DEPECHE MODE - 101 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT 101

On 18 June 2018, it will be 30 years since Depeche Mode played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

30 years! As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Rose Bowl gig then, it seemed logical to write something about it, so here are 101 fascinating facts about 101. Why couldn't they have recorded the 20th gig instead...

1. Everything Counts (Live)
The first hint of what was to come came on 13 February 1989 with the release of Everything Counts live from the Rose Bowl gig. The vinyl version of the forthcoming 101 wasn't, I don't know, wide enough or something to accommodate A Question Of Lust, Sacred and Nothing, so live versions of them appeared on the 7" (Nothing) and the 12" and cd single (all three). There were also a few remixes scattered here and there on the limited 12", 10" which came in a numbered envelope with a window sticker and two postcards inside (a lovely thing).

My Everything Counts collection (minus promo 12" singles - pics of them below)

Two promo 12" singles came out namely P12BONG16

which featured two remixes of Everything Counts: the Bomb The Bass remix (later known as Tim Simenon/Mark Saunders Remix) and the Alan Moulder Remix (later known as the Absolut Mix).

PPBONG16 also featured two tracks - Strangelove (Hijack Mix) and Nothing (Remix Edit).

There was also one other format...

2. Everything Counts (Live) LCD BONG16 a.k.a The Filofax pack
I've covered this before - have a read of this if the notion of a Filofax pack baffles you. It's still Depeche Mode's oddest officially released item. Well, apart from Hole To Feed as a single that is.

http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2016/07/depeche-mode-mueso-part-1-everything.html


3. Everything Counts (Live) - the video
From the infamous "We're going to make loads of money" all the way to Dave conducting the crowd, it's glorious:



4 -17. Promoting the film and album
To coincide with the release of Everything Counts (Live), the band started promoting 101. Am I already running out of material? Probably, however, I need 101 of these so here we go:

4. Dave appears on TV AM
TV AM was a British morning show that balanced lots of inane nonsense with the excellence of Roland Rat and some rather good music pieces, one of which was Dave's appearance on 13 February 1989. Look how fresh faced he looks:

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Not too shabby for 7.18 in the morning bearing in mind that Dave was still enjoying a rock and roll lifestyle at the time. Dave confirms that Fletch is skiing, Martin is in Japan and Alan "hopefully watching at home." He's the interviewed again around 7.48 and talks about the gig. We even see a snippet of Behind The Wheel from 101.

5. The 101 premiere

This took place at the Dominion Theatre in London on 22 February 1989

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

All the band were there along with D A Pennebaker, Daniel Miller and more.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

6. A film premiere in Paris and a Music For The Masses platinum disc presentation

The film was shown at Club De L'etoile before the band headed for La Locomotive and their disc presentation. Here's Fletch at the latter having a grand old time

Picture (and info) courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

7. Miming to the live version of Everything Counts, San Remo, Italy 25 February 1989

Very odd this. The band played at the Sanremo festvial in San Remo on 25 February and, in doing so, played one song. That involved them miming to a live version of a song they'd just released. I've no idea why either.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The band also gave a press conference at Hotel Royal in San Remo. Here's a picture of Dave and Martin enjoying themselves at that

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And here's the performance of Everything Counts:

8. A 101 premiere in Birmingham

This took place on 2 March 1989 at the Cannon Cinema. The band didn't turn up however. And they wonder why they get a rough reaction from Birmingham crowds....*

*Martin's words, not mine

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

9. Martin and Andy head to Europe...

In early March, Martin and Andy went around Europe giving interviews. At one point they ended up in Denmark recording a show called Fluen. Here and Martin and Andy laughing it up in the taxi home

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

10....as do Dave and Alan

Dave and Alan headed to Munich where they appeared on a show called Action. They appear to have been interviewed by the label on the b-side of the 12" of A Question Of Time

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

11. A signing session at HMV, Birmingham, 20 March 1989

The album was already out by this point and much to your inevitable relief, we'll come to that shortly. The whole band appeared in Birmingham to sign the record, meet fans and seemingly have a few beers. For a brief moment, as you can see below, Fletch was sacked and replaced by Terence Trent D'Arby, but that decision was thankfully overturned on the same day

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

12. Filming for The Story of 101, Hilton, London, 27 March

The band plus D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus were at the Hilton to film this show telling the story of the film

13. A signing session at Virgin Megastore, Paris, 12 April 1989
As you might have guessed from the title, there was a signing session on 12 April 1989.

At the Virgin Megastore.

In Paris.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

14. A 101 premiere in Toronto

The band then turned up in Toronto to see their film again. I wonder if they were bored by this point?

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

15. A premiere in Los Angeles

On 25 April 1989, 101 premiered in LA at AMC Century 14. Here's the band at the premiere

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And here's a thing that was on TV about it:

16. A premiere of, unbelievably, 101 in New York

This was on 27th April at Radio City Music Hall which is a cool venue to have your film shown at. Dave and Alan were there only as a diary cock up meant Fletch and Martin had to be in Houston. I presume that was on 101 related business. Here are Dave and Alan - was this where the Violator cover concept was dreampt up? No, I imagine.

Picture courtesy of Depehce Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And look, here are some other people. We'll find out a bit more about them shortly

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

17. So that's why Martin and Andy were in Houston

It was for a 101 premiere at AMC 14 in Houston. In case you are on the lookout for obscure Depeche Mode related buildings, here it is:

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

18. An odd and expensive promo single

At some point in 1989, the band's French and Spanish record companies released a promo by way of a vinyl version of Pleasure Little Treasure. In both countries, a 7" was released, featuring the live version of the track from 101 on both sides.

The French then went one step further, releasing a 12" featuring three tracks: the live version and the Join Mix and Glitter Mix of Pleasure Little Treasure.

These are quite cool if unnecessary items, neither of which I own sadly.

19. The album itself

Here's a fact to love about 101 -  it's the finest live album your ears will ever hear. The music aside, which we'll come to in good time, it's also incredible because of...

20 - 25. The Artwork

Ok, Anton Corbijn may have slacked off a tad on recent DM releases, but there is no argument to be had when it comes to the 101 artwork. Black and white, majestic and above all else, just fucking gorgeous, Anton did wonders here. The cover above alone is a work of art: Dave in his leather gear, wee Martin and his hat, Fletch slicked back and ready for business, Alan doing his best Morrissey (pre Brexit and racism) impression, the iconic t-shirt and so much more. Everywhere you look on 101, you see stunning pictures.  Just look at:

20. Dave

21. Martin

22. Andy

23. Alan

Each one of those pictures is glorious as are the others in the...

24. Booklet

Available either as a 12" 16 page book with the album or a..erm..cd box sized book with the cd, the booklet accompanying the album is full of ever more wonderful pictures. Here's just one of them:

Dave pictured having a premonition about Hole To Feed

25. The Catalogue Number

What? Shut up David. No you shut up. The catalogue number for this release is STUMM101. That's genius. Record companies don't do that sort of thing anymore. Well played Mute, well played.

