tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24793827185297184062024-03-16T18:52:01.025+00:00Almost Predictable. AlmostA DEPECHE MODE SITE
DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.comBlogger623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-53159183945455467982024-03-15T17:15:00.000+00:002024-03-15T17:15:57.674+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, O2 ARENA, PRAGUE, 22 FEBRUARY 2024<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVqtla6XLH8M83xkXDZ7QhGdkfjAVPsDQgm5tyrQUuti9bElVduZ4xLidtboRvlkTGbD8bJ5hlRgdEFzD3eyMGaGwLrR2IoQUNWK4GJNvTD-FE8P-tPH8XcvtnaQ6_vyxrIVWE420PMDZKG0YvHwonh3QGfhDWG9Uc4JOyngV4SCgPm-URwkzrtnXkhQ/s2048/Wave%20in%20Prague.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVqtla6XLH8M83xkXDZ7QhGdkfjAVPsDQgm5tyrQUuti9bElVduZ4xLidtboRvlkTGbD8bJ5hlRgdEFzD3eyMGaGwLrR2IoQUNWK4GJNvTD-FE8P-tPH8XcvtnaQ6_vyxrIVWE420PMDZKG0YvHwonh3QGfhDWG9Uc4JOyngV4SCgPm-URwkzrtnXkhQ/w400-h225/Wave%20in%20Prague.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture courtesy of </span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HáňaPáňa Křížová</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>The last time we heard from Natalia Burgos was in September 2023 when she attended two of the incredible shows Depeche Mode played at Foro Sol in Mexico City. She set off on her travels again in February this year and ended up in Prague. Here is her great review of the Depeche show there in February. All photos are Natalia's unless otherwise credited.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz4BDLcDwGfBsyeID03U9KSwsUywkdQuADIkk_yqky1gIKw4wfA_pFzcHbQDiktBmkJfMUsYG1a5UV4ABuz6ePSvy_3-W3aO3Is5hBQJx3DT_t1asmMg58NLRITiR7Sx91bl4P-Q_-VwlaAVxkh-wm5Abqo_QdMCzor1WQYJqnf7UxjiDC25fXoqt3EI/s1322/417549002_10161309883938739_3603646246109803476_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1322" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz4BDLcDwGfBsyeID03U9KSwsUywkdQuADIkk_yqky1gIKw4wfA_pFzcHbQDiktBmkJfMUsYG1a5UV4ABuz6ePSvy_3-W3aO3Is5hBQJx3DT_t1asmMg58NLRITiR7Sx91bl4P-Q_-VwlaAVxkh-wm5Abqo_QdMCzor1WQYJqnf7UxjiDC25fXoqt3EI/w400-h189/417549002_10161309883938739_3603646246109803476_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">It was October 2023 and I did not have any clear plans to travel to Europe from my home in Colombia. I had a family trip to Spain in mind, but things only fell into place by the end of that month and of course, not many Depeche Mode concert dates fitted my travel plans by then. I made a list and started checking the gig or gigs that I would to try to target (preferably gigs in places to do some sightseeing too). The concerts that suited my timeframe were Amsterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen, but I ditched the possibility because I had already been in those cities before, so the remaining options were Hamburg and Prague. Without thinking too much I picked Prague despite that fact that my weird travel timing would only allow me to go to the first date, the 22nd of February.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I was absolutely thrilled with the idea of seeing DM there; after Fletcher’s passing, I had checked an article of the boys visiting Prague in 1988 and the photos that Anton took of them during that opportunity were gorgeous, immersed in such a special vibe. I said to myself, if I don’t manage to see DM on the 22nd at least I will have the wonderful chance to know a bit of a new, wonderful city, so by the end of November I managed to book a flight to the Czech capital.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4290MY_9uCSDfO-g9OTeqA1pMZe7OVl1VwG_1nargadQ3eKKgK0CXtnSrzAw4r_XfK7yliGG3H-XpAvO1ZhJwvZjiSIum8VjVA8gsjCRpdpkEnq29RpuqtjwQA4zkXbf1at7LLR3rW9sbLELOF64IFAOlt05qDoBtLs7kAxZNhyphenhyphennNeQGjen1SecGNVaU/s1600/AP%20T%20shirt.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1312" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4290MY_9uCSDfO-g9OTeqA1pMZe7OVl1VwG_1nargadQ3eKKgK0CXtnSrzAw4r_XfK7yliGG3H-XpAvO1ZhJwvZjiSIum8VjVA8gsjCRpdpkEnq29RpuqtjwQA4zkXbf1at7LLR3rW9sbLELOF64IFAOlt05qDoBtLs7kAxZNhyphenhyphennNeQGjen1SecGNVaU/w328-h400/AP%20T%20shirt.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I packed my mode travel kit: a brand new Almost Predictable Almost T-shirt (thanks David!), a cute DM tote bag with a beautiful print of King Dave in ETS that I bought in Mexico City and a Colombian CD edition of Ultra, just in the remote case of finding Martin Gore or Dave Gahan for an autograph (wishful thinking!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, fast forward to February 2024, I am in Prague and thank goodness I have great devotee friends that helped me search for a ticket. I got it the day before, but I also had some problems with my stupid Ticketmaster account and for a while it seemed I wouldn't be able to complete the transfer process of the ticket, despite the fact I went to a pair of booths in Prague but they were closed. Finally, things straightened out on their own and I could see the ticket on my phone by the end of the day. Phew!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also saw a group of ladies with DM hoodies at a restaurant, and during breakfast, a group of people was singing along to ETS, I was also lectured by a Turkish souvenir seller saying that I should better be listening to salsa instead of “gringo techno music” by judging my tote bag (chuckles).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoFInkoTpBuWfj632WPAcgru4-TehJtjeVEkL5U7GhL21RBj827XsigoARE-FjsyX_DxAkhbVH_AUV02gT5bzFUVDR5d_6YVuQ-oXTDp3fE9EoQrQFLiBYUSwMMWeygK2hUkt5CQohSk0MiWKdzamJdWtnQJ1vtpiO5iccm7su3znkcjByoFbiPTKbk8/s6000/Charles%20Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoFInkoTpBuWfj632WPAcgru4-TehJtjeVEkL5U7GhL21RBj827XsigoARE-FjsyX_DxAkhbVH_AUV02gT5bzFUVDR5d_6YVuQ-oXTDp3fE9EoQrQFLiBYUSwMMWeygK2hUkt5CQohSk0MiWKdzamJdWtnQJ1vtpiO5iccm7su3znkcjByoFbiPTKbk8/w400-h266/Charles%20Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, at this point, I was going to a seated area for the very first time, for what I think might be my last opportunity to witness DM live. Sigh. Nostalgia and excitement kicks in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to recognise that I’ve been extremely lucky, tons of devotees from South America and Australia had hopes of getting some Memento Mori Tour dates and things went downhill unfortunately.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In retrospect, I feel grateful for DM. They were the first band that I saw abroad with my very own savings and since then I’ve found pleasure in planning trips around concerts. I’ve had the chance to see them in marvellous places, from northern Moscow to southern Buenos Aires, it’s certainly has been a wonderful bunch of journeys with lots of cherished memories.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, let’s go to the 02 Arena, I arrived around 7pm and the organisation was impeccable, I went through the security check very easily, there were no queues and the entry was smooth and fast. In my eyes, it is a pretty cool venue, with lots of places to buy drinks and promotional merch too (I bought a plastic commemorative Memento Mori cup there). I loved the sweatshirt that had “MODE” printed on the front but it was rather expensive, I thought it was made in thicker cotton material like the one used for hoodies but it was more like a T-shirt fabric, so I wasn’t convinced in the end. I couldn’t get rid of my coat in the cloakroom because I didn’t have any cash, what a damn burden for my tropical self (in Prague you can pay almost everything with cards but this was not the case).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also saw HáňaPáňa Křížová looking splendid in a wonderful King Dave costume, she has kindly provided some pictures of this show for the report.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WFjShPvPVNsVIAI-UDDlbjzaWOoNtalVR1rt0_nClUhYMDDvIdlG5Nvo4pWj0xLgSbXoaH_oPk9f_xgfVD5SC1ke0P-_pCuCqZZQlY0NbyNqs35l5SHWbGbH5vmvnxO7L21_wg3G9JBCKnWatG4Qfkv1ylCivmvYK285JiK827wgDBkcaxLoZmcCpPI/s2048/Hana%20as%20King%20Dave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WFjShPvPVNsVIAI-UDDlbjzaWOoNtalVR1rt0_nClUhYMDDvIdlG5Nvo4pWj0xLgSbXoaH_oPk9f_xgfVD5SC1ke0P-_pCuCqZZQlY0NbyNqs35l5SHWbGbH5vmvnxO7L21_wg3G9JBCKnWatG4Qfkv1ylCivmvYK285JiK827wgDBkcaxLoZmcCpPI/w400-h300/Hana%20as%20King%20Dave.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of <span style="text-align: justify;">HáňaPáňa Křížová</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My seat was towards the right side of the stage, a bit far for my taste, but the view was fine. Humanist started performing around 7:45pm with a vibrant act that ended at 8:15pm in a packed venue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At 8:45pm the Mode Machine joins the stage! The show started off with <i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i> and <i>Wagging Tongue. </i>The audience was initially timid but they got into the vibe around <i>Walking In My Shoes</i>. I am concerned with the fact that almost everyone around my area is sitting down except a bunch of bubbly Italians that are a few rows in front of me! I was feeling a bit desperate, but thankfully there was a man in the seat next to me that stood up and a lot of other people behind me started doing the same, so I could clap and dance finally - what a relief1 Sitting and watching DM live seems very odd to me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In my opinion the sound inside this venue was pretty good, I didn’t hear any weird reverb, I am no sound expert though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkmkRC49Ift5pm-edwmiaOZAfsJHdfssg9uTvYtxiu9F8crkHZUHogiFJUgDG4kHLDdspKwK8GHgfCnfAWx0UsbqVBxCBpZ5b24smU-_e6hdEbQiG4QZc-Mxs4_NVknnLFOA7w3qnNCzAb95-DizzAHkQ1BjNzyFSwQSNi17RWhBtoTRAxO7N2utGNrE/s4608/POT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkmkRC49Ift5pm-edwmiaOZAfsJHdfssg9uTvYtxiu9F8crkHZUHogiFJUgDG4kHLDdspKwK8GHgfCnfAWx0UsbqVBxCBpZ5b24smU-_e6hdEbQiG4QZc-Mxs4_NVknnLFOA7w3qnNCzAb95-DizzAHkQ1BjNzyFSwQSNi17RWhBtoTRAxO7N2utGNrE/w300-h400/POT.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I loved <i>It’s No Good</i> with the donkey projection, personally I adore <i>Ultra</i> so anything from that era is such a treat.<i> Policy Of Truth</i> holds a place in my heart because it was the first DM song that I ever heard. It was on a TV commercial and it sort of introduced me to the band. By the end of this track, I was having a problem with a woman that was behind me, who was demanding that I had to sit down because she was with her son. I offered to exchange places with the boy and my neighbour (what an angel) exchanged places with the pissed off kid’s mum.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In Your Room</i> and <i>Everything Counts</i> were well received and Dave pulled a young woman to the stage for a moment. I had never seen this before, what a lucky lady! The white gloves projection makes you want to move your hands!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was then the turn of <i>Precious </i>and after that, <i>Before We Drown. </i>I was looking forward to <i>Before We Drown</i> and it did not disappoint. It was very atmospheric and introspective with the brand new video projected on the background. I loved it. The audience was calm during these tracks, but when Martin sang <i>Strangelove,</i> the audience's mood changed to a cheerful one once again. He also performed <i>Somebody</i> and things slowed down a bit. After that Dave presented Martin and the crowd was cheering like crazy - there is no doubt that we all love Martin Lee Gore and Dave Gahan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then came a heart wrenching rendition of <i>Ghosts Again</i> followed by <i>I Feel You. </i>I never get tired of this groovy and exuberant track. I effing love it. Hotness is not only high temperature, it’s this fricking song too!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After <i>A Pain That I'm Used To</i> took its turn, <i>Behind The Wheel</i> certainly made people react. In my opinion they should have kept <i>World In My Eyes</i> in the setlist. It was such an appropriate track to remember Fletch and with BTW I felt as if the tribute was a bit diluted. After that however came <i>Black Celebration - </i>OMG! It’s the very first time that I get to see and hear it live! What a treat! I am blissful with this smashing industrial track. But the people next to me…not that much it seems.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Stripped </i>is well received, gosh it is one of the very best DM tracks, that pairing with BC is superb. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then comes <i>Enjoy the Silence</i> with its glittery skulls imagery that concentrates everybody’s attention. I focus to appreciate this extraordinary techno hymn. What a delight for goodness sake! Martin and Dave seem very amused performing this brilliant track. I think I could levitate to it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Condemnation</i> and <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i> followed and the audience was totally immersed. It was then the turn of <i>Never Let Me Down Again.</i> For me every time I hear this track live it’s like a spiritual experience, completely absorbing my attention, and I wave my arms as if my life depended on it. It’s lovely to be part of the wheat field wave, I make a short pause to admire the audience and it’s absolutely incredible, so uplifting, so difficult to put down in words. By the end of the song some people were throwing glowsticks, I had never seen that before, I wonder if the boys like that though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iLg408NxKAStws92Ha16Al1AzizEXzqVC98_fozbktQ1p1LAbQwiKwPufQ4ib5YogDu9MtRM_LDMN2fTEfxMgzTENcabutsl-oh7OIXOXYcLy6q3U0bK9h1js1dvVGdiFqq8qv09RSdemudj8lVUTAZiGGCvVG0TWzrwuhuBTSLJOP_keOp5k6xl6uY/s2048/Wave%20in%20Prague.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iLg408NxKAStws92Ha16Al1AzizEXzqVC98_fozbktQ1p1LAbQwiKwPufQ4ib5YogDu9MtRM_LDMN2fTEfxMgzTENcabutsl-oh7OIXOXYcLy6q3U0bK9h1js1dvVGdiFqq8qv09RSdemudj8lVUTAZiGGCvVG0TWzrwuhuBTSLJOP_keOp5k6xl6uY/w400-h225/Wave%20in%20Prague.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Never Let Me Down Again</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The concert ends on a high note with <i>Personal Jesus</i>, a tremendous classic for all of us devoted believers. Time goes by so quickly!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once again, having the chance to experience DM live is such a privilege. To drop everything else for a pair of hours to appreciate this fantastic music that has brought so many people together, that’s the power, the magical allure of Depeche Mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, if some devotee is out there and probably has the chance to go to any of the winter dates left, go for it! This is the time! They are in top shape and sounding great, if Martin and Dave decide to stop now, they leave things on an outstanding point of their careers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I start walking towards the exit and without searching, I find a pair of devotee friends outside of the venue, just like it has happened to me in other DM concerts, it was a happy coincidence and we manage to say goodbye, I wonder if our paths will cross again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been a wonderful ride and I leave the 02 Arena with mixed feelings of nostalgia and joy. I’ve had the fortune of seeing them 11 times, will I have the opportunity to complete a dozen DM gigs? Will there be a next time? Yes? No? How? When? Where? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain, if this ever happens, I will not be seated, I will go to standing area were the action takes place, yes please!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-83066137688341892412024-03-14T20:02:00.005+00:002024-03-14T20:02:41.309+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, MERCEDES-BENZ ARENA, BERLIN, 13 FEBRUARY 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ixd-3hmDPW35rpE9PuQonboTvwAeCqXri5TAJTavdOmtKnjPfjvsx__zkS-nvdVMyR7XvSc87qFa0u7N5AevDC9GSzLPOrY-t9t44li6sE87U3Ysjk5280yNSVmnyAHxG8BUtRhVCnZVtunx8KQd8ehM598vBKLO_6FRs9rAI2PKLBWg0GO0J4clJ48/s1024/unnamed-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ixd-3hmDPW35rpE9PuQonboTvwAeCqXri5TAJTavdOmtKnjPfjvsx__zkS-nvdVMyR7XvSc87qFa0u7N5AevDC9GSzLPOrY-t9t44li6sE87U3Ysjk5280yNSVmnyAHxG8BUtRhVCnZVtunx8KQd8ehM598vBKLO_6FRs9rAI2PKLBWg0GO0J4clJ48/w400-h300/unnamed-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Blog friend, film star and general all round good guy Daniel Cassus returns to reporting duties for this review of the Depeche show in Berlin on 13 February. I'm been busy at work and unwell hence the delay in publishing this. Thanks very much indeed as ever Daniel. All pictures are his so don't use without crediting him please.