.

Cover Me is accompanied by Anton's video footage used for the single release with Dave walking around Venice Beach in astronaut gear. This one is hard not to pay attention to the video. It's another one of those videos that make you question how much trust they give Anton but it is interesting I suppose.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

I missed A Question Of Lust to make a beer run but it sounded great. I am surprised how little Martin's songs have changed this tour. Usually he mixes it up more. We did get to see Judas performed in Paris, but that's been the only set change I've seen in person so far this tour. It is rumored that there will be significant changes during the Hollywood Bowl shows. I'll be at the last 3 shows there. Home sounded great as usual and we actually had a pretty good round of ooohs going after the song was over.

Poison Heart really takes me back to the intimate rehearsal I saw in April. We were standing right in front of Martin during that performance and to watch his guitar work and emotion as he sang the backup vocals was pretty amazing.

Where's The Revolution is the fifth and final song they perform off Spirit. The visuals on this song are great as is the performance. Dave marches up the stairway to the second level stage area with his silhouette in front of socialist imagery provided by Anton.

Wrong and Everything Counts get the remix treatment and are fantastic performances and lead into my all-time favorite song, Stripped. I typically try to avoid filming too much but I did record the complete song for this one. I wanted to have a full clip of Stripped live as it may be one of the songs that gets changed up in Hollywood.

The last two songs before the encore actually elevate the show to the highest points. Besides being the classic powerful Depeche Mode songs that they are, Enjoy The Silence and Never Let Me Down Again are both crowd favorites. The audience interaction is at its best during these two songs and is highlighted by the classic waving of hands during Never Let Me Down Again. At this show Dave does not use the t-shirt cannon during the song.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The encore consisted of five songs as usual starting with Somebody performed by Martin, Walking In My Shoes featuring another Anton Corbijn video, the "Heroes" David Bowie tribute, I Feel You, and Personal Jesus.

I had a fantastic night at the show despite the pain I wasn't used to of getting into the show. I read some negative comments from some fans on social media after the show and I will say this: As with anything in life, your mode (mindset) will go a long way in determining how much you enjoy the show. The band definitely doesn't disappoint. It's amazing to see them perform at such a high level with so much energy and enthusiasm after all these years. I'm proud to say I've been a Devotee since 1985.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Rob!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOWL, SANTA BARBARA, 2 OCTOBER 2017

This review has been provided by Kristin Pinnatore from Fremont, California and in it Kristin gives us the full lowdown on what it's like to see Depeche Mode from as close to the front of the crowd as it's possible to be. I love the effort Kristin went to to get that spot and it's so cool to read about fellow Devotees helping make sure she got what she wanted. Read on and enjoy. All photos are Kristin's unless otherwise stated (i.e. stolen with much thanks from Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group)

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

It’s not every day that we get a chance to cross something off our bucket lists. To be fair, my personal bucket list isn’t even that long - I prefer not to dwell on my own mortality. But if I did maintain a serious bucket list, seeing Depeche Mode from the front row would be at the top of it. Front row center, if I’m being honest (or greedy). The problem is that there’s been virtually no general admission at North American venues for the last several tours, and certainly none near me. Prices for such coveted seats are sold at a ridiculous price in the states, too, and I’m a school teacher with a family. It’s been a dream for a long time, but only that. Dream on.

By pure luck, last spring I had the chance to buy a general admission spot at the legendary Santa Barbara Bowl. And slowly, a plan comes together. With the support of my husband (who isn’t even a huge music fan, let alone a devotee like myself), we plan a 5-hour car trip down the California coast, bringing supplies so I can camp out at the venue the night before the show, hopefully securing the front-of-the-line spot. 

I arrive at the venue at 9 PM the night before the show, stay in the car for an hour and then set up a lawn chair and blankets at the gate. First in line (for rather a long while, I’m afraid). But I’m good at entertaining myself and between a strong internet connection (hurray for Netflix!) and some snacks, I make it until about 2:30 AM before drifting into a light sleep.