26. The formats - the envelope sleeve LP

Some of my 101's

This blog isn't just for fans of nifty black and white pictures. Oh no. It's also for people who like to know what the vinyl smells like and what weight the cassette is. It's time to have a brief look at the formats. Other than one section, I'm just referring to the UK formats. Thanks to depmod.com for approximately 90% of the info here.

As this came out in 1989, LP's were still very much the in thing, unlike now where they are...no...wait - forget that. 101 was released on two vinyl versions here in Britain, the first of which was in an envelope sleeve, so called because the sleeve was envelope like in that both records and the booklet could fit inside it. As if they were in an envelope albeit one with Anton's photographic genius all over it.

27. The Gatefold sleeve LP

It's the Envelope Sleeve albeit without any hint of envelopeness. The gatefold fits one record in either side and the booklet in whichever sleeve you wish to squash it into. Also, on both versions of the lp, the stickers on the vinyl are majestic. That sort of thing pleases me and, admit it, many of you reading this.

28. The Cassette

This was my first ever version of 101. As with the CD, the full concert fits here with Black Celebration rounding off side 1. There are five different versions of the cassette (catalogue number CSTUMM101) ranging from one with a white paper label on each side to one with a black printed label. Collect them all and amuse and impress your loved ones. Also, if I don't actually get to 101 things to love (how is this only number 28 for God's sake?), expect 5 paragraphs on each version of the cassette sooner than you fear.

29. The Soft slipcase cover cd

The first variation of cd format (CDSTUMM101) came in a tri-fold digipack thing inside a cardboard sleeve. The cds were tucked inside the far too tight sleeves along with the booklet meaning you either sacrificed your fingers or the sleeve getting the bastard things out. Many Depeche fans of that era are accordingly fingerless.

30. The Big Chunky Double cd 

That's more like it. A no nonsense, reassuringly heavy thick jewel case that you could open up and effortlessly remove the cds and book, free of digit destroying Depechery. 

31. Other notable formats

If this is your sort of thing, then please do have a look at depmod.com where a staggering amount of work has gone into making sure Depeche fans all over the place can find out on how many different variations of 7" Get The Balance Right was released in the Cook Islands and so on. 101 was released in many different formats worldwide and, thanks to depmod.com, I've deemed the oddest three formats as follows:

(a) The Turkish cassette release on Jaws Records

Picture courtesy of depmod.com

(b) The Saudi cassette on Stallions Records

Picture courtesy of depmod.com

(c) The Taiwanese CD on Pony Records

Picture courtesy of depmod,com

All because I find the Record Company names amusing.

32. The Super Audio CD (SACD) release

You all know SACD's don't you? Unplayable in most cd players and certainly in no cars, they also can't be ripped to your iPod, making them virtually useless. Despite that, 101 was released on SACD on 2nd February 2004. Is it worth buying? Not really unless you're some sort of oddball completist - yes it does feature in my 101 formats picture above. There is one other reason to buy the SACD though. An unreleased until 2004 track. A NEW DEPECHE MODE THING. Sit down before I tell you that the name of that track was

33. Pimpf (Full version)

Yeah that gave us the full Pimpf. And not at the start instead of the old Pimpf either. It's at the end. As in after Everything Counts. As in after everyone has left. Baffling.

34. Reissues

This is more for the sake of completion than anything else, however the album has been reissued on CD 6 times and on LP once in Britain. You can tell them apart by minute details and again, can have fun collecting the set.

35. The Music

Yes, it's taken me 35 items to actually get to the music itself. Only 66 to go. 101 is an act of genius from the start to the end and, were this just a post called "Is 101 Any Good?" that description would suffice. It isn't however, so settle down, pop on the album and enjoy the best bits of each track with this startling commentary:

36. Pimpf

Genuinely works better as the fade in version we get here. It just does.

37. Behind The Wheel

That's how you kick off a concert. Depeche at their pre guitar dominance most minimalist and slinky.

38. Strangelove

GLORIOUS! When Martin starts singing "Strangelove" from 3 minutes 54 seconds in you are transported to a heavenly plane. 

39. Sacred

They were touring the album this was on. Fair enough.

40. Something To Do

Leather boots, oily dresses and noises only Depeche put on albums - a celebration of one of Some Great Reward's gems

41. Blasphemous Rumours

A towering version of their "We want to be like The Cure but can't help stick an oddly poppy chorus in a gloom track" classic. Look out for the woman in tears singing along in the film without any notion of what the tune is or ever was.

42. Stripped

A live track as erotic experience. That metal bashing is a staggering beast and the last 1 minute 30 seconds is probably the most exciting passage of music of all time. Fun fact - I spent far too long a time when I was 16 using deodorant cans to replicate the metal bashing. I even made sure I used enough deodorant from each so that each can sounded just like the metal pad things. I grew up in a very small town. Leave me alone.

43. Somebody

Sigh. Magical

44. The Things You Said

No YOU'RE crying

45. Black Celebration

The definitive live version of one of Depeche Mode's defining tracks. Yes even better than the Exciter tour version....shudder.....

46. Shake The Disease

If you don't like this either seek medical attention or get some new ears. And a new soul.

47. Nothing

In my still excellent and available to read blog about Music For The Masses, I suggested that Nothing was perhaps not that good and indeed a bit overrated. I stick by that. This version is either here nor there. On the plus side, its features more metal bashing. On the negative side, it's...well...sod it. I don't like it. There you go - I said it again. The band MUST agree as they missed this off the LP version. Right?

48. Pleasure Little Treasure

A B-side which is a cool thing and my Mum's favourite Depeche Mode song. Stop the air guitar though Dave. Just stop it. Stop it now.

49. People Are People

Brilliant and powerful and all the better for the "And go....." bit on the film which is not in fact from this concert. Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group's Linda Meijer recently did some detective work and it turns out that the shot of the lighting person actually came from the Philadelphia show on 27 May. So there you go.

50. A Question Of Time

No guitars, no rockiness, just this song played quite wonderfully

51. Never Let Me Down Again

Another definitive version and the one that started off the arm waving craze I ensure I bore DM newcomers about at concerts

52. A Question Of Lust

More marvellousness from Mr Martin. 

(It was also left off the album but that does NOT negate my Nothing argument)

53. Master & Servant

A booming, hugely satisfying version of this booming, highly satisfying song

54. Just Can't Get Enough

Vince Clarke wrote this you know. He used to be in Depeche Mode. Can no longer be played in Glasgow due to our marvellous football "culture."

55. Everything Counts

Perfection.

What an album.

56. Additional Fact 1
(Thanks to Niggels for these)

This was not the first time Depeche had played in Pasadena. They also played there on 15 February 1982 at Perkins Palace. It was nice of Perkin to let them play there. The wonderous DM Live Wiki has a note of what was played that night here . Only one song was played at both this show and the Rose Bowl one. Any ideas?