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjblxsaExtZV8Ri_L4Os6TvIESZp0Ain73StGKtxIGm5_LjdrXWWWFx8PhaPp0VdiKJQNoTMRwCDtumXct9adV98pubcmrHJXEXwPJ1g2Hxh-Bphd0WW66xxCTsRwqgGahjkVWXXXPSu1x_a7z9_zfhBl1A16ytipMkabn_AqAYEL4os88r2bpg0YLf54/s1024/unnamed-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjblxsaExtZV8Ri_L4Os6TvIESZp0Ain73StGKtxIGm5_LjdrXWWWFx8PhaPp0VdiKJQNoTMRwCDtumXct9adV98pubcmrHJXEXwPJ1g2Hxh-Bphd0WW66xxCTsRwqgGahjkVWXXXPSu1x_a7z9_zfhBl1A16ytipMkabn_AqAYEL4os88r2bpg0YLf54/w400-h300/unnamed-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">"Berlin is the Depeche Mode capital.” Yep, those words came out of my mouth and they are on film, much to the chagrin of my Los Angeles friends (I still stand that I said Berlin AND Los Angeles, but that got cut in the editing room). So it’s only fair Berlin would be the first European city to get more than 2 shows in a row. Except they weren’t in a row because there was a show in Hamburg between the second and the third one, but you get what I mean.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I arrived just as the opening act Humanist was playing <i>Shock Collar</i>, the song on which Dave collaborated with vocals though he is of course he is not on stage. Less than an hour later he is however, as the show begins with those bangs from the ending of <i>Speak To Me</i> blending into the beginning of <i>My Cosmos Is</i> <i>Mine</i>. This was my first show seen from the front, so it was the first time experiencing the full imagery and lights. The giant “M” on stage slowly gets the brushstrokes, while the band is lit from behind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We then move into <i>Wagging Tongue</i> where the lights above the stage are almost like an extra band member. <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> is a fierce performance with the screen all up in red. With <i>It’s No Good</i>, Anton reminds us of his passion for animals on film by showing donkeys on a beach. So far it’s the same show they played last year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now comes the first change. <i>Sister Of Night</i> got replaced with the seemingly mandatory <i>Policy Of Truth</i>. As much as I adore <i>Sister Of Night</i> and wished for a full band performance with Dave on vocals ever since the song was released, when it finally became a reality, it was a bit of a downer in an otherwise upbeat first few songs. I confess I prefer <i>Policy Of Truth</i> in this spot for once. The band tweaked the ending of the second bridge so Christian could do a power drum fill, but that was the only relevant change. In fact, most people probably didn’t notice this little nitpick of mine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmNOMXgkx46qEW3fA7xoGXDfMVTc6jjfmKfUXwBU7TKiP44vHMm_w0EB7x8tCO7INbo8ex7PGcamBpSGSwnbn2leDdsOOTtfoqKWUwbPa8E8MQ81Q2-n_Edvt5JnZYFOdxIpniduTURoWCW63unAMQaXdIcbHqhfynE2LlUnmDueNS_-et8F1c_gqsqw/s1024/unnamed-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmNOMXgkx46qEW3fA7xoGXDfMVTc6jjfmKfUXwBU7TKiP44vHMm_w0EB7x8tCO7INbo8ex7PGcamBpSGSwnbn2leDdsOOTtfoqKWUwbPa8E8MQ81Q2-n_Edvt5JnZYFOdxIpniduTURoWCW63unAMQaXdIcbHqhfynE2LlUnmDueNS_-et8F1c_gqsqw/w400-h300/unnamed-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In Your Room</i> was brought back in its Zephyr Mix form again followed by <i>Everything Counts</i> and <i>Precious</i>. At the point you start to think it’s the Global Spirit Tour setlist again (and you wouldn’t be that wrong). Both songs still rock and work great, but it was the song that followed that I was waiting for. <i>Before We</i> <i>Drown</i> was a very positive surprise this winter leg brought. It takes the spot that was occupied by <i>Speak to Me</i> and <i>My Favourite Stranger,</i> neither of which I think work very well live, so the change was very welcome (don’t worry, these other two were played in the following Berlin concerts).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Time for Martin’s slot. Gone are the piano version of <i>Soul With Me</i> and the full band version of <i>A</i> <i>Question Of Lust</i>. Instead we get acoustic versions of <i>Strangelove</i> and <i>Somebody</i>. They’ve been playing <i>Strangelove</i> quite often on recent tours. This one is another I wish they played the full band version of.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave comes back and we get the great <i>Ghosts Again</i>, a song that still brings a tear to my eyes during the line “<i>everybody says goodbye</i>”. We’ve all said goodbye to lots of people in the 6 years since the last tour. Talking of which, we’re brought back to “GST Mode” with <i>I Feel You</i> and <i>A Pain That I’m Used To</i>, as usual, played as the Jacques Lu Cont Mix.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6VriQen1uHgNTvqiLX4p5fGMYrFPjVu_6_63A7VAKwBrDIkpNjA-MXgiYqIbc8GoWdyhNMaudh0TsxvadNrDxotZImId6ClP2wrIg1TzVrsJaTsGkNedt0aRwU5_szDlISJdGuVJCF3RjvKNNQVIAlkyKI6Oukwf07ZI1bvqa5Qxp8oPiN4Av3QPpdM/s1024/unnamed-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6VriQen1uHgNTvqiLX4p5fGMYrFPjVu_6_63A7VAKwBrDIkpNjA-MXgiYqIbc8GoWdyhNMaudh0TsxvadNrDxotZImId6ClP2wrIg1TzVrsJaTsGkNedt0aRwU5_szDlISJdGuVJCF3RjvKNNQVIAlkyKI6Oukwf07ZI1bvqa5Qxp8oPiN4Av3QPpdM/w400-h300/unnamed-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One change however saw <i>World In My Eyes</i> replaced with <i>Behind The Wheel</i>. The backdrop video is simply the original music video (album version recently reissued on the <i>Strange</i> DVD). Fletch still got a quick shoutout at the end. <i>Wrong </i>also got replaced with <i>Black Celebration</i>. This one got a slightly new intro with Peter fiddling with some chord progressions. Then the main set closes with <i>Stripped</i>, the slightly longer version of <i>John The Revelator</i> and <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>. No surprises on the former and the latter, though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The encore starts with <i>Condemnation</i>, which seems to have become the main track for this slot instead <i>Waiting For The Night</i>. Then the stage goes totally colourful for <i>Just Can’t Get Enough, </i>a track that I never imagined they would still be playing in 2024. We then go to <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and the mandatory arm waving. We conclude with <i>Personal Jesus</i>, which still has the slow acoustic intro but thankfully not as painfully slow as in the “Delta Machine Tour”. Reach out and touch faith… and it’s over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmws-Tu8XjEXEZGZzNHhhdGJXgxxF2B5S029Hf_UqkMfQPvHMHH73eZJj69FXvMqDud75Os5krWrgCRULP0xpKsTSMRHusWdE1UC0YD1kjZzj70g8D_H-4a0hBDBb43asQso1342nvD3h_EzNy6gw-JbFoYzSgvMjTb8j_3TI-RbOR0vf09-cr7zVYqVk/s1024/unnamed-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmws-Tu8XjEXEZGZzNHhhdGJXgxxF2B5S029Hf_UqkMfQPvHMHH73eZJj69FXvMqDud75Os5krWrgCRULP0xpKsTSMRHusWdE1UC0YD1kjZzj70g8D_H-4a0hBDBb43asQso1342nvD3h_EzNy6gw-JbFoYzSgvMjTb8j_3TI-RbOR0vf09-cr7zVYqVk/w400-h300/unnamed-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall I think the setlist improved from the summer leg. It was expected that it would default a bit to the “best of” setlist, but it works. And that was it. I definitely enjoyed it much more seeing the band from up front. In a way it was almost the first show of the tour I got to see Anton’s videos properly. To me the giant M on the stage works so much better than the split screen from the GST and the globe from the TOTU.</div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-6820241715943501582024-02-22T19:17:00.002+00:002024-02-22T19:17:33.419+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, MERCEDES-BENZ ARENA, BERLIN, 15 FEBRUARY 2024<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPI183cqlNiAYRNhu4igBeYNRGTumTCe_d72dDsiGvqpFZWyzKIEKYt4f37HB0sED17w0CgX5AhUUlodQ7uPm6uGoTUUKi8rFpp4XHszIJKTfRKDO8h2EUXKDMGLBR4ltRL0x4PO0qxr7-cwUYdwaK30wzlR6RytLH1xrH1vMzOc-W96-UA7H_b8y5YI/s1080/417439017_10161300933488739_525059771574990980_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPI183cqlNiAYRNhu4igBeYNRGTumTCe_d72dDsiGvqpFZWyzKIEKYt4f37HB0sED17w0CgX5AhUUlodQ7uPm6uGoTUUKi8rFpp4XHszIJKTfRKDO8h2EUXKDMGLBR4ltRL0x4PO0qxr7-cwUYdwaK30wzlR6RytLH1xrH1vMzOc-W96-UA7H_b8y5YI/w400-h400/417439017_10161300933488739_525059771574990980_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Depeche Mode and Berlin is always a special combination. Sarah Evans visited the city for her first Depeche Berlin experience earlier this month and here is her review. It's a great read - thank you very much Sarah. Follow her on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/sunforsarah">@sunforsarah</a> All pictures here are Sarah's unless otherwise credited.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEIrhtJ6nqGoMdDzK3Yu1lpFElR1C0zRE_RVXnC_vSmbf0tk2whnoDRuT7fqiwtehE3ULPw5E3NEk7VfyBfbjpBVq8TCAfaTq60tUZCIQW6V_qzS41Z938r-8ruTrAXVTiWNEi-VFYBQC_pcoIUub-Zha6h-lAtUPS4FKSZMOifhb0oUVLhFkpgClx98/s1080/417445869_10161300985178739_6525529843563080919_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEIrhtJ6nqGoMdDzK3Yu1lpFElR1C0zRE_RVXnC_vSmbf0tk2whnoDRuT7fqiwtehE3ULPw5E3NEk7VfyBfbjpBVq8TCAfaTq60tUZCIQW6V_qzS41Z938r-8ruTrAXVTiWNEi-VFYBQC_pcoIUub-Zha6h-lAtUPS4FKSZMOifhb0oUVLhFkpgClx98/w400-h301/417445869_10161300985178739_6525529843563080919_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></i><p></p><br /><br /><b>Is Berlin the Spiritual Home of Depeche Mode? </b><br /><br />It's a big question and one Americans might challenge, especially with all the band history in Los Angeles; the recent declaration of Depeche Mode day, Dave nearly checking out forever at the Sunset Marquis and the legendary 101 Rose Bowl concert, so their special relationship with LA can't be denied. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But my question, takes me back to Berlin. Home of the famous Hansa Studio's, home of <i>Black</i> <i>Celebration</i> and where DM played in East Germany before the Wall came down. There are many German influences that have seeped into Martin's songwriting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOFdzT6wdv0rmNSaCZT6wUTvbaRtbGAA8XDAHdbbrbwzcpD705Dc3h8_iWWM73k7BsiPvgb1Nsz0JhG_8ToYpTUX-3yACyotPRgjHhxKvJ9-WnSWfhyniLEZVS_Rugu2uXzPHnQHjhc7twUT9UN9fdDJo3hfJf058iF9LDb2bE_VewakbpFqkrVDOO2s/s2048/NyP71fOM.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOFdzT6wdv0rmNSaCZT6wUTvbaRtbGAA8XDAHdbbrbwzcpD705Dc3h8_iWWM73k7BsiPvgb1Nsz0JhG_8ToYpTUX-3yACyotPRgjHhxKvJ9-WnSWfhyniLEZVS_Rugu2uXzPHnQHjhc7twUT9UN9fdDJo3hfJf058iF9LDb2bE_VewakbpFqkrVDOO2s/w400-h400/NyP71fOM.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had heard all about the German fan base with elevated adoration levels of their beloved DM, I really wanted to experience a piece of this and see if the Berlin hype would be delivered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Therefore a mini trip to Berlin for the 2024 back end of the tour was too good an opportunity to miss. Especially as we just don't know what lies ahead...devotees you'll have your own views on whether they'll tour again!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So far this <i>Memento Mori</i> tour has been reviewed as being tremendous. The Twickenham gig last summer was a great day. Meeting Twitter friends for a spot of day drinking on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in a pub garden, where the DJ cranked up our excitement, not only by being a "looky likey" Dave resplendent in shiny waistcoat, but by playing DM all afternoon to a boozy swarm of middle aged UK fans in a swathe of black t-shirts. Seeing our boys again that evening after 4 years, was sweaty and glorious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then more recently to a more favourable indoor gig at the O2 Arena London, where up to that time (pre-Berlin!) personally this was the best I have ever seen them play.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we get back to why I love DM and sharing my Berlin gig experience. I need to share....strap in.....I was a late comer to the DM scene, becoming a convert only in 1996. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Good grief," you say, "you missed out on your teenage years lying in front of the stacking hifi system, taping vinyl onto cassettes, learning all the words to every song and you definitely missed out on Dave in his tighty whitey jeans era." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know!! Roxy Music, Spandau Ballet, The Cult and Stevie Nicks predominantly, were the tracks of my teenage years. The only memories I have of early DM, were in my catholic school form room, where Joanne (the only DM fan in our year) would play the boppy sounds of <i>See You</i> and <i>People Are People</i> from the double deck cassette player and she would top up the white hand painted words DEPECHE MODE that were Tipp-exed onto her green army school satchel, before we light headily sauntered off to assembly to sing 'Salve Regina'. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's jump ahead a decade to 1996 and I'll introduce you to Mr E. He was the electronic DM fan and he had been there from the start through to the heady iconic Crystal Palace Devotional gig. On our second date, Mr E knows he onto a good thing with me (*winks) and takes me back to his. He then pulls out the Devotional live concert DVD. I expect it was a test, if I dissed DM, I probably wouldn’t have made date 3. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh my goodness! The form room bops had been replaced by atmospheric drums, huge visual screens projecting an assortment of sensual images and Dave with arms outstretched and gyrating arse, fed his addiction from the worshipping crowd. By the time <i>In Your Room</i> came on, I was mesmerised. Dave sacrificially launched himself into the adoring mob below and just as Dave loses his white t-shirt, my goosebumps cause my own clothes to self-combust!! I AM HOOKED! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For me, Jesus Dave at that very moment (whilst off his face wasn't good for his health) is the absolute zenith of his performances. My lapsed Catholicism was overtaken by the religion that is Depeche Mode, chapters and verses to be learnt by heart from the genius of Mr Martin L Gore. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A year later Mr E and I dance our wedding song to <i>Enjoy The Silence.</i>..of course. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My first time seeing DM live was in 98' at the old Wembley Stadium for The Singles Tour. Mr E was almost crying when a newly clean, back to life Dave walked on stage and I was completely unaware Daniel Miller was sat near us. Holidays over the next 25 years combined oversees gigs to see the boys in Paris, Madrid, and Miami... and now Berlin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Right, let's get into it. Berlin...</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hjThnCOrdfo554EqOdb666ko_LjARmBD-4K24pV9IsmcASISlVkQ4kzggGk_R5MrPW7g2NnBx6Frm5A43Ccurg-UIjAJcRsOFD3FY9FxX1UC8fvrSWPzckztv5mTC1WfuxLgnTSCeDYx7eSHXPbfkP34mY1L-fk8pBgP1x0zGDFUdEWRtD8AmNsde8/s2048/yhBKYYot.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hjThnCOrdfo554EqOdb666ko_LjARmBD-4K24pV9IsmcASISlVkQ4kzggGk_R5MrPW7g2NnBx6Frm5A43Ccurg-UIjAJcRsOFD3FY9FxX1UC8fvrSWPzckztv5mTC1WfuxLgnTSCeDYx7eSHXPbfkP34mY1L-fk8pBgP1x0zGDFUdEWRtD8AmNsde8/w400-h400/yhBKYYot.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had very civilised pre gig cocktails with Dave & Jane, two of the lovely devotees we have met through Twitter (never X). Both huge fans from teenage times and devoted travellers where seeing the Global Spirit Tour finish in Berlin Waldbuhne was their highlight from following DM. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2CGlISiLo16ALUZawPfh2dGtIesEWtiHml8k2E-3b0uyT6CuYTiZqBmMZAECv7v-iS9_Wglhs8PH5opcyaX4p7mb2vavYO0ErMJt8WC9lVIWGjzsZMPrXzOZo68P740Eh6weHlHjw2IH2h5C_X2CfINc6Ni4-BH-yM9-SVymvGgioHitS0uwBEHzL_I/s2048/-koU-Umi.