When the semis come through the predawn Santa Barbara neighborhood at 5 AM, it’s like the circus has come to town. Ten enormous unmarked long haul trucks and three RV’s maneuver their way through the parking lot as I watch. More fans start to trickle in at about 6 AM as well. We start a numbering system to keep track of the line, because frankly the venue has no idea how they want us to line up. I find out that there is an “early admission general admission” ticket that I do not have, and that anyone with the early admission is getting first crack at the rail. So much for my extreme efforts to be first in line. I miss the olden days, without all the levels of tickets. But despite my disappointment, I’m determined to enjoy being as close as possible to the action.

The people I meet in line are seriously some of the nicest people I’ve ever come into contact with at a live show; in my mind they are “The 6 AM Crew”. Most have been to multiple shows on this tour already and are old hands at getting the best spot possible. I know I’m outclassed in every way here and am resigned to having some heads in my way. Hopefully their owners won’t be tall. It’s not until I get back online at home that I realize how many of these folks I already “know” from the fan sites, reviews, and forums on which I lurk!

The line continues to be a struggle for the venue when there is confusion about the “early admission” and “regular admission” to this so-called “general” admission. It gets sorted, but not until after 5 PM. The early admission folks (maybe 30 people?) are registered, patted down and allowed up The Hill to the stage area.

I’ve heard horror stories about The Hill at the Santa Barbara Bowl. But nothing could have prepared me for it. After I’m finally let through security and begin my climb, I quickly understand why I’ve been told so often about it. You have the choice of either a LOT of stairs, or a STEEP walk up. Either way, I’m in no shape for it, less so because I’m short on sleep. People are passing me and I see any front row hopes I might have entertained dissolving into a wheezing, heaving asthma attack.

By the time I make it to the merch and food area, I’m dizzy and gasping. And because we’re not through yet, there is another flight of stairs to get to the general admission floor. Somehow I make it, and when I turn the corner and see the stage, there are three different groups of people from the 6 AM Crew waving at me to say they’ve saved a spot on the rail for me! 

Seriously, folks. DM people are amazing. I always knew that but now I’m seeing it first hand. I’m shaking with gratitude, excitement, and the adrenaline rush of practically killing myself on the hike. But I am front row center! I simply can’t believe it! I will never be able to say thank you enough!

Because of the hill, I’m still coughing when Warpaint takes the stage. I haven’t had a chance to check them out before and they are a welcome surprise, with an edge that feels appropriately matched to our general expectations of Depeche. The lead singer tells those of us in the pit that we’re very lucky because there haven’t been pits at the North American shows, and I know I feel incredibly fortunate. But there’s also a sense of solemnity in our luck. Less than 24 hours prior, a gunman struck down 58 concert goers in Las Vegas. Many of the folks I’m sharing these first rows with - people I’ve been chatting and comparing DM notes with for hours - have just come from Vegas, where DM played on Saturday night. Some stayed in the same hotel as the gunman. We’re all aware that the targeted victims were doing exactly what we’re doing now - enjoying live music with like-minded folks - and didn’t make it home. 

Though this is sobering, we don’t have time to dwell right now, as the set change is quick and opens the floor up a great deal more. This is good, because without a catwalk (the Bowl is too small for one) I was a little worried about Dave’s ability to fully prowl around. Now there’s clearly more room for the whole band. 

Suddenly the lights drop and the Beatles remind us that we wanted revolution ages ago and we’re still waiting. After a minute the Beatles fade out and the Spirit marching feet appear to the deeply primal beat of Cover Me (Alt Out). The bass is so intense when it arrives that it hits us smack in the throat with a physical punch, eliciting grunts from a number of us, as though we are already getting in touch with our caveman mentality.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The band enters and takes their places, while the screen behind them shifts from marching boots to a colorful Pollack-y background. This is possibly the last time I will pay attention to Anton’s visuals for the evening. I’m seeing this show twice more from further back next week, so I’m going to seize this front row opportunity and pay attention to the men on the stage. When you can see the individual bits of glitter on their arms, you know you’re close and I’m not throwing away my shot.