57. Additional Fact 2
The Rose Bowl gig was the last time (to date) that Depeche played Sacred, Blasphemous Rumours, Nothing, Pleasure Little Treasure and People Are People live. And Pimpf too if that counts.

58 - 60 The Support Acts

58. Wire
Wire opened the show and that's about all we know as there is no setlist information available. They also played a set that night at a venue called The Scream

59. Thomas Dolby
Setlist FM says he played two songs - My Brain Is Like A Sieve and She Blinded Me With Science. I would guess there were maybe more but who knows?

60. OMD
OMD's 12 song setlist can be found here and DM Live Wiki has a recording of it here

DM and DA Pennebaker (centre)

61. 101 - The Film
Having picked D A Pennebaker as Director, the band and he decided to make the band's live performance focus of the film both in terms of actual footage and in terms of what Depeche live means to the fans. The fans are represented by the kids on the bus more of whom in a moment. I'm not going to retell the story of the film as you're all familiar with it and will have watched it hundreds of times. One thing 101 amply demonstrates is the sheer numbers of people willing to see Depeche Mode live in 1988, especially of course in America. 101 was hugely important beast for the band as it showed the world that they were a big, big thing and it paved the way for huge success of the next two tours.

Interestingly, and perhaps obviously if, like me, you've seen Martin wear a hat, then not wear a hat then wear a hat again on 101, not all the live footage came from the Rose Bowl. As Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group have discovered, in addition to the Rose Bowl footage, the shows that feature in the film seem to be those in Arlington (13 May 1988), Houston (14 May 1988), Philadelphia (27 May 1988) and Mansfield (7 June 1988). There may be more though so if you know, get in touch with Depeche's own forensic detectives at that superb Facebook group.

62. The Video
Kids today might not be familiar with video cassettes. You used to watch a film on one then, rather than simply watch it again, you had to rewind it. Life was tough then. The video was the format of choice in 1989 however and that's how 101 was released. Many people of my age or younger (slightly) will be nodding their heads nostalgically as they read this.

A video cassette. Ask your parents. Or grandparents

63. The DVD
On 9 October 2003 (in the UK anyway), Depeche leapt into the future we were already in by releasing the film on DVD. This was huge really as none of us had video players anymore. The dvd was a double release featuring the film on 1 disc with additional commentary from the band, D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus. Disc 2 features the Story of 101 documentary in full (see 12 above) and live tracks (Master & Servant, Pimpf, Behind The Wheel, Strangelove, Blasphemous Rumours, Stripped, Somebody, Black Celebration, Pleasure Little Treasure, Just Can't Get Enough, Everything Counts, Never Let Me Down Again) and interviews with Dave, Martin, Andy, Daniel Miller and Jonathon Kessler along with three of the bus kids - Christopher Hardwick, Oliver Chessler and Jay Serken.

There was a DVD screening in London on 9 October 2003 at the Prince Charles Theatre. D A Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus and Fletch.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

64-71: The Kids On The Bus

64. Oliver Chester

Oliver, he of the blue hair, is now a successful recording artist known as The Horrorist. His best moment in 101 was surely having his hair poked and prodded by the bewildered diners in the diner.

65. Sandra Fergus

At the time to 101 Sandra and Oliver were an item. Sandra's was no fan of Elvis as you may recall.

66. Christopher Hardwick

My favourite bus kid. The Vivian moment (see below), his heroic booze intake, dropping booze in the truckstop and so on all make him the star of the bus.

Oliver, Sandra and Christopher (c) Christopher Hardwick

67. Mia Decaro

Mia is picture above with Martin and Fletch.

68. Jay Serken

Jay seemed like one of the quieter, saner bus kids. "Guns N Posers...."

Jay (right)

69. Liz Lazo
Here's Liz and some guy who I recognise but can't quite place

70. Chris Parziale

Chris was very quiet, seemingly the most sensible one of the group. 

71. Maggie Mouzakitis

101 was just the start of Maggie's music career - she ended up being Oasis' tour manager for 13 years. That seems more of a sentence than a job but it must have been interesting. Here she is with one of her clients

72 - 74 But there were other people involved too

As well as the kids and occasional band members, who else was on or near the bus?

72. Dave Charest

The true hero of 101, Dave was given a job many other people wouldn't have taken yet did it without complaint. We salute you Dave. He was also responsible for some of the film's best one liners as we shall see later

73. Tamsin Lee

Listed on IMDB as Cruise Director (odd), Tamsin makes a couple of appearances. She's in the middle below beside Liz at the concert

74. Marcello Romero

Marcello was the Tour Guide apparently. That's all I have. Here's a picture of Martino Gorero instead.

75 - 101: The Best Bits of 101

As a general rule, Depeche Mode fans love 101 and everyone has favourite moments from the film. I certainly do, but in an attempt to (a) make this more of a democratic process and (b) help my 101 addled brain keep going, I opened this part to the Black Swarm to see what they liked about 101. Many of the highlights mentioned were ones I considered highlights too. Here then, in no order at all, are the best bits of 101.

75. Announcing a Concert For The Masses

Riding in in a Cadillac, throwing a football, saying ni hao to China and announcing a concert in the Rose Bowl. Wait. Depeche Mode in a stadium? In America? That'll never work...

76. Alan explains everything

Admit it - you love this bit. A bit of Black Celebration, some metal bashing and Alan in full on technical mode. Lovely stuff, to quote Alan Partridge. And no, Alan isn't coming back to Depeche Mode. Ever. Accept that and move on.

77. I said "Smile..

...motherfucker, smile." Charmed - clearly not a fan.

78. Chris can't hold his drink

Literally. "I fucked up."

79. We play butt naked

80. We're keyboard players, we don't move

81. I will sing for tickets 

"Well...you got three of the words right"

Three in one here in this glorious piece of radio show buffoonery:

82. Dave Gahan vs Taxi Driver

Dave pre mid Atlantic accent, Dave hitting the taxi drive, the taxi driver's trousers falling down...what more do you want?

83. Dave and Martin suddenly realise what's going on

The moment they look at each other and smile is just superb.

84. Vivian
"Oh Vivian/look what you've done/You shagged Chris' friend/in his own bed/on 101/Oh Vivian"

Did Chris ever return the videos I wonder?

85. The alternative dance party from hell
86. Fletch just bums around
87. Fletch forgetting that Martin is a better guitar player than him

Another three in one here. Ah... the Country and Western shop. Fletch has a go on an acoustic and then Martin says "Stand aside my friend...this is how you play guitar." And then he buys every cassette in the shop.




88. Don't Dance Too Much
Wise words Mrs Dacaro, wise words.

89. Chris gets a little drunk
Tequila, worms, loads of beer - you just know a night out with Chris would be fun.

90. Oliver and Chris attempt Route 66.
It fools no-one.

91. Who do you think I am...
Fucking Wordsworth?

92. Let's go back to the hotel
Sorry Dave. Too late. Although Alan does appear to have his bag with him so maybe he was up for it

93. "This means nothing.."
"No, no....this means something." And from that day forth, Depeche Mode collectors around the globe would pay fortunes for those stickers. Years after the tour ended. When the stickers simply wouldn't work.