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2CGlISiLo16ALUZawPfh2dGtIesEWtiHml8k2E-3b0uyT6CuYTiZqBmMZAECv7v-iS9_Wglhs8PH5opcyaX4p7mb2vavYO0ErMJt8WC9lVIWGjzsZMPrXzOZo68P740Eh6weHlHjw2IH2h5C_X2CfINc6Ni4-BH-yM9-SVymvGgioHitS0uwBEHzL_I/w400-h400/-koU-Umi.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr E and I are up high on the side seats, and the excitement in the German crowd is rippling through the arena. Humanist plays as support, the drums and guitars are good and I'll certainly take a listen to their 2020 album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm next to a very no nonsense German woman, who it would turn out, had the loudest claps and whooooooooops known to womankind every time Dave spun, gyrated or wiggled his bum. She was already standing and bumping along to the build-up tracks before I get to my seat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ask her if the German crowd will be amazing tonight, she answers without hesitation "of course". She's probably thinking I'm a stupid Brit and no wonder we left the EU. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I press on "why is that?", and quite simply she says; "It's Berlin" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The stage is reset, the Germans are already bouncy, about 5 minutes before the gig starts, the energy is almost making me well up, my emotions are held together with a big breath. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The boys walk on stage and we're off, everyone in the seated block is on their feet. What songs will get Berlin ecstatic? How will this gig differ from London just 3 weeks ago? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Observation to start with; German fans don't leave their seats for beers and wees, there are in it for 2 hours of unbroken adoration. No one's chatting, everyone knows the words and there is a lot of cheering.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwNxcQRuKRPuSbNvopxQ12AsL9jYt0IVJnVnixmVP-mY2B_pRE6gMrCYaUY2XxZH_AR32jK03HY42DY6W7qmU2mt0biZQ3XC12vxawBAlOEDr-Dg73R77FDlxvyTgptctSEyVB6uItbkhQHbMDXvVogYZKinAWXVydBB9Dcg8l1DeGSnB5dBC08DHvnc/s2048/ZsbLFbMK.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwNxcQRuKRPuSbNvopxQ12AsL9jYt0IVJnVnixmVP-mY2B_pRE6gMrCYaUY2XxZH_AR32jK03HY42DY6W7qmU2mt0biZQ3XC12vxawBAlOEDr-Dg73R77FDlxvyTgptctSEyVB6uItbkhQHbMDXvVogYZKinAWXVydBB9Dcg8l1DeGSnB5dBC08DHvnc/w180-h400/ZsbLFbMK.jpg-large.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Walking In My Shoes</i> is sublime and the Germans are now hypnotised. Mr E post-gig rated <i>Policy Of</i> <i>Truth</i> and <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> as his favourite tracks of the night. <i>Everything Counts</i> sends the Arena into a frenzy, I do love the white gloved hand visuals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Dave takes a break (Do you ever wonder what he does for 10 mins especially as he is getting older?, little lie down on the chaise longue maybe?) Martin sings beautiful renditions of <i>Strangelove</i> and <i>Heaven.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Ghosts Again</i> is very well received by the crowd, I was really hoping for the setlist with <i>Before We</i> <i>Drown</i> and <i>Behind The Wheel</i> but it wasn’t to be tonight. <i>I Feel You</i> gets my German gig neighbour excitable, which is a joy to me. We rock it out as if we're strippers in a dodgy communist backstreet joint. Outstanding!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the return of <i>World In My Eyes</i> I've got tears seeing the audience gesturing their love to the images of Fletch on the big screens with their fingers joined to make Andy eyes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a late comer to DM, <i>Violator </i>and <i>Songs Of Faith And Devotion</i> will always be my go-to DM listen. When <i>Black Celebration</i> starts up however, this is my chance to really experience what this song means to Berlin. I see a couple dancing together as if they are all alone in a Euro club, totally engrossed in each other. Everyone else around me are just losing it by singing aloud and then I simply get it. It's a deep seated Berlin anthem overcoming the challenges of the past, East and West long since united but still with that bleak history that will never be forgotten. But my interpretation of this industrial track may have been influenced by spending too much time at the remnants of the Wall!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i>Enjoy The Silence</i> is gorgeous – it is such a crowd pleaser; the skull visuals are perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsbdJ_T6wEiiyrA4cfrN07QusJVSobFa2vb73JA4pLvqAAYEh8ewyWjQNtu0QC3JEwpoppmzv96oS2Byi8vo4puhSYrTlQumQE6KW4AAoMzB5XdUwXqF_SRL8bK7-spzB9uiq0bAXgRkbhngKeVi0Et7nDNWRE4LAZMnbHhLwElg7PX-TKysqDTOpO_o/s1200/YjJzymJb.jpg-medium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsbdJ_T6wEiiyrA4cfrN07QusJVSobFa2vb73JA4pLvqAAYEh8ewyWjQNtu0QC3JEwpoppmzv96oS2Byi8vo4puhSYrTlQumQE6KW4AAoMzB5XdUwXqF_SRL8bK7-spzB9uiq0bAXgRkbhngKeVi0Et7nDNWRE4LAZMnbHhLwElg7PX-TKysqDTOpO_o/w400-h300/YjJzymJb.jpg-medium.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the encore <i>Waiting For The Night</i> was beautiful, the arena filled with twinkling phone lights.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then my second set of tears start as the wonderfully euphoric Berlin crowd give it all, hard and energetic arms are swinging in the air to <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i>. As I looked around the Arena it was triumphant from front to back, it was an OUTSTANDING wheat wave. I have never seen a crowd react in such a way!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To “We’ll see you next time” Dave, Martin, Peter and Christian receive huge applause, there’s a lot of hugging and back slapping, they truly looked like they enjoyed their performance and revel in the deep love from their German fan base. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So is Berlin the spiritual home of DM? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My gig neighbour's words "It's Berlin" resound, of course we wouldn’t expect anything less.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtF-Y5jjQ8ezHII80Q-IMb_Rhqgo8Kz9OYqqLpy5EHUwjQQuLPgWzk-4TotjqRbEEw1W_09JRrL0XdhF_8I-miOMAGA7Ky7mANgfRR1OFoPQljspCGF7IFABFiUd6vGaE8MUCWiuOrnLO1f7FraFiU26X7SmnKJ38IV9vmiiVAF3HMaSTpSJ0hDAFF7M/s2048/G6UC2Ket.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtF-Y5jjQ8ezHII80Q-IMb_Rhqgo8Kz9OYqqLpy5EHUwjQQuLPgWzk-4TotjqRbEEw1W_09JRrL0XdhF_8I-miOMAGA7Ky7mANgfRR1OFoPQljspCGF7IFABFiUd6vGaE8MUCWiuOrnLO1f7FraFiU26X7SmnKJ38IV9vmiiVAF3HMaSTpSJ0hDAFF7M/w180-h400/G6UC2Ket.jpg-large.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks Sarah</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-32155473704956125082024-02-19T19:46:00.001+00:002024-02-19T19:46:32.823+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, ROYAL ARENA, COPENHAGEN 10 FEBRUARY 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDZqlFksif_McXQJwO-YnWiOjAi0-AxLI0mHFOnhrhKzYlWypPYBANp2wTCcsvERXRGzQHfeAYfZ0zO1uPyz-OuFm4a7-o46c_fOjwJrn_WXlHsN4HoIG3XSAKO0uU5YwnNnm-nA8f7MRRVdUfpBjs41bFog6svh-QwPfXkqGHEWohE9FcTqJywcp8cU/s2048/JZk-ChvQ.jpg-large.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDZqlFksif_McXQJwO-YnWiOjAi0-AxLI0mHFOnhrhKzYlWypPYBANp2wTCcsvERXRGzQHfeAYfZ0zO1uPyz-OuFm4a7-o46c_fOjwJrn_WXlHsN4HoIG3XSAKO0uU5YwnNnm-nA8f7MRRVdUfpBjs41bFog6svh-QwPfXkqGHEWohE9FcTqJywcp8cU/w400-h180/JZk-ChvQ.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>This review comes courtesy of The Dark Outside (</i><a href="https://twitter.com/darkoutside" style="text-align: left;">https://twitter.com/darkoutside</a>). <i>For those who don't know, The Dark Outside is a Scottish label and radio station that broadcasts from deep in the gorgeous Galloway Forest Park. The link to the label's bandcamp page is at the end of this article - do make sure you check it out. As a native of Dumfries & Galloway, I love the label and I'm delighted that The Dark Outside has provided tis review of Depeche Mode's Copenhagen gig on 10th February. Thank you very much indeed. All photos belong to The Dark Outside.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs2ygUHEezQmMNcScWYMMLDFs8dcnPsubF-NAIW1Roc6VpShUz0g5yI65xLum0IewhdRMFGq1rUFjXZ9w16FjrFr3GSOluWcqhZbNBRcgZeib4P_xpAc6LJTwnt3Yduj_2RNKuS2IjaYFBQvdYKgtMTJ6XH-QR5Ih4ai1aSEdz6qXjdY2x8ZzvOOiImc/s2048/NeLv1-7V.jpg-large.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs2ygUHEezQmMNcScWYMMLDFs8dcnPsubF-NAIW1Roc6VpShUz0g5yI65xLum0IewhdRMFGq1rUFjXZ9w16FjrFr3GSOluWcqhZbNBRcgZeib4P_xpAc6LJTwnt3Yduj_2RNKuS2IjaYFBQvdYKgtMTJ6XH-QR5Ih4ai1aSEdz6qXjdY2x8ZzvOOiImc/w400-h180/NeLv1-7V.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a while since I last saw Depeche Mode. It was 1988 in Edinburgh. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, er, quite a gap.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To make matters worse, it had been 41 years since I first saw them in Glasgow in 1983. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, fast forward a bit to 7 months ago ish when the Glasgow tickets were on sale and turns out that there was a clash and dates and planets misaligned. That sort of thing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Where else were they playing ? Ooh, Copenhagen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Royal Arena is huge. Spotted a few Dave clones and lots of balding heads ( though, not on the Dave clones ) Nadine Shah is today's support. Really good. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWXaXEkDCNyooHNR5GfB9MBBSxKUDRVsI1JQ-QgYuJn07qFCZVXUwNPEHkuPPbhdGejfQlyJs0cnqrByti-GZFhNemyc0WrEdmXpDHeHiEFRYDr8ytk-S941EdDuadCn-nJIZQxaqb5LJFmbdr0q-0eijLAoxc8uSC3A_27kB2GfxtzfmYF0DnTKChEU/s2048/IiCNnBm5.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWXaXEkDCNyooHNR5GfB9MBBSxKUDRVsI1JQ-QgYuJn07qFCZVXUwNPEHkuPPbhdGejfQlyJs0cnqrByti-GZFhNemyc0WrEdmXpDHeHiEFRYDr8ytk-S941EdDuadCn-nJIZQxaqb5LJFmbdr0q-0eijLAoxc8uSC3A_27kB2GfxtzfmYF0DnTKChEU/w400-h180/IiCNnBm5.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite the Swedish blokes on the same row going to the bar or toilets every few songs It was an enjoyable set ( disclaimer - I wasn't too familiar with Nadine Shah's music although I've rectified that now) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy5uggsatspUrcY9CPtH8984TmeSLJ7oB0_67wFTo7IEprkEQaNjZxdhSbApkg8wbDG4Sc6NXUQabpY_7Y5UQmXyVOSVaYRqR_0ogPHJvWDqYe1QU_rmea63V-ghHZfn1hyphenhyphenfOqTlFLvebJ5QsTSBs7-o7IXzhrhH8IGFQo7b7ztpFpbjxtJB6o6AK8e4/s2048/427968016_10161293481098739_6274303829317038255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy5uggsatspUrcY9CPtH8984TmeSLJ7oB0_67wFTo7IEprkEQaNjZxdhSbApkg8wbDG4Sc6NXUQabpY_7Y5UQmXyVOSVaYRqR_0ogPHJvWDqYe1QU_rmea63V-ghHZfn1hyphenhyphenfOqTlFLvebJ5QsTSBs7-o7IXzhrhH8IGFQo7b7ztpFpbjxtJB6o6AK8e4/w300-h400/427968016_10161293481098739_6274303829317038255_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pic courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave owned the stage, was a wee bit pitchy during some songs, camped it up, wiggled, hammed it up gloriously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Martin singing Strangelove was a new one on me ( it has been a while ).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM0gefMu9dd0NaWCk1zF6aPWR7Ov3kLdIgQasH948XPWPivS40waseI3dMS3Oy1sGMGPLrRpRYydrK8CPpnniGZ_3nAnHOUvmZKbsmUO_MtuAvCyW4VExhwXL2xAWzM8_vetk4OGzN8Q4TdY0c0QzvnZnJJ8-0S5gxvzewitLsbsPgicermxRpBuzPME/s2048/ovRjlVoe.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM0gefMu9dd0NaWCk1zF6aPWR7Ov3kLdIgQasH948XPWPivS40waseI3dMS3Oy1sGMGPLrRpRYydrK8CPpnniGZ_3nAnHOUvmZKbsmUO_MtuAvCyW4VExhwXL2xAWzM8_vetk4OGzN8Q4TdY0c0QzvnZnJJ8-0S5gxvzewitLsbsPgicermxRpBuzPME/w400-h180/ovRjlVoe.jpg-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Swedish guys really need to drink less. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, people talking through gigs seems to be a universal constant. Gits. Visuals were great although I did not have donkeys on my Depeche Mode Bingo Card. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thankfully they skipped the songs I really did NOT want to hear ( looking at you <i>The Meaning of Love</i> and <i>It's Called A Heart</i> ). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Will not be leaving it so long next time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><p></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fq0KFogPx3U?si=ZRnhzoS_nqO8ilxy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks very much to The Dark Outside. Go and visit the Bandcamp page - <a href="https://thedarkoutside.bandcamp.com/">https://thedarkoutside.bandcamp.com/</a></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-9221633661876883842024-02-12T20:59:00.004+00:002024-02-12T20:59:52.544+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, SPORTPALEIS, ANTWERP 6 FEBRUARY 2024 & ZIGGO DOME, AMSTERDAM 8 FEBRUARY 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPD_Iq8FzXxB5kmEA_bv6IT1jJWQUXpe6sInibCbWiHKvKY067jnShkBtBR9IqLsva3zQkMLDHG_qtwMiEr1wvnhahaInNlmNe6xcNuJU4F9KUmU2dCH4pOFt0TJc70bd14DDrtr_tP1T-lRu3Qr_hLYfjRu2rVkjPhuHV4xWPC7cXoMLXEcwtlVKS8k/s4000/20240208_205419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPD_Iq8FzXxB5kmEA_bv6IT1jJWQUXpe6sInibCbWiHKvKY067jnShkBtBR9IqLsva3zQkMLDHG_qtwMiEr1wvnhahaInNlmNe6xcNuJU4F9KUmU2dCH4pOFt0TJc70bd14DDrtr_tP1T-lRu3Qr_hLYfjRu2rVkjPhuHV4xWPC7cXoMLXEcwtlVKS8k/w400-h300/20240208_205419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>When I last ran a tour review project, Henno Teams reviewed the band's <a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2018/07/live-review-depeche-mode-lollapalooza.html">Paris Lollapalooza gig</a> and that was a great read. Happily for us, he's back and here's his wonderful review of the Antwerp and Amsterdam gigs. Thanks very much indeed Henno. All photos are Henno's so don't steal them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFqBP3zKHP9ig7bBG2J_FTcn-U8tDMbMATkYgXWxKIz1oequF6o4DOyGOousxyb6WBUcgHA-LS2o0xizvlixBQaIHz7pRszHS_UXxokL8uzsgd6M2opZXAPYG-sSN3aUM9siTejrno_cA-SiEMkP_yFd51uWeOLGIMu6tGHSHsn9takpQBzzeSmSx7-E/s4000/20240206_215326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFqBP3zKHP9ig7bBG2J_FTcn-U8tDMbMATkYgXWxKIz1oequF6o4DOyGOousxyb6WBUcgHA-LS2o0xizvlixBQaIHz7pRszHS_UXxokL8uzsgd6M2opZXAPYG-sSN3aUM9siTejrno_cA-SiEMkP_yFd51uWeOLGIMu6tGHSHsn9takpQBzzeSmSx7-E/w300-h400/20240206_215326.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last time you all heard from me when writing a review for the Paris show in 2018 I was 21, now I’m closer to 30 than 20 and my head does not cope with this thought well at all. A lot has happened in the meantime, the world has seemingly managed to simultaneously fall apart into a thousand little pieces and put itself back together again, as it usually does every now and then. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depeche Mode are no strangers to this phenomenon. Sadly we lost our dear Fletch and it seemed all was lost, but no, we were treated to <i>Memento Mori </i>and its subsequent tour. The boys would treat us to a new cycle of touring as a new invigorated band playing like you’d expect few people in their twenties would. And now we find ourselves once again in the closing stages of this era of Depeche Mode. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year I attended both Amsterdam shows. I had only booked the first show, luckily managed to grab some golden circle tickets for it, and I think like many others was unbelievably happy to see the boys out again on tour. The show that night was so good I did my best to snag another golden circle ticket for the second show and was happily successful. The shows were absolutely incredible and it felt like the boys were testing the waters, learning to be a band again so to speak, with the audience helping every step of the way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year was completely different. I had only booked Amsterdam on this 3rd and last leg of the tour, and went for the standard general admission this time around, but lo and behold my feet got itchy. I wouldn’t let this last leg of the Memento Mori tour go by with one last attempt to get up close to the band right? Right. As by now all shows were sold out and the resale price for the Amsterdam golden circle was beyond belief - seriously the pricing of concerts together with VIP experiences and these dreaded platinum tickets is becoming a big problem - so I had to make another plan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enter Antwerp. This show had no golden circle so a standard general admission ticket would suffice and after a few days I got lucky with a nicely priced resale ticket and off we went to Belgium! So this will unexpectedly turn into a double review! Oh my what did i get myself into, I hope you enjoy my ramblings and my photos from the shows as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq9jlk5we4rTyEHNeHN_rbAF8MsQ2JeTx0Pk75sOiz-uI2o2L8XNsCmfrPWOjHPBTYgwJiNlFw-i_JbbivqOqxJd5Bbq-fF16SmObRkdfxb2MTs5SXQhCEEQsKPyhzwID58oJ-dvWyv4lPmMEM7tpDzNTd170D56WihfauD775_fI_UIM3EGzEA92CD0/s4000/20240208_224155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq9jlk5we4rTyEHNeHN_rbAF8MsQ2JeTx0Pk75sOiz-uI2o2L8XNsCmfrPWOjHPBTYgwJiNlFw-i_JbbivqOqxJd5Bbq-fF16SmObRkdfxb2MTs5SXQhCEEQsKPyhzwID58oJ-dvWyv4lPmMEM7tpDzNTd170D56WihfauD775_fI_UIM3EGzEA92CD0/w400-h300/20240208_224155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Antwerp February 6th</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As some of you may know, unlike most of the tour, the UK leg of shows were mixed by Marc Carolan, front of house engineer for Muse amongst others. Tonight Jamie would be “Behind The Wheel” again (sorry, bad pun). The Sportpaleis is no easy venue for an Audio engineer to mix live music as the venue is renowned for horrendous acoustics no matter the setup. But as it turned out there was no need to worry, the mix was powerful yet crystal clear, the Sportpaleis seemingly gave up and waved the white flag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a lengthy entry procedure i managed to secure myself a spot close to the b stage on Dave’s side and before long it was already time for Nadine Shah to warm up the crowd. I’m completely new to her music and thought her set was quite good, not really my taste personally, although I did say the same thing about Depeche Mode in 2013 and look what happened... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the clock ticks to 20:45 the lights go dark right on time, and it’s time for the big MODE to do their thing. The first few songs were a little hit and miss for Dave as he seemed to be struggling with his monitors on stage and his vocals were off for a bit every now and then. I saw Dave pointing to the side to have different levels changed and soon it seemed the problems were fixed and Dave shifted into higher gear. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Right when Dave shifts into top gear, in comes my absolute favourite Depeche Mode song and the first time I’m ever hear it live - <i>Policy Of Truth</i>! And wow does it not disappoint, I almost cried a little! Now we’re in full swing and the band is sounding better than ever.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Superlatives aside, i think this is the best i have heard them sound as a band since my very first time seeing then in Lille back in 2017. This might just go into the books as my favourite DM show. And as is becoming quite clear, I’m not the only one enjoying it as the arena lets out a big cheer and starts clapping along to the intro for <i>Everything Counts</i>, the venue feels alive!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m_qxYjF3huc1ADSJw7xwCCjl1Fq8ZQ-N_Il68jlWfe72dHT4FzLH3fqXbSIlSMY3Rx3jW_PdHOf1MwLM_Ma4ByOxrc0HzV6GAejO6-y9Jbe8qkfDV_HmFk0TjsKcYinYWJWUWplZ-AdkqCZC8ihufpcDeeU7e0MtiyTP7-KraYwLkojGaZhyupFomks/s4000/20240206_223434_009_saved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m_qxYjF3huc1ADSJw7xwCCjl1Fq8ZQ-N_Il68jlWfe72dHT4FzLH3fqXbSIlSMY3Rx3jW_PdHOf1MwLM_Ma4ByOxrc0HzV6GAejO6-y9Jbe8qkfDV_HmFk0TjsKcYinYWJWUWplZ-AdkqCZC8ihufpcDeeU7e0MtiyTP7-KraYwLkojGaZhyupFomks/w300-h400/20240206_223434_009_saved.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, not for everyone. It has become very obvious some Tik Tok or Instagram influencers splurged out on some Early Entry tickets and had taken up the barrier besides me. Quite a shame really considering 4 people were taking up space where easily 7 could stand, but pushing me away when I danced too close. For about 80% of the show the people next to me seemed totally unbothered, looking towards an empty b-stage when the show was in full swing on the main stage. I don’t think I saw these people clap even once all night, but to each their own I guess.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the night goes on I can’t help but feel that last year's shows feel like a rehearsal compared to this year. This is the full blown victory lap, the band is out guns blazing tonight. And as the set nears its conclusion it feels as if we are flying, all 23 thousand of us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> arrives I feel in love, yet absolutely shattered, Depeche Mode just broke me into a thousand little pieces just to glue me back together again. It seems even the Tik Tok influencers have finally woken up from chatting on their phones and realised the show was happening behind them, despite not a single acknowledgement that they’re watching one of the very very best to ever do it though. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After 23 wonderful songs the night comes to an end with the ever so rapturous <i>Personal Jesus</i>! Even the influencers are wagging a single finger up and down now, consider it a win Depeche Mode, consider It a win. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we head out i buy myself another piece of merchandising, i blame the band for being too good. And surprise surprise, i see one of my old DM related friends for the first time since we met in Lille at my first show, it can’t help but feel like a full circle moment. And so concludes my solo adventure to Antwerp, onwards to Amsterdam with the family!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkafTclGOL1mUYDDye4VvS4TekIxT7Y-bJbZoQFe-UWfzUzCR1YTfnq0LhqzVL_9Q5unOG_O1OjJVYlBWsAQDSzcAulK4p38Ig4TCv6wBW5Y0VYDrat6Jxe8nyw9Os8CbeIaLgKBPwizo1XRXVmW4FkR78NHWO4agchJzEK6bq5SIKsRAkpndYv5XiECU/s8160/20240208_225112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkafTclGOL1mUYDDye4VvS4TekIxT7Y-bJbZoQFe-UWfzUzCR1YTfnq0LhqzVL_9Q5unOG_O1OjJVYlBWsAQDSzcAulK4p38Ig4TCv6wBW5Y0VYDrat6Jxe8nyw9Os8CbeIaLgKBPwizo1XRXVmW4FkR78NHWO4agchJzEK6bq5SIKsRAkpndYv5XiECU/w400-h300/20240208_225112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Amsterdam February 8th</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is different to last Tuesday in Antwerp, my tickets tonight won't allow me to get up close and it’s a family occasion tonight as well, so let's enjoy this one together. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The clock is already well past 8 by the time we get into the venue. Even if I had access to the Golden Circle I wouldn’t have come early today. The weather was absolutely dreadful with constant rain and whilst it’s only 3 degrees outside, the 18mph wind makes everything feel freezing. Brrrr.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We get a beer and make our way inside, opting to stand behind the front of house with the added bonus of seeing the engineers hard at work on the show. These guys are some real unsung heroes. I want to mention one of these great men in particular Jamie Pollack, front of house engineer and responsible for mixing the live show on this last leg of the Memento Mori tour. My god is he doing a great job. Not only is the sound crystal clear but it sounds powerful enough to shake you off your feet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show itself gets underway exactly one minute late - who cares - and it is already clear to me from the start that Dave sounds even better tonight. His voice tonight sounds stronger than I’ve ever heard it live, and Dave seems more confident too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet the crowd tonight in Amsterdam seems unusually quiet, especially during the first half of the show, with the people in the 100 and 200 sections mostly remaining in their seats.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even i am finding it more difficult to get into the flow of the show this time, maybe in part because I’m with family this time so I’m holding back a little, or because I’m standing in the very back. It feels more like watching the best band play instead of being in the middle of it, and very much part of it as it can feel that sometimes, the crowd becomes part of the band, Depeche Mode being a prime example. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The band switches into higher gear again, once again <i>Policy of Truth </i>feels like a pivotal moment in the show, the band and the crowd are getting in sync now, time to take off once again. I think everybody is just as happy as me it is finally solidly back in the setlist. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second highlight of the night comes in the unexpected form of <i>Before We Drown</i>. It's my favourite track from <i>Memento Mori </i>and to be honest I never expected them to play it. It was already a treat in Antwerp, but the even better acoustics tonight make sure the song comes across much stronger. Martin's backing vocals on this song deserve extra praise, the swelling vocals together with the dark ominous synths just combine so beautifully. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lPTEYi5kMPPvkiHXeuevo4bBydfW9dfNvTth0QOSTBNejHnaTI2v1bPPELYJxQaI1tbGwC-_BkHTVA9Yru1sncOoYfLYulgRi8rCT1QPwuOXMqinPGRW3I96dw4lFGiQsf_C3_8h_TVbzsha88-hPYsLEr1qe3TIyABrbjNxTjxB4ABGjtdJEs6BGAg/s8160/20240208_222039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lPTEYi5kMPPvkiHXeuevo4bBydfW9dfNvTth0QOSTBNejHnaTI2v1bPPELYJxQaI1tbGwC-_BkHTVA9Yru1sncOoYfLYulgRi8rCT1QPwuOXMqinPGRW3I96dw4lFGiQsf_C3_8h_TVbzsha88-hPYsLEr1qe3TIyABrbjNxTjxB4ABGjtdJEs6BGAg/w400-h300/20240208_222039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seeing Depeche Mode live could better be described as a religious experience, it never gets old, we sing the same songs again and again and every time we leave the shows feeling stronger. Screaming along to <i>I Feel You</i> for instance, there’s something visceral to it, you feel part of the music, part of the experience and you can feel it reverberate in your bones. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One would begin to question, will we ever get enough? By the time Martin, Dave, Peter and Christian take us for one more ride with <i>Never Let Me Down Again, y</i>ou know all is well. No we Just can’t get enough, ever. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One more time the show must come to an end, one more time we get an invigorating performance if <i>Personal Jesus</i> but tonight I’m sad. How long before they’ll be back? As this is seemingly the last leg of the Memento Mori tour, we start questioning again whether or not it’s the last time. Given the absolute stellar form they’re in, you’d think they will definitely be back for one more round but then you have to as the question - how long will the wait be this time? Hopefully I’ll get to write for you again, and hopefully it wont take 6 years again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;">So of these two shows on this 3rd and final leg, which one was my favourite? Even though the performance by the band was slightly better at my home show in Amsterdam, Antwerp will be the one to beat for a long time coming, nothing beats seeing a band like this up close, it will Never Let You Down (Again).</div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks Henno!<br /><i><br /></i></div><p><br /></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-23918237260748231092024-02-06T16:56:00.002+00:002024-02-06T18:28:20.289+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, OVO HYDRO GLASGOW 31 JANUARY AND 3ARENA DUBLIN 3 FEBRUARY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHo9ozNkacdmCMSXO_EM6teKQhEEtmjyG6yqnL3yrZaT98Mm7Tai4Two3iVapusN5B3X5Pi81pGFuR609jdd09qE-o8_9xzC0n4lur4TU3P5-fgUFTXBe39ZeltABXbU_ecm_Yz-UdDVNw_n4zwhzw4nkeyQmYIYyNXvRRd_t946HUWdFKO0NAQpQYHk/s5712/IMG_3550.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHo9ozNkacdmCMSXO_EM6teKQhEEtmjyG6yqnL3yrZaT98Mm7Tai4Two3iVapusN5B3X5Pi81pGFuR609jdd09qE-o8_9xzC0n4lur4TU3P5-fgUFTXBe39ZeltABXbU_ecm_Yz-UdDVNw_n4zwhzw4nkeyQmYIYyNXvRRd_t946HUWdFKO0NAQpQYHk/w400-h300/IMG_3550.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When I was at the Twickenham show last Summer, I was struck by how much of a celebration it was; the whole crowd was enjoying itself and within that crowd, me and my 6 friends were having a great time too. The gig experience was enhanced because of that. After all, sharing good times with your friends and a band you all love, one that you have all loved for more decades than you might care to admit, is a wonderful thing. Ahead of the two gigs last week in Glasgow and Dublin, I wanted to aim for the same experience and hopefully enjoy myself just as much. As it turned out, I had a better time than ever and enjoyed two of the best Depeche gigs I've seen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Wednesday 31 January - Ovo Hydro, Glasgow</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1SgKU5UFhdHtcfvVLmFpqn-u3AnHZSvzsbNLeuX3R1qj3tlCEW6AiMOxV_QU1wn4sIL0gNxOS0Tt7soqv4cXC-EQDPQvxhyphenhyphenJ23phO8bzp1FI2li9mKSi6BiXnZlQicIRC7YQeuuhcyfDQGcTW5OBVsr-yXR6fXFtwTiIqdjERrmGZDWkwqoxz2nMwKg/s4032/IMG_3439.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1SgKU5UFhdHtcfvVLmFpqn-u3AnHZSvzsbNLeuX3R1qj3tlCEW6AiMOxV_QU1wn4sIL0gNxOS0Tt7soqv4cXC-EQDPQvxhyphenhyphenJ23phO8bzp1FI2li9mKSi6BiXnZlQicIRC7YQeuuhcyfDQGcTW5OBVsr-yXR6fXFtwTiIqdjERrmGZDWkwqoxz2nMwKg/w400-h300/IMG_3439.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I live in Glasgow, so any Depeche Mode gig that doesn't involve trains or planes is no bad thing. I went to the concert as part of a gang of ten, two of whom (hello Heidi and Carolyn) were seeing Depeche Mode for the first time. As you might imagine, I'd sent them a Spotify playlist with explanatory notes just to make sure they knew what was in-store. It's one of the "perks" of knowing me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KRtrrcuZd5ndFsZ6aiadU_MzwU00xEcxRtm-Mwo-fv9zznyzgZfMTTM6DpCmcQwf7WHblmVCwxXSPJKHecP8fdKXOsjb2ftYV6fYJhuxcBfQyK1-WBDTyNNBBp6uEbpWOoHozv6sYROmARXkwVmKPBhws1Uu_cAFghY0uIpQ_EnNczYwbZGmGYvv0Go/s1024/6a8afcc1-2334-4c86-bcc3-f104dc95fa5f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KRtrrcuZd5ndFsZ6aiadU_MzwU00xEcxRtm-Mwo-fv9zznyzgZfMTTM6DpCmcQwf7WHblmVCwxXSPJKHecP8fdKXOsjb2ftYV6fYJhuxcBfQyK1-WBDTyNNBBp6uEbpWOoHozv6sYROmARXkwVmKPBhws1Uu_cAFghY0uIpQ_EnNczYwbZGmGYvv0Go/w300-h400/6a8afcc1-2334-4c86-bcc3-f104dc95fa5f.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Another perk is that you get a free t-shirt. I realise this increasingly sounds like I have to bribe people to be my friend, so let's move on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPeZzo2Zd2HzxYCL-jtxdUaRmZHc5bMlfCF_BKDWPD9c9QBYwZvMTRSTltlmohq4XhzXH-DZcYewhEAgjQiKXMFfbIlluYBrllkuumLwdrhyphenhyphenJhTfPT_1KHD-F2sxPz2ZoHvHwIV6QhkPTTZD9_B3TQ3saDlq7gs6ge6H1Ija_luV-ZhgZPHjiYOf7jts/s4032/IMG_3476.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPeZzo2Zd2HzxYCL-jtxdUaRmZHc5bMlfCF_BKDWPD9c9QBYwZvMTRSTltlmohq4XhzXH-DZcYewhEAgjQiKXMFfbIlluYBrllkuumLwdrhyphenhyphenJhTfPT_1KHD-F2sxPz2ZoHvHwIV6QhkPTTZD9_B3TQ3saDlq7gs6ge6H1Ija_luV-ZhgZPHjiYOf7jts/w300-h400/IMG_3476.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks to a ticket buying cock-up on my part, my wife and I ended up with VIP tickets. Basically, that means that we paid twice the price out friends did and ended up standing with them anyway albeit we at least had something they didn't - a Depeche Mode toilet bag featuring a candle (above) and an eye mask (that and toilet bag below). It also has a lanyard in it too with text on the back making it abundantly clear that wearing it entitles you to no perks at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDc3DYaPZvsb-qteamdvcaAVv0HWD-ib7K_n1NpJjrjsTOk4hotPcj-2R-1RpVXjEQwZNdTqVOilbA0KjPtbfYM9uhTGBo6DfW_jmQlJ_on8_KTT1EueyBmzWzJgkerd7104GeUexRIIvsUXdNqPfIrYklwJvqaoO1hujL6MBsgVIBDa3iynPmpMt5k/s5712/IMG_3477.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDc3DYaPZvsb-qteamdvcaAVv0HWD-ib7K_n1NpJjrjsTOk4hotPcj-2R-1RpVXjEQwZNdTqVOilbA0KjPtbfYM9uhTGBo6DfW_jmQlJ_on8_KTT1EueyBmzWzJgkerd7104GeUexRIIvsUXdNqPfIrYklwJvqaoO1hujL6MBsgVIBDa3iynPmpMt5k/w300-h400/IMG_3477.