Dave demands all eyes on him, anyway, because our master of ceremonies is taking the stage on his raised platform. After the first verse of Going Backwards he’s down and on the main stage, literally skipping with malevolent delight at just how much of a mess we’ve made for ourselves. His wrist flips and sassy flouncing announce his disdain for our backwards ways, and his sneers say volumes about exactly how much confidence he has in our ability to fix things. Media photographers are allowed in the front section of the pit for the first three songs, and Dave preens and poses for them, channeling Keith Richards and Elvis, with a smidge of Joel Grey thrown in for good measure. 

When I first saw the setlist I couldn’t really appreciate the build up it creates, but I love it live. I didn’t really understand kicking off with Going Backwards, other than the fact that it’s the opening track on Spirit. On tour, though, it’s a dire warning and a plea that sets the tone for the evening. 

So Much Love isn’t my favorite song off the new album, but it works well as a second live piece. With it’s frenetic pace, it takes the End of Days energy of Going Backwards and gives it a jittery, panicked edge. Dave doesn’t seem completely comfortable with all this love in him - or at least his concert persona doesn’t. He vamps and sneers through it all, almost daring us to believe he could bear to love us.

Dave has a little ballet for the intro to Barrel Of A Gun that he uses throughout the song. Big arm motions and wide steps add to the sense of nihilistic glee that he infuses this song with. He’s still mugging at the cameras and posing provocatively.

Next up is A Pain That I’m Used To, the Jaques LuCont remix. I have to say I’m a fan of this remix. I think it has a drive that the original lacks and the intro is great live. If there’s any song I think DM could drop, though, it’s this one, since they performed it on the Delta tour. It’s a great song and a great version, but it’s the one I’d love to see swapped out.

However, I am thrilled with the inclusion of Corrupt in the Spirit setlist. I love this song and think it’s highly underrated (same goes for In Sympathy and Scum. I make no apologies). It’s the perfect vehicle for Dave to go full-on sleaze mode, pointing to individual crowd members and telling them to their face that he wouldn’t touch them with even his little finger. The rock god persona is complete - now he’s rejecting the fans with “I could have you, but who would want you?” abuse and we eat it up. He’s laughing at us, and at the whole silly set-up. Dave knows the score and he’s letting us in on the joke.

In Your Room builds as it always does, whether you’re listening to it through headphones or live. It’s a no-fail recipe for getting the masses worked up, and the boys pull the marionette strings beautifully. World In My Eyes follows, so this is familiar territory for fans.

Next up, you can tell that Dave enjoys the space to really sing Cover Me, and he sounds great. The appearance of this one on the permanent setlist surprised me, but placed where it is, it’s the perfect transition from Dave to Martin. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Because now here is Martin, to sing us our prayers. It’s not bedtime yet, so the selections are less lullaby and more praise/worship/meditation. A Question Of Lust seems like precisely the right question - all this sex and sarcasm from Dave has led us to a fundamental moment - what are we going to do with all this frenzied energy? Martin thinks he knows. Home is all of us coming back to ourselves - the ultimate goal of meditation - and of course, Martin is at home here in Santa Barbara, too. We’ve all, unexpectedly, found our home in this small bowl in the foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains.

Home successfully turns into a big singalong, the European-style kind I’ve read about, mainly because a few of the 6 AM Crew have set a mission to make it happen. I’ve never been in the tinderbox of a crowd sing along before and it’s euphoric. I’m “Ohhh-oh-oh-OOOOOOOHHHHH”ing along with the best of them and Dave appears to see what all the fuss is about. He takes his position as gothic band leader and conducts us supplicants in our tune. Big grins all around.