94. Blasphemous Rumours gets a little too much for someone
So much so that she forgets the tune. And the words.

95. Start The Tape
Tape starts, Pimpf starts, goosebumps. Every single time.

96. Dave introduces us (well me anyway) to Roxy Music
While playing pinball. Dave not me.




97. The band The Beatles could have been
Dave on harmonica (not to be seen again until his Reading Festival "performance" with Primal Scream), Martin on guitar and Daryl Bamonte on vocals tackling  I Saw Her Standing There

98. Parked your car on the corner last night
God bless you Dave Charest.

99. The Things You Said soundcheck
Martin soundchecks in front of the kids before the live track takes over. A gorgeous moment.

100. Dave in his black pants
This received a large number of nominations on Facebook. A large number.




101. Never Let Me Down Again
A towering version of the song culminates in Dave standing on top of a large platform waving his arms. Again - goosebumps every single time. A phenomenon begins...

Thank you very much. We'll see you next time
I hope you've enjoyed this and not taken it too seriously. Any Depeche fan will tell you how important 101 is as a film and album and it's certainly something worth celebrating. Feel free to tell me how many of the Top 25 moments are wrong by the way. All I've got to do now is think of 101 more things for the 40th anniversary.

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, UNITED CENTER, CHICAGO, JUNE 1 2018

For this review we welcome back Jenny Wilson who previously reviewed the Global Spirit Tour when it stopped in Chicago last September. As you can imagine, Jenny was thrilled when Depeche said they were coming back to Chicago and so, despite both moving house that day and being delayed by the Taylor Swift masses (The Bland Swarm anyone?) Jenny headed to the United Center and saw what turned out to be a superb DM concert. Thank you very much for this Jenny and good luck in the new house. Thanks too to Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group for the pictures.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Oh, the joy of seeing your favorite band twice in the space of just 10 months! It was a bit touch and go as to whether I’d even be able to pull this show off as I’d moved into a new home that day and had a three-hour drive into Chicago, which became a four-hour drive due to a certain Taylor Swift performing very nearby at Soldier Field. 

I was so freaked that I’d miss the show, but Melissa and myself arrived just as they were starting Going Backwards. The air in the arena was thick despite the bizarrely low temperatures outside, and the crowd was raring to go. We got to our seats and I got my bearings just as It’s No Good began. 

They sounded great and had some new visuals to what they’d done the previous summer. I loved the new video for Useless and have a fun still here from it. Once again, In Your Room floored me emotionally, and Walking In My Shoes inspired. What a lovely statement that video makes. Showing it to my mom later, she said, “I want to see where the musician goes, and hear him play!” I too would love to hear his work. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The ultra-crisp, high definition video screen showing live footage in black and white was incredibly effective. I absolutely loved watching them on it, especially close ups of Martin playing his guitar. 

And that leads me to what was the highlight of the evening for me — Mr. Martin L. Gore. I must first say that Dave is my favorite singer of all the singers that ever were, but I am in love with what Martin did that night. He sounded wonderful and did a great selection of songs: The Things You Said, Home, I Want You Now. As a young DM fan of the age of thirteen, I could have been forgiven for not fully appreciating Martin, who, at the time, kind of frightened me, if I’m honest. I was always so busy being transfixed by Dave of the velvet voice, and so appreciative of his giddy stage presence, that I haven’t fully, publicly acknowledged Martin’s deep talents in the way I should. His rendition of Home was so thoroughly moving and special. Watching him go out on the catwalk when he was just so smiley and triumphant, with his gorgeous Gretsch guitar hanging from his hip, made me so very happy. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

As the show went on, I was overwhelmed by the incredible songwriting this man has achieved over his career and felt an immense sense of gratitude towards him. As the band ripped into each song, so many emotions and memories came up as all the deeply familiar sounds and words poured from the stage. Lyrics and rhythms that have throbbed from the speakers of hundreds of club nights in Phoenix, Green Bay, Chicago, Madison, London, and Bedford and back to Madison that still make me dance and sing until I can hardly breathe. Thoughts of blasphemy, despair, and lust that I would never openly express, being shared with me in the dark on my Walkman. Songs that friends and I cried along to after bad dates and break ups, and sang along to on night rides through the desert, with the windows down. Rhythms, and most importantly, two beautiful, and very different, voices, that had been there for as long as I could remember, soothing and spurring me on through life’s peaks and troughs and all those strange waiting rooms in between. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

That was the theme of the night for me. A deep sense of gratitude for all that this incredible band has done for me and so many that I know. They have made me feel understood when I was convinced no one understood me. They have always created beauty from dark things. 

Seeing Depeche Mode live is deep, dark, emotional, and damn fun, all at the same time. I adore you, gentlemen, and can’t wait to see you again.

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

Thanks Jenny

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, 3 JUNE 2018

Another review, another new reviewer. Jessica DeBiase Stevens, who is a fellow Depeche Facebook Takeoveree, was at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on 3 June to take in another huge and hugely well received Global Spirit Tour concert. Jessica had a tremendous spot right by the catwalk and, as you'll read, she got very close to Dave. A great read - thanks for this and for the pictures Jessica.

I was beyond excited to attend the Depeche Mode Global Spirit Tour stop at Philadelphia, PA on June 3rd, 2018 – my 10th show on The Global Spirit Tour. As a central New Jersey native, I always would attend the DM tour-stops in the tri-state area with my family: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania …and sometimes do the longer trek down to Washington, D.C. too. It was a family bonding event that started when I was 12 years old during the SOFAD Tour. Since then I have attended every single tour (multiple shows), and my family has moved out to the west coast to retire – so I typically attend the east coast shows with my husband, and west coast shows with my parents. The family will all unite in Berlin on July 25th for the final show of this tour – a fun surprise Christmas Gift. 

However, tonight – I decided to take one of my life-long best friends, Candy Brink, who has been a fan of Depeche Mode, but had never seen them live in concert. I was thrilled to take her to her first show, and experience Depeche Mode through her “newbie eyes” with floor seats, row 7 directly next to the catwalk! 

Candy (left) and Jessica

It was a cold dreary day in Philadelphia for early June, and the rain certainly put a bit of a damper on our plans to unite with other friends going to the show with a traditional pre-concert tailgate. Instead, we all met at the venue around 7 pm to catch up over a few drinks. Unfortunately, we all decided to pass on the opening act, EMA – which sounded pretty good from the bar area we were at. 

Around 8:30 pm we headed down to our seats and lined up around the catwalk eagerly waiting for the show to begin. The lights went down around 8:40 pm and The Beatles Revolution began to play. There were no major changes to the setlist that the band has released for this leg of the US Tour – but here are some notable experiences and highlights from the show: 

1) Going Backwards – in particular, there was a noticeable divide in the arena on the engagement during this song. It’s tough to figure out if it was purely because it’s a new track from the Spirit album, or if it is echoing the continuous political divide happening in the USA. Regardless, there were fans around us expressing and shouting how there needs to be a movement for change! 