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Believe it or not, it's not the only Depeche Mode candle that I own. I think the one below might be a bit more in demand however.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHiYPszooWN8S37QGaWWezjacvCXE4laBQUNmyKMWz-aybkvInID-LeuTrQ4OL4iWZu0S6xhKkOrAt8R5CbiR9PErsrkQmNSf-v9wItTKYwnDAem0vXdbAUoHH806dfDXqlkm9uGBRFqa22jEbR0oPwSBC4sHblP8CUJvPBXZj66LGwcsWI_-Q9gybas/s2048/IMG_3478.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHiYPszooWN8S37QGaWWezjacvCXE4laBQUNmyKMWz-aybkvInID-LeuTrQ4OL4iWZu0S6xhKkOrAt8R5CbiR9PErsrkQmNSf-v9wItTKYwnDAem0vXdbAUoHH806dfDXqlkm9uGBRFqa22jEbR0oPwSBC4sHblP8CUJvPBXZj66LGwcsWI_-Q9gybas/w300-h400/IMG_3478.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, to the concert itself. Nadine Shah was superb. I must admit that I'd not heard much of her work before but I was converted immediately. She was a great fit as a support act and if you get the chance to see her on her remaining support slots on this tour, make sure you do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3w3G6OZr1Q888h4O6ACz23AFW9icFHLSkSJZ6HAIVPf-g-TMLzYREUO5lfNiMytKqG4mfyEGugKsjUj2tLQ9tQQR69VgBxrcsTnQwDzmTZfdvru7YTzEnA4Zdvq7SVCNagFbCIDZHx2Fa3KTI-_d_O2Pdo5fzIZY0O_YP_a0FmkOvn5UgpC4yzTVmow/s4032/IMG_3409.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3w3G6OZr1Q888h4O6ACz23AFW9icFHLSkSJZ6HAIVPf-g-TMLzYREUO5lfNiMytKqG4mfyEGugKsjUj2tLQ9tQQR69VgBxrcsTnQwDzmTZfdvru7YTzEnA4Zdvq7SVCNagFbCIDZHx2Fa3KTI-_d_O2Pdo5fzIZY0O_YP_a0FmkOvn5UgpC4yzTVmow/w400-h300/IMG_3409.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Hydro in Glasgow can sometimes sound a but crap but there we're no issues at all last Wednesday. Depeche sounded superb. It was great to see the lights and backdrops for the first few songs indoors too as, until last week, I'd only seen stadium gigs on the tour. The lighting for the opening two tracks <i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i> and <i>Wagging Tongue</i> works brilliantly with those songs. The first half of the set featured a couple of newish changes. It may be maligned by many people, but <i>Policy Of Truth</i> is a bloody marvellous song and it sounded huge in the Hydro. <i>Before We Drown</i> has rightly gone down well since its introduction to the set in London and it sounds fantastic live. It's great to see the band adding in a brand new track late in the tour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Jarx17lBI8uGPsskEV5uoeFF1KDmaFm7686-2TukfG2AH5g0DGJnKaGyJEVLcfII6a9STbDgaV-9A4-j5ueY8SDH5Qr8vVFPsCy6GH6M-AzxcDoLez2tKiNH9gOYynWk0CnvhFuMHXELzhGYL-XXuAJf3Dsq_YVhrW5ABqxH0OB7wpU-89q3c_b8JYM/s4032/IMG_3428.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Jarx17lBI8uGPsskEV5uoeFF1KDmaFm7686-2TukfG2AH5g0DGJnKaGyJEVLcfII6a9STbDgaV-9A4-j5ueY8SDH5Qr8vVFPsCy6GH6M-AzxcDoLez2tKiNH9gOYynWk0CnvhFuMHXELzhGYL-XXuAJf3Dsq_YVhrW5ABqxH0OB7wpU-89q3c_b8JYM/w400-h300/IMG_3428.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Martin's two songs, <i>Strangelove</i> and <i>Somebody, </i>were wonderful but then I always love Martin's mini set. I also love the version of <i>I Feel You</i> they play on this tour. It's shorter than previous versions and that really helps the song retain its punch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMhYbh72ysz9g_GN8uGxn0UJJZrpu61uTrwfVDlLLYdjLIvcVVzE10pou6qoZy9WG3xjdkVc0j1yBkG85GuhgfLxR31Vn5jDUY77LoW-aJvPEr2rGhyphenhyphen5wTC9E460kYwj48gbFFtcKkUdr5B1OzuMKL1u1FlA4QMk8O8YV2BAqGX6W7s-XBD2ES0ZDUAI/s4032/IMG_3433.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMhYbh72ysz9g_GN8uGxn0UJJZrpu61uTrwfVDlLLYdjLIvcVVzE10pou6qoZy9WG3xjdkVc0j1yBkG85GuhgfLxR31Vn5jDUY77LoW-aJvPEr2rGhyphenhyphen5wTC9E460kYwj48gbFFtcKkUdr5B1OzuMKL1u1FlA4QMk8O8YV2BAqGX6W7s-XBD2ES0ZDUAI/w400-h300/IMG_3433.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Behind The Wheel</i> is a welcome addition to the setlist and it's great to see it played with the video on the screens however, I do find its addition at the expense of <i>World In My Eyes</i> a slightly odd one. At last summer's shows, and indeed every show until <i>Behind The Wheel </i>joined the set, <i>World In My Eyes </i>featured a special film that exclusively featured Fletch. It was his favourite song and it gave everyone the chance to pay tribute to him. Personally, I found it very moving each time I saw it and I don't know of any Depeche fans who didn't feel the same. Losing that from the <i>Memento Mori</i> setlist does take something away and that's a shame. Ultimately, the band have paid beautiful tribute to Andy since the album was announced and they may well feel they don't need to keep doing that which is of course entirely their right. Andy's loss was so vast however that it seems a pity that we no longer see that film. While he does of course feature in the <i>Behind The Wheel</i> video, everyone else does too. I don't know, it might be the emotion of both gigs still catching up with me and perhaps this is all just the ramblings of a man who spends too much time thinking about these things. We all still miss you a lot Fletch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_a98KJH9X6Opgn5bQrNXVomNfrOJ7-zdvr3THjKfXGY4IHSZNhMlh57Ozjdj7ZyjaC69KM2f9NJbnXvgiin_d_kYsSb0J93BczIvtq7W14NhSWuXgBEJ7DAYum4QoEOARa_U3v4kWwnX4o_7rxB2hVZAXbOrPB0v160-UIxzk-XrNM1NZ3dGZVPFwp8/s4032/IMG_3443.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_a98KJH9X6Opgn5bQrNXVomNfrOJ7-zdvr3THjKfXGY4IHSZNhMlh57Ozjdj7ZyjaC69KM2f9NJbnXvgiin_d_kYsSb0J93BczIvtq7W14NhSWuXgBEJ7DAYum4QoEOARa_U3v4kWwnX4o_7rxB2hVZAXbOrPB0v160-UIxzk-XrNM1NZ3dGZVPFwp8/w400-h300/IMG_3443.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There was one more track I hadn't heard on this tour and it didn't disappoint - <i>Black Celebration.</i> For years, the band haven't quite nailed this but on this tour it is incredible. The new intro really builds the mood and the song is stunning. I went quite berserk when it came on and when they followed it with a thunderous <i>Stripped</i>, I lost my marbles. Two of the finest songs any band has ever written. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3uu1cpYin23iPu2utM3l8XluSq2xlungGGHxeR2qBgzIs7gW-QdnEY00tDg45drtX1t1Rc0AW6g5igRT5tDwXC7fQzAAdOp8QrPqccYjImiaYgo1-3-KJeTsgU36RfTW8RbWP5OS303IB65_Qi6_v4ApHL4PyWKpvrgufGxtPZreJTNEHFhmYU_UtzM/s4032/IMG_3452.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3uu1cpYin23iPu2utM3l8XluSq2xlungGGHxeR2qBgzIs7gW-QdnEY00tDg45drtX1t1Rc0AW6g5igRT5tDwXC7fQzAAdOp8QrPqccYjImiaYgo1-3-KJeTsgU36RfTW8RbWP5OS303IB65_Qi6_v4ApHL4PyWKpvrgufGxtPZreJTNEHFhmYU_UtzM/w400-h300/IMG_3452.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The ones that followed weren't bad either of course. <i>Enjoy The Silence </i>sent the entire arena crazy. My friends were jumping around, singing along and everyone around us was too, even the chap behind us who knew all the words but none of the tune. <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> did what it always does and the closing <i>Personal Jesus</i> almost took the roof off the venue. Absolutely brilliant. Happily, my friends loved it too from the concert veterans such as the two Johns and Andrew, to the debutants. Sharing that gig in my home town with my closest friends was a glorious experience and, the band never play in Glasgow again, that was fine last visit to the city for them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Saturday 3rd February, 3Arena, Dublin</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLn4QH2yeQTrzEkAt8y-blfYEaJKBc9Q3rtUdmaTnfphXAdI1M6i0AGWb3ZbP0Ws_mxP4a6OdyTj1fh15_5xxOJxtWTRxeRf1g598PBMGSFBFtL7dS6WJlWV-zmT5V7ztq1bYV6ETosWjPqoFejbWPE4RLEHqYfahIPp53BI_-uRwlFLZnMENMNyRxYA/s1600/c24a0aa1-4556-4eeb-9edf-489d62ae8fc4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLn4QH2yeQTrzEkAt8y-blfYEaJKBc9Q3rtUdmaTnfphXAdI1M6i0AGWb3ZbP0Ws_mxP4a6OdyTj1fh15_5xxOJxtWTRxeRf1g598PBMGSFBFtL7dS6WJlWV-zmT5V7ztq1bYV6ETosWjPqoFejbWPE4RLEHqYfahIPp53BI_-uRwlFLZnMENMNyRxYA/w300-h400/c24a0aa1-4556-4eeb-9edf-489d62ae8fc4.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My word, Dublin was good. The 3Arena really is a tremendous place to see a concert. The venue is big but still feels intimate and the sound, always good whenever I've been there before, was incredible this time. The day before the gig we had a rare old time enjoying a medically unwise amount of Guinness and meeting a few DM fans around the city. That carried outside the gig the next day with the t-shirts again attracting a few hellos. It really is a very odd but lovely experience to meet people who say they love the blog. What started as a way for me to post a few pictures of records really has taken a turn I didn't see coming. On that note, hello to Andy Ryan who we chatted to outside the arena.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObK6LaQvqh1NN_UNsvOUjZOrw8zSDo1JXOYI6nh_yJLeZ08wTH-fMg1v4aaSZA46zV7NmzDM7aqFZItm_u1lKzprkKKhHtCWGhoEahxOtRi_dXb4EPRsf5e1Jt1ZIJo-gVa7hHCTQirQ4SpadD16IX8ehWkWx6x7eZ3S6EFS7dNP9MAF07VEsa4y_wMY/s4032/IMG_3566.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObK6LaQvqh1NN_UNsvOUjZOrw8zSDo1JXOYI6nh_yJLeZ08wTH-fMg1v4aaSZA46zV7NmzDM7aqFZItm_u1lKzprkKKhHtCWGhoEahxOtRi_dXb4EPRsf5e1Jt1ZIJo-gVa7hHCTQirQ4SpadD16IX8ehWkWx6x7eZ3S6EFS7dNP9MAF07VEsa4y_wMY/w400-h300/IMG_3566.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The set was the same as Glasgow in the main and that was no problem at all as it was bloody marvellous. Every song sounded incredible and the band were on great form, seemingly more relaxed than normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbyeWG3nKDeEhLaXGCYe2uCYG8jTEEn0QbMRz1LKsN3kyHZGGH6yG2K9DjR5MoMrEEHXWfjh_6aVYMiG_w-q_0uVNgf5NAAyNn8hFGXTGVTrqN67_P-6Nyczi5tMa7sCH1h_szQEUXbfXeDFHmJz5GiMdSSRjae2DgaDtG0pXN-DjgbI93_ZUQ5jMMZc/s2886/IMG_3545.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="2886" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbyeWG3nKDeEhLaXGCYe2uCYG8jTEEn0QbMRz1LKsN3kyHZGGH6yG2K9DjR5MoMrEEHXWfjh_6aVYMiG_w-q_0uVNgf5NAAyNn8hFGXTGVTrqN67_P-6Nyczi5tMa7sCH1h_szQEUXbfXeDFHmJz5GiMdSSRjae2DgaDtG0pXN-DjgbI93_ZUQ5jMMZc/w400-h305/IMG_3545.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The encore contained the one change from Glasgow and one change that I had not yet seen on the tour. Instead of <i>Waiting For The Night</i> we got <i>Condemnation </i>which I was particularly pleased with as my tuneless roaring along would attest to. Once again, the closing <i>Personal Jesus </i>threatened to take the roof off the place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Tuesday 6th February, Glasgow</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Back in the real world, I've been able to reflect not only on two incredible gigs but also on what made them feel so special. As ever, there is always the feeling that the last leg of any Depeche tour is the last leg they will ever play. They are getting older, as are we, and there is no way that they can do this indefinitely. With the band stripped down to just Martin and Dave now, they may not want to do this again, despite the clear fun they are having every night. No-one outside Dave and Martin know what they want to do of course but I couldn't help feeling that this might be the last big tour, if not the last tour full stop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If it is to be the last time, then I got to enjoy two of the last Depeche gigs I will see with my friends having a wonderful time enjoying a band that has been a huge part of our lives. Having a great time with great friends soundtracked by the greatest music I have ever heard is no bad way to spend a few days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That's what made Glasgow and Dublin so special. That's what makes Depeche Mode so special.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-31745120223273626792024-01-25T19:55:00.007+00:002024-01-25T21:55:43.931+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, UTILITA ARENA, BIRMINGHAM, 24 JANUARY 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePeGs4TPoUequRe1nH5wVcaXNuPeawZktXG0OBboNu6sT47mMqKUGFvcWNw7Zc_EAzCsGPV1fQpMxTbUAW2fYbJ7G8JlenGjmWvux0k_wa5dmSYaskYAtqIIgr8QhjjfV3hNYRpNB9sabnMFB05k37S7o7N9ntwshUU02j04yZ4V1RQzCX1Xy-8HCSQg/s1080/Brum%204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePeGs4TPoUequRe1nH5wVcaXNuPeawZktXG0OBboNu6sT47mMqKUGFvcWNw7Zc_EAzCsGPV1fQpMxTbUAW2fYbJ7G8JlenGjmWvux0k_wa5dmSYaskYAtqIIgr8QhjjfV3hNYRpNB9sabnMFB05k37S7o7N9ntwshUU02j04yZ4V1RQzCX1Xy-8HCSQg/w400-h400/Brum%204.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>On the last tour, Shaun Coward a.k.a <a href="https://twitter.com/PollicyOfTruth">@PollicyOfTruth</a> on Twitter's (not X, never X), review of the Birmingham gig was one a Global Spirit Tour Project highlight. Five years on, he's older, certainly no wiser but, happily for all of us, just as keen to give us his thoughts on the Depeche Mode live experience. This is a great read. Thanks Shaun. All pictures are courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group. If they are yours, let me know and I'll credit you quite happily.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTzujieafEFx6hX8cRccqlizCURMg-qeipYtAFJXLxucbLjhEzbaZYBmVg5RiF5ITjDe559KFi4aLRRz0KNM2Flv441EvYq0GM2DWzCeLej4Bp-b60LhwKrNrTxxX23UzUdA-gdBK1H3GjEUNrb8VNwU8tjgcMqbWTnq5mJDL_n4pSlHA1lAc2xG09Lc/s1080/Brum%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTzujieafEFx6hX8cRccqlizCURMg-qeipYtAFJXLxucbLjhEzbaZYBmVg5RiF5ITjDe559KFi4aLRRz0KNM2Flv441EvYq0GM2DWzCeLej4Bp-b60LhwKrNrTxxX23UzUdA-gdBK1H3GjEUNrb8VNwU8tjgcMqbWTnq5mJDL_n4pSlHA1lAc2xG09Lc/w400-h400/Brum%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s no fun getting older, is it? There were several moments last night when I was reminded of 15-year-old me, happy but shivering with my closest friends in the December snow outside the nearby NEC, prior to the final date on the World Violation Tour. There was no conversation about whether we would do that, no decision to be made. You are 15. You have a standing ticket to see Depeche Mode. You will therefore get to the venue as early as you can and wait for as long as it takes. If it snows, it snows. When the doors open and you are in the arena, you will run. You will be slowed down by a line of security. Then you will really run, until the point where you meet a solid line of bodies and you stop, claiming your space and becoming part of the crowd. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then you wait. And then, after paying your dues, you get your reward. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Naturally that changed as I got older. Being as close as possible to the front became less important, the company of friends took on greater meaning. Or to put it another way, we became big fans of spending all afternoon on the piss and turning up for the concert about ten minutes before the start. But tonight was like going back in time, a bit. Because tonight is no place for beery larks. This evening needs a hero. It needs: Responsible Dad. And some Voltarol if you’ve got any. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My daughter is 17. This isn’t her first Depeche Mode concert, my wife and I took her to the NEC for the Delta Machine show when she was 7. In truth she was probably a bit too young. Fatigue began to set in, and by the encores she was fading fast. But my reasoning for taking her then was that she might do that annoying thing children do when they start growing up into teenagers: having their own opinions about music. And whilst she definitely does have those, I needn’t have worried about her going off Depeche Mode. So here we are, back in Birmingham and back in the pub for a pre-gig drink with a difference: I’m on the Coke. (Not even proper Coke, I’m drinking Coke Zero. What have I become?)