But Good Times Dave isn’t back for long. Next up is a vicious rendition of Poison Heart that drips with scorn. Yes, he’s sure of the poison in our hearts and minds, but it’s with all due respect, so it’s OK. He couldn’t be more done with us, and the crowd laps it up and begs for more.

The placement of Where’s The Revolution in the setlist confused me when I first saw it, too. It seemed awfully late in the show for the first single off a new album. The boys clearly know better than I do, because it arrives at the perfect moment. Up until now the selections have thematically explored power issues in all their myriad forms. Now it’s time to do something about it. Sadly, we’re letting DM down, people - where is that revolution?

Maybe it’s our own fault. Wrong is full of mockery, especially when the lights drop in the middle and Dave shows off his yoga skills by basically folding in half.

The classics return with a one-two punch of Everything Counts and Stripped. Hardcore and casual fans alike are singing along and it’s at the end of Stripped that I have my eye-lock moment with the rock god. It’s discomfiting when the man you’ve gazed at longingly since you were 13 looks back at you. As I told my husband, “When Dave Gahan looks in your eyes, they stay looked into.” In that moment, I’m back in high school. All I ever wanted, all I ever needed, indeed.

We’re in the thick of the hits now and Enjoy The Silence gets the giddy reception it deserves. Christian has his drum solo and even Martin boogies down during the bridge. Dave’s pacing the upper stage and giving a little stage time to the rest of the boys. Fletch, as always, is metaphorically eating a banana.

Never Let Me Down Again is the barn-burner it always is. It’s impossible from where I’m standing to take in the spectacle of the wheat wave arms that the climax of the song always brings, but I know it’s happening. 

The two minutes or so between the band’s exit and their encore is fairly deafening. Then Martin appears and the word Somebody flashes on the screen. This is the song that really made me a devotee. I’d heard some of the band’s other tunes on the radio, but after 13 year old me danced with my crush to Somebody in the high school gym, I was forever in thrall to DM. Martin executes this rendition beautifully. Afterwards, Dave returns to point out his sparkly silver boots while daring us to go Walking In My Shoes.

I’ve been looking forward to “Heroes” since the first time I heard that it was being covered on this tour. More than any of the songs from the Spirit album, I think the “Heroes” cover will most embody this particular concert experience for me. Seeing my musical heroes in this place, in this way - because of the support of my family and new DM fan friends - well, this experience is proof positive that we can all be heroes, just for one day. Shout out again to the 6 AM Crew for making a girl’s dream come true!

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

At this point I’m exhausted but the boys from Basildon still pull out I Feel You and Personal Jesus - and not that version with the painfully slow intro from the Delta tour. No, there’s no dragging this one out - we dive right in and the energy that Dave displays proves that he continues to be a musical force of nature. He’s been going full steam for two hours and on this final song he stomps the stage, throwing his body around, and continuing to take up more room than you’d think his slight frame would.

Before I know it, they’re taking their bows and heading off into the night. The time has flown by and somehow it’s all over! After hugs and thanks and many “See you next times” to the 6 AM Crew , we surge back down the ridiculous hill, and scatter in all directions.

A few random observations: Christian’s live drumming is integrated really well in this setlist. I know DM’s having live drums was a difficulty for some fans, and I can understand the arguments. For me, the driving rhythms tied together the setlist and it’s clear from the interactions that Dave loves having real drums on stage. 

I wasn’t in a good position to report on general sound quality at the Bowl, though I was told it sounded great all around the venue. Up close everything sounded quite good, without any serious proximity distortion.

Dave is clearly, as always, the man to watch. Martin is busy with his guitars and harmonizing, while Fletch is busy in the background being Fletch (I say this with all love to Fletch). Spirit Tour Dave is much more snarly than Delta Tour Dave was. His movements are bigger; he ape-walks the stage and stomps like a man caged. His physicality is truly something to see. 

My tour with the boys continues nearer to home. I’ll be back to report on the Oakland show, so for now - thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next time!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Kristin