2) Useless – since the LA shows back in October, it’s been a warm welcome to see so many Ultra tracks added to the setlist. I really enjoy the addition of Useless, and the visuals up on the screens really add an extra element to the live experience. I think Ultra gets a lot of love on this tour because the album plays well in a live atmosphere….maybe one day they will modify or add in The Love Thieves, and then my life would be complete! Anything is possible, since I’ve seen Martin sing Insight during a show! 

3) Cover Me – This is by far my favorite song from the new album. Dave’s energy during this song was contagious – this is when the enthusiasm and passion in the arena shifted and the fans were fully committed to becoming Dave’s slaves for the rest of the show. The minute he walked down the catwalk he was screaming and getting the fans all riled up to clap. I completely melted when he grabbed my hand while saying hello to me and all of the fans at the end of the stage. I was also able to snag some great shots of him floating like a ballerina/swan at the end of the catwalk. You can tell he is quite passionate about this song and wants a loud and positive reaction from the audience (which obviously the fans were going wild). 

4) The Things You Said – this was the first time I have ever seen this song live, as it has not been played live since the Music For The Masses Tour. Another great surprise was that it wasn’t the acoustic version. Nothing wrong with acoustic versions of songs (as Martin’s voice is STUNNING) but you need the backing track to make this song come alive! Martin’s voice is incredible – and my friend Candy said she was blown away by the pipes on Martin! 

5) Everything Counts – during the last two minutes of this song, Dave came out to the end of the catwalk to encourage fans to sing the chorus “The Grabbing Hands, Grab All They Can….Everything Counts in Large Amounts” – I was able to snag a video of this, with Dave holding the mic out to the audience then putting it down by his feet to hit the beat while stomping on the stage – you can hear him screaming while pounding his chest – I was actually surprised how much my iPhone 8 mic picked up during this moment. Apologies in advance for me screaming out to Dave like a child – but I couldn’t help myself! Candy and I caught his attention and he looked at us with a huge smile and laughed - and I felt like I was going to pass out. Incredible experience!!!

6) Stripped – at this point in the setlist, Dave started to actually look a bit tired, and his voice sounded a bit strained and cracking. Martin and Peter helped step it up and was louder than usual with the backing vocals. Again, I’ve attended quite a few shows on this tour, and this was the first time I saw and experienced Dave in this state. In his defense, we are having a very terrible allergy season on the east coast – and I don’t think the average fan would have noticed. As soon as the song ended Dave took a swig from his thermos, gargled and kept drinking. I also noticed he was clearing his throat quite a bit before Enjoy the Silence began. 

7) Enjoy The Silence – One of my favorite songs from my childhood days – and a huge fan favorite. The energy of the crowd really helped pick up Dave’s momentum – and gave him the adrenaline to keep moving forward. I believe Dave was over compensating for his voice and asking for even more fan engagement then normal – which the crowd was into and helped carry Dave’s voice for the remainder of the song. It was clear that Martin’s backup vocals were stronger to help Dave as well. My friend Candy took notice of Andy Fletcher during this song and dubbed him the “keyboard cat” – as it was clear his keyboard was not plugged in and he was pounding and hitting the keys hard with zero rhythm – a great observation from a newbie at the show….I love Andy, but he needs to fake it to make it look better! 

8) Never Let Me Down Again – This was another song where Dave’s voice continued to sound strained and cracking a bit. Again, the average fan wouldn’t have noticed – but I’ve attended more then 10 shows this tour – and his voice didn’t sound like smooth velvet. The backup vocals were strong to get Dave through the song, and Dave commanded the audience for participation – which everyone joined in with great excitement. After attending every tour since SOFAD it really amazes me to see this song live and watch the stadiums and arenas all follow Dave’s commands with the wave – its incredible to be a part of, and everyone goes WILD! 

9) Walking In My Shoes – This is also another one of my favorite songs and it plays so well live – seeing the bond between Dave and Christian Eigner on drums is incredible, and never gets old. They are so in synch, and really play off each other’s energy! Something that you get to experience when you are within the first 10 rows is Dave propping his shoe up on a speaker in front of the center floor section and mouthing to the crowd (all while showing off his shoe) – “fuck yeah” while throwing the “rock out” hand gesture – it felt like Dave was speaking intimately to each and every one of us in the first 10 rows! 

10) A Question of Time – Loved seeing Martin jump around a bit and really get into this song – Dave was loving the vibe between the band and the crowd – and after this song ended Dave shouted a big “fuck yeah!”- something I have not heard him do since the Devotional Tour – everyone around us was laughing and responded with a loud roar and applause! 

11) Personal Jesus – a total crowd pleaser and captures the arenas attention every single time this is played. Crowd participation is at the all-time high for this show, and it’s clear that they do not want the band to stop playing! Again, I noticed Dave’s energy to slow down a bit, and he heavily leaned on the audience for participation to help his voice get him through the song – which was not difficult to do! 

Overall, as always Depeche Mode put on a fantastic show! It was great to see them add Philadelphia as a tour stop, since it’s been quite a while since they have played for this city. Candy also loved every minute of the show – even when she was not familiar with a song, she said that Dave’s energy was contagious and pulled her in to join the fans raging and dancing around her. I hope Dave gets his rest – I can’t wait to see them in Brooklyn on June 6th and at their final show in Berlin on July 25th!!!

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Thank you Jessica!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, 27 MAY 2018

It's great to have so many people involved in this project. There have been people kind enough to review more than one show, there have been people I've specifically sought out for reviews and there are people who get in touch because they want to tell their Depeche story. Even now, two hundred and seventy eight years into this tour (edit - 13 months) it's really great to see new people joining in and one of those is Guillermo Ariza from Colleyville, Texas. Welcome Guillermo and thank you for this great review of the San Antonio show and the fantastic pictures.

The Global Spirit Tour started for me with the private rehearsal in LA on April last year, being there in such a small venue seeing my favorite band in the world playing for only 40 people was an unreal experience; singing to Martin’s mic during A Question Of Lust or holding Dave’s forearm during Cover Me were unimaginable experiences until that hot afternoon in California. But everything comes to an end and the Global Spirit Tour finished for me in San Antonio on May 27th, and it couldn’t have been in a better way.

I was lucky enough to secure a front row ticket for the show, right in front of where Martin does his thing every night of the tour; the last time I saw Depeche Mode on front row was nine years ago in Mexico City for the Tour of the Universe and unlike now, I got that spot for being in line for 20 hours, good old days. Coming back to 2018, besides getting a good ticket for the show I wanted to stay in the nicest hotel in town, part for pampering my wife and daughter and part for hoping to see the band. Wishful thinking.