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aware that the doors open at 6pm and also that The Girl would like a good spot, at 5.30 I finally acquiesce to her gentle requests that we shift our arses. We leave the Malt House and cross the canal, and at this point I’m still envisaging it taking no time at all for us to get in, and am silently grumbling to myself about us being too early. I am, as you can see, seriously out of practice at this ‘getting a good spot’ lark. We arrive at Gate C to find that several hundred other people have already decided that getting in the queue would be a good idea. I feel a bit stupid. But we join up, and it only takes just over 30 minutes to get in once the doors have opened. We’re in, and my plan at this point is just to get onto the floor, let The Girl check it out then go for a mooch. But then we walk through to be greeted by… space. There is the stage. No space at any of the barriers obviously but we are able to casually walk up to within a few feet of the end of the catwalk. It’s not even 7pm and I realise that this is it: we’re not moving from here. This is too good a spot to lose. I have been this close to Depeche Mode before but not for many years, and who knows if it’ll happen again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjfoMow31vunbReY4UGXS2uPGEwjfcfKVaD-kiGeDxL5c5WHfkjgkKd6UTFh2Sr1hWZk9gIBm3oPKhdMW5nqqYt_UXV6VkzdvZIPMUqfriJ-Kjq5cey-IhJVV_WneP7vBnFs3hb4pnRZgQxXUQV1F8TL9tOlcZqWn6yAh-opg5b9NCX8K2GOMYStPoxg/s1800/Brum%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjfoMow31vunbReY4UGXS2uPGEwjfcfKVaD-kiGeDxL5c5WHfkjgkKd6UTFh2Sr1hWZk9gIBm3oPKhdMW5nqqYt_UXV6VkzdvZIPMUqfriJ-Kjq5cey-IhJVV_WneP7vBnFs3hb4pnRZgQxXUQV1F8TL9tOlcZqWn6yAh-opg5b9NCX8K2GOMYStPoxg/w320-h400/Brum%201.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We will need water, so I race off to get some. I’m not risking another toilet trip so just have to hope that my bladder plays ball (so to speak). And so we wait. At first I’m slightly concerned at what sort of physical state I’m going to be in by the time the show starts, but we get chatting to some other fans and the time passes quickly enough. (I would like to apologise to the softly spoken lady in front of me, whose story I was only able to hear snippets of. The Girl later fills me in: her first DM gig was at Kent University in 1982, she was back stage afterwards and managed to get Fletch’s tie, which she is wearing! I missed at least two crucial details to this tale, resulting in my reaction being a lot less “NO WAY THAT’S AMAZING!” than it should’ve been.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s soon time for Nadine Shah. I would probably file this away under ‘not really my thing’ but she is an impressive performer and gets a good reception from the audience, definitely not a given with a Depeche Mode crowd! Her set is a short one, and pretty soon she’s off, replaced by Martin’s faultless pre-gig soundtrack. It’s at this point I notice that the temperature has risen pretty sharply. I love a hot sweaty gig (madam) so it’s no problem for me. But shout out to the gentleman on my left who must surely have been cursing his decision to wear an Arran sweater, and not just for sartorial reasons. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much talk of artists such as Madonna taking to the stage late in the papers recently. Depeche Mode are the very definition of professionalism and punctuality. You get the distinct impression that they’d rather be back at the hotel before midnight than fanny around starting the show, and so at 8.45, it’s time for business. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, there are no changes in the early part of the set. <i>My Cosmos Is Mine </i>is heavy and just the right kind of dirty, it feels perfectly suited to the heat and anticipation of the audience. <i>Wagging Tongue</i> up next, and you know how it goes. It’s great, and clearly the number of people singing along indicates that the Swarm has taken the song to its heart (which is probably made of coal or something). But let’s be honest, at least half the venue knows what’s coming next and by Christ they are ready for it. <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> is as thunderous as ever and this concert has gone from first gear to light speed in the blink of an eye. Martin’s guitar soars over our heads (not literally, although his impressive shoulder muscles indicate he could probably clear at least the first few rows with it). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We’re in the thick of it now. The Girl is jumping, the whole place (okay, the bit where I was standing) is lost in a mixture of love and HOW FUCKING GOOD IS IT TO HEAR THIS BAND PLAY THESE SONGS. The run of tracks from <i>It’s No Good</i> to <i>Precious</i> is faultless, although I’ll always prefer the album version of <i>In Your Room</i>. <i>Policy Of Truth</i> sounds better to my ear than it has in years and years. <i>Everything Counts</i> prompts the obligatory singalong, which Dave claims was “WAY better than London” (and yes, I’m sure he says that to all the girls). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgAt8bbthYh46fKEsSuuoCzAazgD4Ey_BPmTrBDRmggAJrcszRZk7M_oG-Esdx59UwFtvf3-U7YzVhvbqkzROfmkteWIHvutYI_CH21Jz6mzmM0gYq4kTohjHWxf5_Gvl7QCrj2hM-t3h0WDbYxbrpyq8hQ7OPZrULGmh6VSbGraD4GGrh7qK1ADrcog/s1080/Brum%203.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgAt8bbthYh46fKEsSuuoCzAazgD4Ey_BPmTrBDRmggAJrcszRZk7M_oG-Esdx59UwFtvf3-U7YzVhvbqkzROfmkteWIHvutYI_CH21Jz6mzmM0gYq4kTohjHWxf5_Gvl7QCrj2hM-t3h0WDbYxbrpyq8hQ7OPZrULGmh6VSbGraD4GGrh7qK1ADrcog/w400-h400/Brum%203.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Precious</i> hits hard. I’ve never been a huge fan of it as a live track, it sits with <i>Barrel Of A Gun</i> and a few others that don’t really work for me. I’m not sure I could put my finger on what was different with it last night but it was immense, a real highlight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’m very happy that they play <i>Speak To Me</i>. Dave’s performance is full of emotion and the lines, “<i>I will disappoint you, I will let you down</i>” have me choking back a few tears. Dave’s all round vocal and physical performance tonight is out-of-this-world good. There just doesn’t seem to be any drop off at all, it’s still there. The voice, the spins, the moves, the hips. What the fuck else are you going to do, Dave? Play golf? Bollocks to retirement, you’re in this for life. And so as the closing strains of Speak To Me fill the arena, he buggers off round the back for a cup of tea and a fag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Martin acoustic bit, then. I have mixed feelings about this, I always have. Tonight we are treated to <i>Strangelove </i>and <i>Heaven</i>, and despite<i> Strangelove</i> being my favourite song of the two by a very long way, it is <i>Heaven </i>that provides the more arresting performance. I would still have preferred <i>A Question Of Lust</i> to either of them, and that’s not even mentioning <i>Home</i>. But it’s great to be so close to Martin at the end of that catwalk, and both me and The Girl are having the time of our lives. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave’s back for a bit of <i>I Feel You</i>. I may be misremembering but it seemed like he missed his cue on this one. <i>I Feel You </i>is another song I could live without and I felt tonight, as I often have, that it lacked a bit of energy. Which is an odd thing to say about a song that should be full of it, but there we are. There wasn’t anything wrong with it per se, it just sounded a bit flat. <i>A Pain That I’m Used To</i> is fine - not a favourite of mine but those I’m around in the audience are certainly into it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They’re revving up for the first big finish now, and it’s proper ‘don’t move or you’ll miss something brilliant’ territory. <i>World In My Eyes, Black Celebration, Stripped, John The Revelator</i> and <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>. What a run of songs that is. They don’t let up, it’s like getting punched in the face by brilliance over and over again. This version of <i>Black Celebration</i> seems to have garnered mixed opinions: I think it is INCREDIBLE. The lighting, the arrangement, it’s just perfect. The only thing that could improve it would be getting Dave back into those leather trousers. C’mon Dave. I bet they still fit. If Madonna can manage four costume changes during a gig, surely you can change your strides.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Stripped</i> is an absurdly good song, a monster of a track that always sounds as if it could fill a venue twice the size of wherever it’s being played - because it could. If I was going to nitpick I’d say that the mix on this version isn’t the best, some parts seemed to get a little bit lost. But that could be down to the sound in the Utilita Arena, which isn’t great. (Although markedly better than it was when I saw them here in 2017.) But really, when you’re lost in the swirl of such an iconic Depeche Mode moment, minor criticisms like that seem churlish and, well, a bit daft. It’s not really the point, the point is how you feel. And aside from the back ache and sore feet, I’m feeling pretty fucking euphoric. So where do you go from there? E<i>njoy The Silence</i>, of course. This part of the show is like being on a rollercoaster, but every time you drop down a huge, thrilling descent, it turns out there’s another, bigger one just around the corner. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Enjoy The Silence</i> does its job. And that job is to rip out my insides, throw them into a cocktail shaker, fill my head with endorphins and my eyes with tears, before depositing the whole heaving, crying, sweaty mess back onto a concrete floor in Birmingham. This is the end of the main part of the concert and again I’m thinking about that last night on the World Violation Tour, about how I was so full of adrenaline at the end of that concert and here I am, more than 33 years later, feeling like that kid again. It’s powerful stuff, this music. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The encore we all know is coming kicks off with <i>Waiting For The Night</i>. As the chaps are just a couple of metres away and directly in front of us, I have to suppress my instinct to film the whole thing and I’m glad I didn’t. I definitely don’t have a photographic memory but I will remember how that made me feel for a very long time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve long been an advocate for dropping<i> Just Can’t Get Enough</i> from the set, and yet… Naturally I am disgracing myself with some decidedly ‘dad’ moves and a grin that suggests I’ve taken enough MDMA to kill a horse. <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> doesn’t suffer from being ousted from its CORRECT spot as concert-ender by <i>Personal Jesus</i>. Both songs are peak Depeche Mode, the crowd plays its part and more besides. In moments like this it’s like time stands still. How privileged we are to be a part of this thing. And I mean everyone, the band, the audience, anyone in the vicinity with a passing interest in music and an appreciation of what it is to be happy. There is a lot to worry about in this world, but nights like tonight take that worry away, even if only for a while. They leave us a bit lighter, a bit happier, a bit more ready to face the next day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depeche Mode have not always been a band that appeared to be enjoying themselves on stage, as we all know. Even if you watch some of their most pivotal performances from their past, there is not always the sense that they themselves were having a good time. The love and enjoyment positively flows off the stage now, it hits you in waves. It’s been like this for a while, admittedly. They found their way; whatever it was they had to do to get to this point, they did it. Maybe they had to work at it. Maybe it just happened naturally over time. Either way, in these moments of FEELING THE LOVE it is of course impossible not to think of Fletch. There were so many points last night where I thought “he’d have bloody loved this”, and you know he would. Peter and Christian are excellent foils to Martin and Dave and great musicians in their own right, but there is an Andy-shaped hole in this band and there always will be. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But being pummelled into a heap by the sheer love and euphoria will do for now. It’s been an unforgettable night, and despite how completely exhausted I am by the end, I wouldn’t change anything about it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the lights come up and we slowly file out of a now boiling Utilita Arena, I think about these two sexagenarians holding an arena audience in the palm of their hands and having the time of their lives doing it. Maybe it IS fun getting older.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you Shaun</div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-67693464002005005232024-01-23T16:35:00.002+00:002024-01-23T16:35:34.249+00:00A MEMENTO : DEPECHE MODE, O2 ARENA, LONDON 22 JANUARY 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVHhN9MifkkbE8xQK1UOS45D13Dc7cqKtFfKOpS-5UKd2ebyTK3V3YkoJ_5XB1JwllsjPgMASlAMtUbctwNjQBsKvdWwo06vVOR8Z242huR5QTVIQCoAKsK4cV7LQ1teZD3Sm7OjK3yDqiDsBzvNYCloDOvFKwDoC9V2-Vc2Oqj9nMp6g5TepElVi2Iw/s2112/image0%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2112" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVHhN9MifkkbE8xQK1UOS45D13Dc7cqKtFfKOpS-5UKd2ebyTK3V3YkoJ_5XB1JwllsjPgMASlAMtUbctwNjQBsKvdWwo06vVOR8Z242huR5QTVIQCoAKsK4cV7LQ1teZD3Sm7OjK3yDqiDsBzvNYCloDOvFKwDoC9V2-Vc2Oqj9nMp6g5TepElVi2Iw/w400-h268/image0%20(1).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We're back. The next and possibly final leg of the Memento Mori tour kicked off in London last night. Paul Jones was there and this is his review. Photos are his unless otherwise credited. Thanks very much indeed Paul.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisl9J1gkrGPstbQMM_xWk4tlEqkqrSc2SJbXZ8k5MFS-Nqn7yZWDCNkdxH8GWElhoLzkWu7ZcjXDcRQkhldiHhrNZ3zVaUiJxipvLf8MHoUr8vmxfbhf7dHuIkHF3HD4IQ3NbNHTLMLHt6EULfJlltYgmskqGxOkjOIb4w-pH2GHM8CE2mw34o9OVdqM/s1920/DepecheMode-london-1920x1080-03f959ab97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisl9J1gkrGPstbQMM_xWk4tlEqkqrSc2SJbXZ8k5MFS-Nqn7yZWDCNkdxH8GWElhoLzkWu7ZcjXDcRQkhldiHhrNZ3zVaUiJxipvLf8MHoUr8vmxfbhf7dHuIkHF3HD4IQ3NbNHTLMLHt6EULfJlltYgmskqGxOkjOIb4w-pH2GHM8CE2mw34o9OVdqM/w400-h225/DepecheMode-london-1920x1080-03f959ab97.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am writing this as a very tired Depeche Mode fan on the train home back to Wales. The O2 Arena in London hosted the first show of the new European leg and what many fans believe to be the last leg of the Memento Mori World Tour.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to admit, for the four shows I attended last year, I didn’t know early entry existed until after I bought all my tickets in October 2022. So for this new leg I was set on getting early entry tickets for a number of shows. I grabbed an early entry ticket for this show in the O2 Priority pre-sale back in July 2023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had already attended an arena show on this tour. The first show of the first European leg back in May 2023 in Amsterdam at the Ziggo Dome. For me, arena shows and stadium shows both have their perks. Stadium shows are great because it’s such a huge event. In Berlin last year I was one of 71,000 Depeche Mode fans at the Olympiastadion. The downsides of stadiums are it can be absolutely boiling hot or chucking it down with rain, you can be quite far away from the band and acoustics can be hit and miss. Arenas are a much more intimate experience, you are a lot closer to the band.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been to the O2 Arena in London 3 times before but never for Depeche Mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was curious what sort of fan-run queue would be in place for the early entry ticket holders so I headed over to the venue at around 13:30 on show day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, when arriving at North Greenwich Underground Station, you’ll see the sign that the station staff write for every band/artist that is performing at the O2 Arena.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN3dJ5z-5UL95weFDDkPVNX0JN-5j3doI4FQ9DR5MkKIejKKGu0JPTRVXYcat_0td039sw38r4dc_4CXKtACPGiL8E1fqaa1B5VSJ7r3gekf_3vLb_CqxsQvwQcY9PGCle0mvFrI8qMBjJyb1GNK1qL4VsWuy9osypzsdJlbCRz0SqodCbgHjmGgSadM/s2048/ALLONTB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN3dJ5z-5UL95weFDDkPVNX0JN-5j3doI4FQ9DR5MkKIejKKGu0JPTRVXYcat_0td039sw38r4dc_4CXKtACPGiL8E1fqaa1B5VSJ7r3gekf_3vLb_CqxsQvwQcY9PGCle0mvFrI8qMBjJyb1GNK1qL4VsWuy9osypzsdJlbCRz0SqodCbgHjmGgSadM/w310-h400/ALLONTB.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="https://twitter.com/allontheboard">@allontheboard</a> - Twitter</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Entrance F was the gate for all the early entry ticket holders. On arrival I was greeted by a line of hardcore fans. I was told by those running the line there weren’t many fans from the UK in the line at that point and that I was probably the youngest in the queue at that time - I’m only 25… not even born when <i>Ultra</i> came out!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got my number - number 95. That’s not the highest or lowest number I’ve had whenever I’ve queued early for a band but I thought that wasn’t a bad number for a queue that started the day before. The line was pretty relaxed, this wasn’t a hardcore queue where you had to stay. You could come and go to get food, drinks, bathroom breaks, general breaks. Be back for 16:30 though for the early entry check-in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last time I queued like this for a band was for U2 back in 2018 on their eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour. So you could say I’m out of practice. One of the best things about queueing is meeting lots of different people and of course catching up with fans you haven’t seen in a while.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Early entry was smooth albeit a little late. I think it was 18:20 when we all went in. It’s always exciting entering the GA floor. As usual “Walk don’t run!” the security staff all say to us. So a very fast walk it is, for the first part at least! Overtake quite a few people in front of me by walking very fast and I spot a gap on the barrier at the b-stage. Now it’s time to run!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was really happy with this spot, I thought with being number 95 I would struggle to get a nice b-stage spot on the rail. For me, the b-stage is the best spot on this tour. You get to see the whole main stage with the screen and see the band up close when Martin and Dave come down the catwalk.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being at the front after being in a queue is a test of endurance, anyone who’s done it will understand what I’m talking about. The things you do for your favourite bands…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show starts of course with <i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i>. I really like it as an opener. It definitely works better in an arena than outdoors. It needs to be played in the dark.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first part of the show is really strong to me. <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> is superb this tour with Christian’s drumming. <i>It’s No Good</i> of course is one of my favourites - from my favourite Depeche Mode album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As debuted on the last leg in North America,<i> Policy Of Truth</i> gets it’s first performance in Europe since 2018. I really like<i> Policy Of Truth</i> but I feel this tour’s version isn’t that strong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first surprise of the night to me was Martin performing two acoustic songs! I was kind of disappointed I must admit. <i>Home</i> is one of my favourite Depeche Mode songs and I was really hoping for it to be played. Martin also comes down to the crowd at the end of <i>Home</i> so that would have been perfect. <i>Strangelove</i> was first of two piano songs. I had already heard <i>Strangelove</i> at Berlin 2 last year. It’s OK but I prefer other piano versions of songs like <i>Shake The Disease</i>. The second song being <i>Heaven</i> was a really nice surprise! Of course it had already been performed once before in Los Angeles but Martin’s version is really great. Nice to a Delta Machine song being performed. Spirit song next please!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the show Anton Corbijn was mulling around in between the stage and the barrier. The first time I saw him walk by I was taken aback. Anton was only using his phone to take photos, just like Amsterdam 1 in May 2023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think the second half of the show doesn’t pick up again for me until <i>John The Revelator</i>. I really enjoy that song and the crowd interaction with Dave.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Enjoy The Silence</i> lifts the entire arena and is great as always but my real highlight comes after the encore break.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7Sy0nHtb398F7l7pSH1zOULcp32OwAT03cA8kb0eajKlPFPBWffWY5LVPvflPbcUd-ZwHpiU2_-gtozEMgSinxo4YGz7WAIDTllBg2JVHhhjeuPSsOd7gNoC5BRlR7T_zR_TRzpK6t-0_TWbjbR5wUNtgtZm0Iob-IYribWNAn_0qTsI8YnMuAZBa5k/s2610/image1%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="2610" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7Sy0nHtb398F7l7pSH1zOULcp32OwAT03cA8kb0eajKlPFPBWffWY5LVPvflPbcUd-ZwHpiU2_-gtozEMgSinxo4YGz7WAIDTllBg2JVHhhjeuPSsOd7gNoC5BRlR7T_zR_TRzpK6t-0_TWbjbR5wUNtgtZm0Iob-IYribWNAn_0qTsI8YnMuAZBa5k/w400-h266/image1%20(1).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Condemnation</i>! One of my hopes was fulfilled after my wish for <i>Home</i> being played didn’t happen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such a special moment seeing that song being performed right in front of you and then Martin and Dave hugging at the end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was a funny moment at the start of <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i> with Peter coming in very early with one note. He got some laughs from Martin and Dave for that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal Jesus</i> to end the show always makes the whole audience happy and ends the show on a high.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Birmingham next although I’ll have to take it easier than London, I’m very tired after it but it was worth it for sure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">See you next time!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks Paul.<br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-50186093782849992982023-12-27T10:42:00.002+00:002023-12-27T10:43:56.256+00:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE - THREE CONCERTS AND DEPECHE MODE DAY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzqBYc_CwZ8C1-KhbY8w4F3LA4Nl3OjpRxfRzbb3TZpxIufAaJ9tSkOJCWtaEkhhwFiGAG2i-QboSHKMFKSqYwwt-mLFXZLmV9TFdE7ia1joQWHnBiyHGzgeZ4z3gyT98cvIeqsFn1klBdhy4ZY12ddv3mlKYVHJvraLvOCoEu0bULUbsWuABlAvahyA/s4032/TIM%20COVER.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzqBYc_CwZ8C1-KhbY8w4F3LA4Nl3OjpRxfRzbb3TZpxIufAaJ9tSkOJCWtaEkhhwFiGAG2i-QboSHKMFKSqYwwt-mLFXZLmV9TFdE7ia1joQWHnBiyHGzgeZ4z3gyT98cvIeqsFn1klBdhy4ZY12ddv3mlKYVHJvraLvOCoEu0bULUbsWuABlAvahyA/w400-h300/TIM%20COVER.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>It's been nearly thirty years since Depeche Mode played in Australia so more and more of their Australian fanbase now make lengthy pilgrimages all over the world whenever a tour is announced. Despite some initial hopes that the band would play Australia on this tour, nothing was announced so Tim Sowden from Sydney decided to head to San Diego and Los Angeles to see the band in the US for the first time. Here is Tim's story, which takes in gigs in San Diego and Los Angeles and sees him present for the inaugural Depeche Mode Day. Thanks very much for this great piece Tim. All pictures are Tim's so if you do steal them, please credit him.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mXqaFSLsSQ2_hBwiAoU9TX_xvHIA9c7KE5odvCVLDfcdeSZ0yjxj057RlyRmGOEqzVFdNHXpMFYI1aHg1PdjM4Rw9A0NSYiULsanFX8ZVI9ZEt5jaBVSDslF6EwUHdSHCbZWUZft5UY_xa7DfBZNbD5KNy8iQNzQEXO_HvvpkI9CvXPMy2wHnUcIJFE/s4032/DM%20DAY.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mXqaFSLsSQ2_hBwiAoU9TX_xvHIA9c7KE5odvCVLDfcdeSZ0yjxj057RlyRmGOEqzVFdNHXpMFYI1aHg1PdjM4Rw9A0NSYiULsanFX8ZVI9ZEt5jaBVSDslF6EwUHdSHCbZWUZft5UY_xa7DfBZNbD5KNy8iQNzQEXO_HvvpkI9CvXPMy2wHnUcIJFE/w400-h300/DM%20DAY.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Merry Christmas to all Depeche Mode fans out there, and I hope you all have a safe and happy 2024. The past 12 months have had some special moments and it’s an honour to share some with you on this blog, including reviews of three of the recent shows on the recently concluded third leg of the Memento Mori tour.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can’t promise the scientific detail or acerbic wit of David’s usual posts but I am excited to share some insights from my backstage tours and adventures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indeed, ‘Depeche Mode Day’ itself was proclaimed on in LA 13 December. It was standing on those steps of Los Angeles City Hall that sunny SoCal afternoon that it dawned on me how far I had come in my DM journey.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Geographically, it had been 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometres), 15 hours by plane from the shores of Sydney, Australia, with my wife and three kids under 10 in tow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Musically, it had been 23 years since first hearing <i>Dream On</i> on Top of the Pops, when I became a fan of the greatest band in the world, slowly discovering the back catalogue (including <i>Violator</i>, and I commend the book ‘Halo’ to you).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But being an Aussie DM fan requires a certain faith and devotion. Wearing reprinted <i>101</i>-era USA 1988 T-shirts or watching the Strangelove tribute act can be peaks of fandom Down Under, with tours to our continent long rumoured but never materialising. Six years ago, I took a leap and ventured to the UK, Germany and Italy (sharing my reviews with the DM Facebook Takeover and this blog). This time, I felt a calling to be among the American fan base that had, as Martin L Gore said on those City Hall steps, been such an important part of the band’s history.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so I went, blessed to have a US holiday based around an itinerary of three shows, each of which delivered surprises and saw Dave, Martin, Peter, Christian and sold-out arenas in rampaging form with slightly different setlists each night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>San Diego, Pechanga Arena, 8 December - Backstage Exclusives</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_lQfX1vNFPZJion5nq30jPosb6ctFZrD0GrQwjW8tqnd3tsCAncLpokwjlusDcSBxG2R4nH1QGnMippCD1wa8gQ_Gb6e4q4agxoOQYUW-UbIsGsKLOjB8wvnD2L0WUZ8_4ZH3xtGLt682cU8r-bo-kL5D2E85usRHltG4cNfXr1hVLpPbKRUg69KO5Q/s4032/Tim%20jez.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_lQfX1vNFPZJion5nq30jPosb6ctFZrD0GrQwjW8tqnd3tsCAncLpokwjlusDcSBxG2R4nH1QGnMippCD1wa8gQ_Gb6e4q4agxoOQYUW-UbIsGsKLOjB8wvnD2L0WUZ8_4ZH3xtGLt682cU8r-bo-kL5D2E85usRHltG4cNfXr1hVLpPbKRUg69KO5Q/w300-h400/Tim%20jez.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was lucky enough to bag a “Premium VIP Hospitality Package” for this performance, after waking at 3am Aussie time to get a ticket just as they went on sale. This included a backstage tour where we met Jez Webb, who’s been a trusted part of the DM touring machine since Devotional in 1993. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jez (above) was generous in opening the case to Martin’s guitar collection for the show, revealing how he came to be involved (a connection via Daryl Bamonte), his role on the night and answering all our questions. Martin’s guitars look as stunning up close as they do on stage, and apparently Gretsch is bringing out a special guitar in his honour in 2024.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aZ8D__q2UWb29LxR_TSJJB0vMmglluyh6aP7R8EKBiu72p9PS7KESbb1RACoxtY8e8MFHYGa0RxEV949JInHsovHxANLFcSPmkGTwqo-FHrlodEtdCq4eb5VJhqX8OUVBKrpLmMzY1pTTG_Vkp-1BuPUZxBosOnm39aoSngGzbEO8FCMK7DLFLIGlWs/s4032/TIM%20VIP%20pic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aZ8D__q2UWb29LxR_TSJJB0vMmglluyh6aP7R8EKBiu72p9PS7KESbb1RACoxtY8e8MFHYGa0RxEV949JInHsovHxANLFcSPmkGTwqo-FHrlodEtdCq4eb5VJhqX8OUVBKrpLmMzY1pTTG_Vkp-1BuPUZxBosOnm39aoSngGzbEO8FCMK7DLFLIGlWs/w300-h400/TIM%20VIP%20pic.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Afterwards, I mentioned I had come from Australia and he all but confirmed what friends had told me: sadly, they had planned to come to our country, but were no longer. I told him there were many DM fans in Oz – which is true – and they are welcome any time. He said at one stage they were ‘nearing the end of the tour’, which I took to mean there will be no post-April dates. For what it’s worth, my theory is they will use the four unreleased Memento Mori session tracks on a new project and do one final “world” tour.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK0UnossJE1uNhQVn4Db8eDZF3PZBZCNbMwgE7YYkmKjKXlVFlLJOwreagFGVFHZdaZnF4dxBFXXbBGGqj39TfJ0zrjMW9XU97851u5CQdxkcQOYsfHzlv2zqCDDy_6yIV5EgyqtajqB2av_NsoWioDxMcIZ85Csqv7KyKyCjGxPrQz9xzEyU6UKllcY/s4032/DM%20BONG.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK0UnossJE1uNhQVn4Db8eDZF3PZBZCNbMwgE7YYkmKjKXlVFlLJOwreagFGVFHZdaZnF4dxBFXXbBGGqj39TfJ0zrjMW9XU97851u5CQdxkcQOYsfHzlv2zqCDDy_6yIV5EgyqtajqB2av_NsoWioDxMcIZ85Csqv7KyKyCjGxPrQz9xzEyU6UKllcY/w300-h400/DM%20BONG.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a quick look at the stage set-up, where Christian was doing some last-minute drum checks. The ‘hospitality’ room followed, with various DM items (see photos above and below) on show. I ate with some lovely fans from San Diego who, like many in these parts, fell for the band after hearing <i>Policy of Truth</i> – which explains the rapturous reception this track gets. We also got a goodie bag that I’ll reveal the contents of later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrvDAM1jDv1zjOCCbyIWfXFpeSVTWMNxLX6WAqzF6vfPgDcFH0jADM7dNTsDaTI1FK3P7ELp6WtPDWw9KEAOJfrsbzA6iKLyJ5VPlpfxr9BhuF9TkYL4V2ooNq6vw5tRpj38nDOF12xLEzVISIj7xiA5AA1qlWLFpkr239CRvkbDQyPg8T8yfOKd3SaU/s4032/DM%20BAs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrvDAM1jDv1zjOCCbyIWfXFpeSVTWMNxLX6WAqzF6vfPgDcFH0jADM7dNTsDaTI1FK3P7ELp6WtPDWw9KEAOJfrsbzA6iKLyJ5VPlpfxr9BhuF9TkYL4V2ooNq6vw5tRpj38nDOF12xLEzVISIj7xiA5AA1qlWLFpkr239CRvkbDQyPg8T8yfOKd3SaU/w300-h400/DM%20BAs.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was front row, which was incredible. After the <i>My Comsos Is Mine</i> and <i>Wagging Tongue</i> opening silos, which start strongly enough, the show really kicked into gear with <i>Walking In My Shoes,</i> with the electronic outro a personal highlight that reminds me of the 1000s of times I played it on the ‘Touring The Angel’ DVD, never daring to believe I would see it live.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I adore <i>Memento Mori</i> and so <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> is, for me, a crunching, glorious highlight, even better live than <i>Ghosts Again</i> (I think the guitar part began slightly late here), while we were treated to Martin singing one of his classics, <i>Shake The Disease</i>. I’ve always loved the remixes of <i>In Your Room</i> and <i>A Pain That I’m Used To</i> which inspire the live versions on this tour, and they came across well here. Jez said his favourite moment of the show is <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i>, with the audience interaction, and he would have enjoyed the response in San Diego.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPBirOTtHYsG5aA_Nr2_Lk4t6qp8-QhjpziZ55Y0gWogLrVk-OR0YX4OtGrycVD3ZO4h5w0mXHafJYos-nkyGSNY8u24SwqmX5EBntaSAdIEWaEm0B8-6wSaN6LA_olRLoOdM9Y1bibU78rRb9WFUdmUHYSYZyXk1U_Dhghz1VmmRsEqFyAGQN88EPIg/s4032/DAVE%20MARTIN.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPBirOTtHYsG5aA_Nr2_Lk4t6qp8-QhjpziZ55Y0gWogLrVk-OR0YX4OtGrycVD3ZO4h5w0mXHafJYos-nkyGSNY8u24SwqmX5EBntaSAdIEWaEm0B8-6wSaN6LA_olRLoOdM9Y1bibU78rRb9WFUdmUHYSYZyXk1U_Dhghz1VmmRsEqFyAGQN88EPIg/w400-h300/DAVE%20MARTIN.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Picking up a copy of the setlist at the end capped off surely one of the greatest nights of my life. The fan who had Dave sing her Happy Birthday for her 50th may have been the only one who could have eclipsed it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Los Angeles, Kia Forum, 12 December: Depeche Mode Day</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The City of Angels declaring a DM Day didn’t feel tokenistic, especially for us Devotees lucky enough to be there. It felt like an early Christmas present we were, as a City, Nation and Global Fan Community, delivering to Dave and Martin. How we wish Fletch could have seen this, he would surely have loved it, and I thought the lads were genuinely humbled by it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VB3jqbvfjbKmpg46UorhfI0VpMhuiDtIJoshVQga2BWkaDubdfBxwSC8PHBN35y-0vbPqZb8MncLcocC3UWs0B9Oz5AgrMrXK-qoajNiejT9k8SsVcEs_odECAMBf2MGDCItWeAWQnoHMopUlrJGCGAhpP9UN2QI4pmQoq11GE2qy9gE16d6USxDrmA/s4032/TIM%20OZ%20SIGN.