The day came and as we arrived to the Hotel Emma, the first thing I said was “Hey Martin! How are you?” He was at the hotel’s entrance with Peter greeting a friend or journalist, God knows who. I don’t know what he has but every time I see him I just feel that there’s this whole aura of peace and happiness surrounding him. The following day, the day of the concert, I was hanging around the hotel’s library and lobby, and after getting to know around twenty people, I saw Andy and Martin and was lucky enough to get a couple of autographs from each. Martin told me that he wasn’t supposed to give autographs in hotels but I convinced him with my eloquent line of “C’mon Martin be reasonable”. So off I go to the concert, the ticket included the VIP reception, for which I was terribly disappointed by the limited number of drinks (two). I didn’t care about the food as I just had lunch but this was far from the VIP experience I had in Italy on the Delta Machine Tour, which had unlimited drinks, all sorts of cheeses and Italian hostesses, all before and after the show, not just before as happened at the AT&T Center.

After the VIP reception I headed to my seat. BRMC were really good and here I was just minutes away from the start of a great concert. Revolution started so you knew the black figures would slowly start emerging on the stage, Martin would start playing the first notes on his guitar to give Dave (with sunglasses) the perfect intro on the second level of the stage. I just love this tour’s opening, the band’s rendition of Going Backwards along with Anton’s background sure delivers an epic start. Then came It’s No Good and one of my personal favorites, Barrel Of A Gun, which was the first song I ever heard of Depeche Mode when I was 9, and got hooked for life.

“Good evening San Antonio!”, it never fails, and it didn’t fail here, you could see and hear that the audience was fully engaged and eager for this night - the band hadn’t visited the Alamo city in almost 13 years. Then the live version of the Jacques Lu Cont remix of A Pain That I'm Used To was followed by the powerful Useless, although the intro didn’t sound as daunting as in previous tour’s versions. I missed Precious at the beginning of the tour but luckily here it was delivered in a beautiful performance with images of the band’s members fading away on the background. World In My Eyes was next, with the usual crutch holding, and then one of the most magnificent moments of the tour, Cover Me. You can feel and see that Dave really enjoys singing this beautiful song and he is proud of its simple yet profound lyrics. 

Then it was Martin’s turn at the center of the stage and he delivered the surprise of this leg of the tour with The Things You Said. This song alone could make any tour night worthy. This gorgeous melody was followed by Home and then Dave was back on the stage for In Your Room. A powerful performance of Where’s The Revolution made the whole arena rumble and they then just to led us into total frenzy with Everything Counts. Stripped was next and then while kneeling with his arms pointing to the sky, Martin waited for the beginning of Enjoy The Silence. He was all smiles during the song as usual. Never Let Me Down Again sounded powerful and glorious, accompanied with the encompassing lights and the sea of arms waving; not even at the Hollywood Bowl have I seen such a passionate connection from the audience during this song.

The encore took place with the audience holding their cell phones to show Martin and Peter a black night full of stars before they delivered the urgent I Want You Now. Then we saw what it’s arguably the best video on this tour with Walking In My Shoes, it just makes the song much more powerful, although I would’ve liked to see a more political take on the subject, like about refugees, but this video fits perfectly. A Question Of Time has surprisingly replaced I Feel You for a while now and this led us to the rockier version of Personal Jesus which the band has used for closing all shows this tour.

This was a fantastic night, the band delivered a very passionate show and the crowd responded back accordingly. As they were walking out from the stage Peter threw at me one of his guitar picks and one of the roadies gave me a setlist of the show, What else could I have wanted? Back in the hotel I saw the guys at the bar and met some great diehard fans as well.

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Thanks Guillermo!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO, MAY 24 2018

Who saw The Things You Said coming then? It's nice to still get a surprise or two as a tour this long rumbles on so that song returning really was a treat on night 1 of leg 5. Would it stay in the set however or would they do a Halo in Dublin and bin it after one night? The answer would become clear in Sacramento and Kristin Vogel-Campbell was there to review it for the blog. Kristin has previously reviewed night 1 at the Hollywood Bowl for this project and she's one of the reviewers I've managed to meet up with on the tour so it's great to have her back. Thanks for the review and pictures Kristin. Any pictures that aren't hers are credited.

I’m extremely lucky and privileged to be able to travel and see my favorite band in the world, Depeche Mode. One of the greatest gifts I’ve received as a result of following this band is the friendships I have made along the way. Some have faded as the years have progressed, some have imploded for one reason or another, and some have yet to fully blossom. Going to a Depeche Mode concert isn’t just about the music, as you probably know at this point. It’s about the human connections, seeing some of your dearests once every four years. That’s what has kept me one of the devout for all of these years, and will continue as the year go on.

After having seen Depeche Mode eleven times last year, both in the States and in the UK, I was perfectly content with waiting and saving for the next few years. And then….the band announces they are coming back to the US for a handful of shows! Immediately the anxiety of purchasing the right tickets and not breaking the bank return. I was definitely excited to see DM make a stop in Sacramento, about two hours from my home in San Francisco. While Oakland and San Jose are more convenient by far, the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (which opened up in late 2016) is a fantastic spot to see a concert, with plenty of meet up spots nearby.

Tickets go on sale, and I manage to get 16th row floor seats for myself and my friend Kelly. Kelly and I met on the Depeche Mode Message Board over ten years ago and until the day of the concert, has never met in person.

The train is coming, the train is coming...for a two hour ride from San Francisco to Sacramento

In homage to my friend Jamie Highland’s “Train of Pain” endeavor, I chose to take Amtrak to the show. Kelly also took Amtrak and we met in the station and basically started talking back and forth while we had known each other in real life for decades. That’s just how it is with Depeche Mode fans.

After taking in some of the local sights with another friend, Kelly and I headed back to our hotel to prep and preen for the show, and then made it over to the Golden 1 Center, where we started running into friends. Being amongst other like-minded friends, this is where the pre-concert hype really starts! After chatting with some people outside the venue, it’s time to go in. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is playing as we walk inside the venue. Unfortunately, the line for alcohol is too long and we don’t make it to our seats before they leave the stage.

We get to our seats during the pre-show music that we are all so familiar with at this point. When I bought our tickets I was excited for our 17th row seats...but didn’t realize they were dead center! Tickets for Sacramento were also significantly less expensive than the other show in California in Anaheim, which was one of the main reasons I didn’t do both shows.

You can’t really beat this view..

The setlist for the Sacramento show mirrored the setlist from Tuesday night’s show, which was reviewed by the spectacular Rob Rohm, including THOSE TWO SONGS that the collective worldwide Black Swarm freaked out over when the setlist leaked. Right from the start, the entire band looked and felt very fresh and rested. Dave was all over the stage, and was full of energy. This onstage energy translated to the crowd throughout the entire the show. Everyone around us was up, dancing, and singing the entire time….with one exception. There was a drunk couple in the row right in front of us who were participating in some very private behaviors out in the public. It took us all the way until Home to have them removed, mainly because the woman appeared to be too intoxicated to make her own decisions. What was funny at first became slightly scary, but thankfully security took care of her.

During Barrel Of A Gun Dave either forgot the words to the second verse, or the microphone went temporarily out (I am guessing it was the former). Didn’t affect the performance one bit, but I always find it slightly amusing when we see a slip up. Just goes to show that Dave is human, just like the rest of us.

Our vantage point for Cover Me was probably the best of the twelve shows I have seen on this tour. The end of the catwalk was to our right, about four rows up. This has become one of my favorite parts of the shows from this tour, especially seeing how much Dave was enjoying himself in Sacramento. I am not one to take video during shows, but I had to capture it from our vantage point. I’m glad I have that memory.

Now the moment we were all waiting for: would Martin sing The Things You Said?! I know how excited I was when I heard the band had performed Halo in Dublin, only to have it removed from the setlist for my shows in the UK. Martin comes out in his beautiful white linen suit, and….IT BEGINS. Not too many people around us recognized the beginning synth line, but Kelly and I screamed like those girls in 101. Just in case anyone was recording us for posterity, we knew all of the lines and didn’t mess them up like that poor girl captured on camera in the movie.

The audience at the Golden 1 Center was the loudest of any Depeche Mode concert I have been to, save the crowd at The Royal Albert Show in 2010. Sorry Hollywood Bowl, you were definitely outmatched here. In an arena show in America, I could hear the crowd trying to start the “ooooooh….OOOOHHHHHHH” at the end of Home. It didn’t catch on, but it was coming from in front of me (naturally, where all the $600-900 ticket holders are), as well as behind me (the common people). I was also completely overwhelmed by how loud the audience was after Never Let Me Down Again and when Martin came out for the beginning of the encore. The sound was almost deafening, and it was come from all around. People also turned on the lights on their cell phones and were waving them back and forth. The screams went on for a good three to four minutes. Northern California, you truly are the best.

As expected, Martin performed I Want You Now, which is probably one of my favorite songs that he sings. If anyone took video during this song, you may hear a banshee-like screech coming from the middle of the floor (that would be me). The rest of the encore was almost predictable...almost (see what I did there? - hooray! APA), with the deletion of I Feel You. At this point in the set, I am on autopilot as a fan, and already thinking about the walk to the afterparty and how my feet are NOT going to like me in the morning. Try Walking In My Shoes indeed. I was wearing 3 inch wedges, not 6-7 inch heels like the subject of Anton’s accompanying video.

The band finishes Personal Jesus and comes to the front of the stage to take their bows, save poor Fletch who manages a slight bend. Is this the last time I am seeing Depeche Mode? Could this have been it? Dave said “see you next time”...so it’s can’t be it. I am holding you to your word Mr. Gahan.

Being a Thursday night before a three day holiday weekend in the States, I was expecting more people to come out to the afterparty, at the pleasantly named Knobs and Knockers. I did get to catch up with a dear friend who lives in Southern California, and spent some time with Kelly and another friend, who showed up looking very Alan Wilder-esque in a gorgeous leather jacket. Post-concert bliss is a lovely thing, and we eventually made it back to the hotel room around 2:45am after a night of dancing and basking in the afterglow.

I’ve said it many times, but I need to say it again. Thank you Depeche Mode for the gift of friendship. I cannot even begin to name all of the connections I’ve made, but they have truly made me a better person. “Finally I’ve found that I belong here.”

Kristin (right)

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Thanks Kristin!

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, HONDA CENTER, ANAHEIM, 22 MAY 2018

Welcome back. The fifth leg of the Global Spirit Tour has begun and the band started with a show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on 22 May 2018. Rob Rohm was there and this is his review. You may recall that Rob has reviewed for the blog previously on the tour (San Diego) and this is yet another cracking read ending with yet another guitar pick success for Rob. He must have a magnet that attracts them or something. Thanks very much for the review, the pictures and the superb videos Rob. 

I speculated there would be a second US leg of the Global Spirit Tour because of the huge gap in the schedule between South American and EU Festival Dates. As 2018 began and weeks passed without an announcement, I did get a bit concerned. Finally, in February it was announced! And what an announcement, the second leg of the US tour would open with a show at the Honda Center in Anaheim! This is as close as it can get for me. My house is 2 miles (3 km) away from the Honda Center. I’m near the freeway and it’s 2 freeway exits away. A $6 Uber ride. Needless to say, I was ecstatic!

The first order of business was to secure tickets. Luckily I ended up with front row on the floor. During the on sale, I first purchased a pair of fifth row tickets but then found a single in the front row. Knowing what a hardcore of a fan I am, my wife told me to me sit up in the front row while she sat in fifth row with someone else (my Mom). And as luck would have it, I was in seat 4 and my friends Adam, Lisa, and Jeni had seats 1, 2, and 3.

Since the venue was so close to my home, I thought I’d invite some Devotees to my house for a pre-party the day of the show. Since a lot of us had VIP party packages, I held the pre-party at my house from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. The VIP party was beginning at 5:30 at Honda Center. This is the first time I’ve ever thrown a party with an end time. The timing worked out perfectly.

I started a Facebook group called Depeche Mode Global Fan Group after I was a part of Depeche Mode’s Facebook Fan Takeover last summer. The group currently has almost 5,500 members from all across the globe. I invited some of the members of the group that were attending the Anaheim show to the pre-party at my house. It was a great group of people, some I had just met in person for the first time but as we all know Depeche Mode fans are like a family.

When we hit the Honda Center for the VIP party, there was a merch table set up right next to our check-in location. I bought a poster and t-shirt and put it in the car before we went inside (our friend Jeni drove us from the pre-party). We checked in and received our VIP lanyards, wristbands, and drink tickets. The VIP event was held in the Shock Top Terrace on the Club Level of the Honda Center. We were given VIP exclusive Depeche Mode branded black bags that are reversible with printing on both sides in different colors (gray and red). Inside the bag there was also a Depeche Mode branded wireless speaker. The food was really good with a self-serve taco bar and churros for dessert. While walking to the VIP area, one of our friends, Leah, recorded a snippet of soundcheck. It was Martin Gore performing The Things You Said.

The VIP experience at Honda Center was a bit above the Hollywood Bowl shows. We headed down to our seats after almost 2 hours in the VIP area.

VIP Party - Rob in the centre

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club was the opening act. I’m not too familiar with their music but they sounded great.

During the intermission between bands, I joined a group of fans that had hosted the Depeche Mode page during the Facebook Fan Takeover including Depeche Mode’s webmaster, Daniel “Brat” Barassi.

Takeoverees

All eyes were on Anaheim as fans across the globe were curious as to what changes might be in store for this next leg of the tour. When Depeche Mode last played Southern California, they had significantly reshaped their set list with changes that would flow across the rest of the tour. The familiar intro with the Beatles’ Revolution and the Spirit feet marching lead into Going Backwards. The beautiful color splatter video backdrop and Dave’s silhouette dancing across the upper stage is still in place.

It’s No Good was the second song, this was one of the surprise changes at the Hollywood Bowl that has been a staple in the set list since. Barrel Of A Gun and A Pain That I’m Used To were followed by Useless and Precious, two other tracks that made their appearance at the Hollywood Bowl shows. Useless had a new video backdrop for this part of the tour.

World In My Eyes was up next and the backdrop features a silhouette of a young Dave Gahan from the Violator era with his hands forming the familiar glasses the band members were photographed doing. Stellar versions of all of these songs as usual.

Cover Me has been one of Dave’s favorite songs to interact with the audience on this tour. At the Hollywood Bowl, I filmed Dave up close during Cover Me. Honda Center had the traditional catwalk the band has used this tour (unlike Hollywood Bowl). As the song entered the middle section, I made my way from my front row seat across the floor to the catwalk. I captured some video and you’ll notice in the middle of the clip that Dave is actually telling some fans to “Get the fuck up!” since they were sitting down.

As alluded to earlier, Martin soundchecked with The Things You Said and he delivered. This was a very welcomed set change. Really cool to hear it live again.

Home was a standard rendition but the singing by the fans at the end seemed a bit minimal in comparison to previous concerts. In Your Room is one of my favorite tracks and I’m happy they continued playing it this second leg. I love that it’s the album version of the track. It was accompanied by the same video footage that’s been used all tour. Where’s The Revolution had all of us raising our fists in the front row in unison with the chorus. Everything Counts was up next and I was hoping to capture a nice clip of us in the front row on the video screens but they changed up the video feed a bit for this song.

The closers for the regular set are three of my all-time favorite Depeche Mode tracks: Stripped, Enjoy The Silence, and Never Let Me Down Again.

This potentially could be my last show this tour. I was fortunate enough to attend their rehearsal in April 2017 at S.I.R. Studios in Hollywood with 40 other Devotees. I then saw them in Paris in July, followed by shows in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and the four Hollywood Bowl shows. I haven’t completely ruled out heading to Europe for one of the summer festival gigs but as of the moment this 10th show I’ve seen on this tour is my last. I mention it as I was taking in the experience with that perspective. I had been so hyped to see them in my hometown but it’s bittersweet for it to come to an end.

The encore started with Martin Gore’s other lead vocal track from Music For The Masses, I Want You Now. It was a beautiful piano rendition of the song.

Walking In My Shoes was the second encore. Being seated directly in front of Martin, it’s always cool to watch him play guitar. Most people are unaware that he uses an Ebow on Walking In My Shoes. The EBow is a hand-held electronic bow for guitar. I shot this photo of him using it:

A Question of Time was a nice set change from what they played on the first US leg. It was a hard-driving energetic performance. The second leg features a shorter 20 song set list, so the final song was Personal Jesus. I don’t think anybody wanted the show to end. After the song Martin threw his guitar pick to me. Everything came full circle for this Global Spirit Tour. He handed me a pick after their rehearsal in April of 2017 and also threw me one at the last Hollywood Bowl show. I now have one from my hometown gig too, potentially the final show for me on this Amazing Global Spirit Tour.

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Thanks Rob!

MUSIC FOR THE MASSES - SOME NON DEPECHE MODE REVIEWS AND PREVIEWS

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll have noticed that the content has not been as varied as it might have been due to the mid life crisis that is The Global Spirit Tour Project. To find out what that is, click the link there to see. This is a non DM related post and it's going to stay that way.

The seemingly never ending Depeche tour has meant that, the odd review aside, this blog has focused entirely on one band since May last year. That'll remain the focus in a week's time when they kick off again so this is the ideal chance to talk about some other music that's been on heavy rotation in recent weeks. 

First up, Happy Robots Records, home of the superb Rodney Cromwell has put out a couple of superb releases in recent weeks. Sinosa's If U Must Dance is a curious but wonderful mix of electrpop and skewed disco with Kraftwerk lurking somewhere in the background. It's available on the label's Bandcamp page digitally and on striking clear vinyl 7".

Label boss Rodney Cromwell is also back. The superb Comrades takes off from where the still marvellous Age Of Anxiety left off. It's a prime slice of synthpop of a quality that is harder and harder to find. The song heads up the forthcoming e.p. Rodney's English Disco which adds three new tracks and 4 remixes and is available digitally and on 7" red vinyl from 25 May. As with all Rodney Cromwell releases, it's one you don't want to miss.

Seeing as we are talking about bands I've gone on a lot about on here before, the news that Apostille is back is a great thing. His new album Choose Life is out on the 8th of June and it is destined to be one of my records of the year. The first single from it, Feel Bad, came out in March and it's simply brilliant, as is its video.

Sticking with Glasgow and its seemingly endless supply of outstanding electronic artists, HQFU's new album For Inhumanity (reviewed here) is still proving hard to put down and is highly recommended. 

Graham Crossan, ex of Machines In Heaven, released two new pieces of music via his Bandcamp page in March with the dark electronics of Feel Everything (below) and earlier in the year in January with the superb GLVXGOW (Skip Ad) e.p. Graham's work with his new band Polis is also well 

Going back to the pop side of things, Priest returned in April with a new e.p. The Lost Lions which is available in all the usual digital places. As you'd expect, it's yet more synthpop goodness and features the superb Our Time Will Come which came out earlier this year.

Finally, three releases I'm looking forward to taking with me on the road to Berlin for the final two DM gigs of the year. The 25th of May sees the return of blood blood, Davey from Machines In Heaven's side project. Black Tarot promises to be another superb blood blood offering and the small sample available on Facebook certainly whets the appetite.

The new Your Silent Face release, The Fallen e.p., which is out this Thursday is a full on techno affair and from the Soundcloud preview (below), there's a lot to be excited about

Finally, Gus Harrower is back with a new single Wonder on the first of June. Gus' justified reputation as one of Scotland's best new singer songwriters has been enhanced by an ever increasing number of live shows and Wonder is only going to see his reputation grow and grow. You can find all his releases on his Soundcloud page (https://soundcloud.com/gusharrower) and on Spotify.

And that's that bar for a couple of things. Firstly, other than very occasional things like this, I'm going to step back from reviewing music on here. Unfortunately, the combination of further Depeche Mode projects on the way and real life mean I don't have the time to do bands justice and there's no point in providing half arsed reviews as that's not fair on the people that work so hard on their music. Thanks very much to everyone who has sent me so much music over the last few years. From it's start as the home of Depeche related geekery to what it became, running the review part of the blog has given me so much pleasure and introduced me to so many lovely people and bands. Thanks to everyone who's ever sent me things to review and sorry if I didn't get round to them.

Secondly, and not at all related to anything above, I just wanted to say how sad I was at the untimely passing of Scott Hutchison last week. He was a genius and Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight is proof of that alone. Like everyone else, my thoughts are with Scott's family and friends  - he will be much missed.