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VB3jqbvfjbKmpg46UorhfI0VpMhuiDtIJoshVQga2BWkaDubdfBxwSC8PHBN35y-0vbPqZb8MncLcocC3UWs0B9Oz5AgrMrXK-qoajNiejT9k8SsVcEs_odECAMBf2MGDCItWeAWQnoHMopUlrJGCGAhpP9UN2QI4pmQoq11GE2qy9gE16d6USxDrmA/w400-h300/TIM%20OZ%20SIGN.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arriving two hours early and the front two steps already taken, I waited with my “Love from Australia” sign, met fans from around the US and discussed how we came to be there. <i>Singles 81-85</i> played over the loudspeakers, then <i>Exciter</i> and <i>Memento Mori</i> as we soaked up the sunshine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ceremony was brief and mainly blocked by TV cameras, and the band didn’t stay to sign autographs as we had hoped, but never mind. We had come to applaud and recognise, and left in high spirits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The previous night’s show had laid the platform, with the inclusion of <i>Dressed In Black</i> to the setlist, and a particularly jaunty rendition of <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i>. <i>Personal Jesus </i>rocked, <i>Condemnation</i> was beautiful, and both had country twangs that lured us in. I had followed setlists online leading into my trip, but avoided YouTube clips, so these were excellent surprises. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXwUEJtRSg6LnAi551D9xjFwQXSuXTRr1USfHxgdCG2I9XHOvl6tTBZez_mrGFTa-Zop8erzDI2b24bFdteZPNUx0RalHLOTM_LawhgluCnOBvD7wr8PJ0G8nhAYFd5rSyKj3S_HOMGWQ2AosA826R9QOzfLG7hRzd3RrkWVzOjBdkctNIRTtgP-aIpU/s4032/MANY%20MARTIN.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXwUEJtRSg6LnAi551D9xjFwQXSuXTRr1USfHxgdCG2I9XHOvl6tTBZez_mrGFTa-Zop8erzDI2b24bFdteZPNUx0RalHLOTM_LawhgluCnOBvD7wr8PJ0G8nhAYFd5rSyKj3S_HOMGWQ2AosA826R9QOzfLG7hRzd3RrkWVzOjBdkctNIRTtgP-aIpU/w400-h300/MANY%20MARTIN.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And with respect to San Diego, there was a special, louder magic to these two shows. I was 10 rows back at the Forum and in the upper tier in the final performance, so had a better view of the stage. I am deeply moved by many of Anton’s visuals, and thought the backdrops to tracks like <i>Everything Counts</i> and <i>I Feel You</i> hit the mark this time. The donkeys in <i>It’s No Good</i>, less so (and I felt the same about the rabbits in <i>Enjoy the Silence </i>last tour, so maybe it’s an animals bias), but the creativity is what keeps it so vital and engaging year after year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena, 15 December: Everything Counts</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The grabbing hands grab all they can and all that, and as any fan knows a night at a show is expensive, especially if like me you appreciate a souvenir or two.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The top tier package included in my VIP ticket had a gorgeous signed poster (only my second signed item after a signed CD single of Enjoy the Silence 04, also autographed by Linkin Park, won via the DM Facebook page), a candle, eye mask, pack of cards and toiletry-style bag. The last three of these were especially handy on the 15-hour flight home.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXjUKdfDhegLYLm1dg1NpV2a2R-3txEouXc7rUSO8q22iKTOk8opGsPSfhLNhQD4CCZQQdOtYuzmoMhbElFNfEgtYucLThCyYIg03LdI-HG_L_fjwLUYI3awW9vKPO2TpU_iBZseSr0VOH3Rdx0JI0amwp6p25RPoxtQ34wnA_r9RsYur_rwiD37hj-E/s4030/TIM%20VIP.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="4030" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXjUKdfDhegLYLm1dg1NpV2a2R-3txEouXc7rUSO8q22iKTOk8opGsPSfhLNhQD4CCZQQdOtYuzmoMhbElFNfEgtYucLThCyYIg03LdI-HG_L_fjwLUYI3awW9vKPO2TpU_iBZseSr0VOH3Rdx0JI0amwp6p25RPoxtQ34wnA_r9RsYur_rwiD37hj-E/w400-h300/TIM%20VIP.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the merch stands, I managed to bag an LA-exclusive T-shirt and a couple of other items including the skull tote bag, which for those going to the European leg, sold out quickly, so you may want to get there early if (like me) you want this item to show off your love of DM while purchasing groceries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Grabbing hands also grab phones, a lot, and this concert featured a well-publicised kerfuffle that required Dave to stop singing <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> to sort out a situation involving fans, security and a mobile phone. At the time, everyone just hoped nobody was hurt. Dave was all class in how he dealt with it, and in the end we got a bonus NLMDA riff following the drama, so all good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhJWZMWXyhpwzbsDbidXxatfGkvsZT02IEsoCORl47Xe3_cKcIYTxYQBGiv98ZmZb8hmmwhwKIXUtUSIfZEJTqnpFoj3b4hb5IcbApNyGOy4cGTtyuXghge35sSMm3m-B9lr-huHXRbNxuaJpKMckf9KRM3o8EcRBTsWeOzWFw7Nj3weifbrxCCF1r20/s4032/LA%20gig%20pic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhJWZMWXyhpwzbsDbidXxatfGkvsZT02IEsoCORl47Xe3_cKcIYTxYQBGiv98ZmZb8hmmwhwKIXUtUSIfZEJTqnpFoj3b4hb5IcbApNyGOy4cGTtyuXghge35sSMm3m-B9lr-huHXRbNxuaJpKMckf9KRM3o8EcRBTsWeOzWFw7Nj3weifbrxCCF1r20/w400-h300/LA%20gig%20pic.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, a word on what was a highlight of this trinity of concerts: <i>Heaven</i>. Delivered by Martin live for the first time, it was a spiritual experience for me that brought back memories, fears, hopes and reflections on how far I had come in life and in unity with Depeche. As it ended, I turned to my eight-year old daughter, who joined me for her first ever concert, telling her and the strangers in my row just how incredible that moment was to witness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Precious and fragile things need special handling, but we all reached the shores of Australia safely, and I’ll always be thankful to the band and my soul sisters and soul brothers in the US for shows I will always remember. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Aussie_DM">@Aussie_DM</a> and for more, listen to my thoughts on ABC Australia’s special on DM here: <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/depeche-mode-synth-band-uk-electronic-dave-gahan-martin-gore/102346046">https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/depeche-mode-synth-band-uk-electronic-dave-gahan-martin-gore/102346046</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks very much Tim.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-21564777331291181682023-12-10T12:28:00.002+00:002023-12-10T13:17:53.254+00:00STRANGE HIGHS - DEPECHE MODE: STRANGE AND STRANGE TOO DVD REISSUE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwZTj77P38XCn7NecCUK_Suf8bpdDgZkZkdGCuL36-RzcGnzj5h8WLWlWTgP5reBxLeeudsXTx3-yDLPb4ITpvpEU0yF26jTv62WHBhWyKMHmel1V0a2yZ8CzeHLa-iDWGfO1wCoKl0Ua9OBE7bQ9kHy_qXPpzQOxhw4I8NoKay3fG2uafjNrmwnWnZA/s4032/IMG_3068.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwZTj77P38XCn7NecCUK_Suf8bpdDgZkZkdGCuL36-RzcGnzj5h8WLWlWTgP5reBxLeeudsXTx3-yDLPb4ITpvpEU0yF26jTv62WHBhWyKMHmel1V0a2yZ8CzeHLa-iDWGfO1wCoKl0Ua9OBE7bQ9kHy_qXPpzQOxhw4I8NoKay3fG2uafjNrmwnWnZA/w300-h400/IMG_3068.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For those of us who still remember the video age, DVD versions of <i>Strange</i> and <i>Strange Too</i>, Depeche Mode's classic video compilations have long been in demand. The original versions, the first released in 1988 and the second in 1990, captured the band at their artistic highpoint. <i>Strange</i> compiled their first videos with Anton Corbijn from <i>A Question Of Time </i>to<i>, </i>curiously but brilliantly, <i>Pimpf</i> and <i>Strange Too </i>featured the six videos made for songs from <i>Violator </i>namely the four singles, <i>Halo</i> and <i>Clean.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, both are reissued on DVD in the one package just in time for Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP2W_mOtQh9psJoYZsJ8tT2oX94yttXVq5cDArVWsPES9pinlBr9nDB7awg_UuwhHyXi7mFD-b-iGQNOMsv8lyGbxNLa70KLfRBzNCTc_i5LBufBvLpTkodkNYPB7RlMLb5Cm3mL8pVYnjgPsaVewSp_f7iXJm_PqHoZZo1aFP-BeX9ioVYzwmdqsMIA/s4032/IMG_3066.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP2W_mOtQh9psJoYZsJ8tT2oX94yttXVq5cDArVWsPES9pinlBr9nDB7awg_UuwhHyXi7mFD-b-iGQNOMsv8lyGbxNLa70KLfRBzNCTc_i5LBufBvLpTkodkNYPB7RlMLb5Cm3mL8pVYnjgPsaVewSp_f7iXJm_PqHoZZo1aFP-BeX9ioVYzwmdqsMIA/w300-h400/IMG_3066.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The package is sealed in cellophane when it arrives and once opened you find one of these increasingly prevalent Japanese OBI style things wrapped around the DVD case. It's pictured at the top of the article. Once removed and set aside to inevitably be lost any day now, the cover above reveals itself. Just look at how cool they look there. This is only five years after <i>The Meaning Of Love</i> for goodness' sake. I won't start bleating on again about how they accomplished so much in such a short space of time but <i>Strange</i> really does speak to the rapid progression of Depeche Mode both musically and artistically. Anton's involvement was crucial to this artistic reinvention and the air of European cool he added to the very European sounding <i>Music For The Masses </i>songs fitted perfectly. At this point, Depeche were a band who had no idea they were about to become stadium gobbling megastars. The two films on this DVD catch them on either side of that precipice and, when watched together (as I have done several times already), the staggering leap they made from 1987 to 1990 is readily apparent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've reviewed every Depeche Mode single in worrying depth previously, so rather than go through the videos again, here is a link to each review where the videos are all discussed:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/02/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_19.html">A Question Of Time</a></i>: man steals baby, delivers it to Alan, Martin gets his hair pulled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/03/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html">Strangelove</a></i> : world record for most leather in a video ever, Alan gets his horn out, the band laugh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/03/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_10.html">Never Let Me Down Again</a> </i>: Band holiday in Denmark, Martin's Accordion, Dave's two yellow cards</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/03/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_18.html">Behind The Wheel</a></i> : Depeche Mode's Wandering Minstrels, Dave's moustache, the number 69</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4hooh1Zsz4AXAtxWlT5RiPpR3-i4L3RqBQ0wE9B0MMpyw6j64y60pF3vE1FYPIPQ3zAsJn5XN4Gwm92r3Hi-foRQz_0xYSJmeZcJ2TiXfvHIsy6bwDXq3_lYg1wBlTdAOJJ7NI-JylFFpnnJrWOygE5lUM8c66Wna-diZgaThqkS8IgXlV1F8qoak7Q/s4030/IMG_3070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="4030" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4hooh1Zsz4AXAtxWlT5RiPpR3-i4L3RqBQ0wE9B0MMpyw6j64y60pF3vE1FYPIPQ3zAsJn5XN4Gwm92r3Hi-foRQz_0xYSJmeZcJ2TiXfvHIsy6bwDXq3_lYg1wBlTdAOJJ7NI-JylFFpnnJrWOygE5lUM8c66Wna-diZgaThqkS8IgXlV1F8qoak7Q/w400-h129/IMG_3070.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The version of <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> on <i>Strange</i> is the <i>Split Mix</i> version of the track so the video is longer than the single version. Unlike the remix itself which is nothing less than a Godlike act of genius, the extended video doesn't add much really. There's some animated boot action and some dancing but that's that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Pimpf</i> features despite not being a single. The video is great is however. Martin sits, half naked naturally, in the Depeche Mode Museo pictured on the DVD cover playing along to <i>Pimpf</i> on a piano while the rest of the band wander around angrily trying to find him. The three of them pause and start singing along to the OHHH EEEE bit looking like three distressed leather penguins indulging in a terrifying mating call. The discover Martin's Museo when a direction sign saying PIMPF is found, a sign that Dave very weakly kicks over. Andy, Alan and Dave then descend on the Museo either very limply hitting it (Dave and Alan) or headbutting it (Fletch naturally) all while OHHing and EEEing. The combined force of the three leather penguins sees the Museo explode and collapse. OH MY GOD THEY HAVE KILLED MARTIN! Wait...what's that? It's a fully clothed Martin. He's alive and he's rescued the <i>Music For The Masses </i>horn. Thank goodness for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Between the songs, we get the same odd videos that featured on the original release featuring Rebecca Thornton (from <i>Strangelove)</i>, Valdemar Christensen (<i>Never Let Me Down Again</i>) and Ippolita Santarelli (<i>Behind The Wheel</i>) all of whom have a lot of quite nasty things to say about Dave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are some extras on the DVD in the shape of Outtake Vignettes. The <i>Strange</i> three show some previously unseen footage from <i>Strangelove</i> and <i>Behind The Wheel</i>, the latter in two parts, the second of which is soundtracked by the Shep Pettibone Mix of the song. It's really lovely to see these vignettes as any unseen Depeche footage is always a treat, especially these days when the internet seems to have everything you could want or not want. Look out for Dave really getting into his eyebrow raising, Terry Thomas role in the <i>Behind The Wheel</i> section.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The DVD package comes with a two sided fold-out leaflet with pictures on it as you can see above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, <i>Little 15</i> doesn't feature on here, no doubt because it wasn't an Anton video and also because it's very bad compared to the great videos here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTSlXcAK8324eycGQJ17kmCM_a3C2O0Mj3POuDcctkkKr_uRJYtkWvsDEcR6LK816aLgn2Tusqf9ObZvO5lMp2tEtog8wlIRXmc6eajzZcV2tpPBWwO9oLNDK3_gFoNGGSArjwL99_xucetyb3lJgEdHXnjIyOpyQxV_WtszQteqCNEkiknVVbihZBq8/s4032/IMG_3067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTSlXcAK8324eycGQJ17kmCM_a3C2O0Mj3POuDcctkkKr_uRJYtkWvsDEcR6LK816aLgn2Tusqf9ObZvO5lMp2tEtog8wlIRXmc6eajzZcV2tpPBWwO9oLNDK3_gFoNGGSArjwL99_xucetyb3lJgEdHXnjIyOpyQxV_WtszQteqCNEkiknVVbihZBq8/w300-h400/IMG_3067.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As regular readers of this blog know, along with Kevin May, I have written a book about <i>Violator</i> called Halo which, as well is being available via all good online retailers, is also the ideal Christmas present for any Depeche Mode fan. In addition to that, I own more copies of <i>Violator </i>than could be called healthy and I have bored many people for many years, talking about <i>Violator</i> and the fact it is the greatest work of art ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It won't surprise you to learn then that <i>Strange Too </i>is something I am very much a huge fan of. Everything the band did in 1990 was perfect and that includes the videos. I have of course droned on about the videos in earlier blogs so here are the four reviews if you really want to read them:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/04/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html">Personal Jesus</a></i> : Cowboy Mode, Fletch's toy horse</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/04/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_13.html">Enjoy The Silence</a></i> : Dave eats his fellow band members and heads for the North of Scotland</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/04/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_23.html">Policy Of Truth</a> </i>: Depeche Mode mocked by two women</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/04/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_29.html">World In My Eyes</a></i> : Dave takes a date to the movies, specifically a movie that features him and his mates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In addition to the four singles, <i>Strange Too</i> also features videos for <i>Halo </i>and <i>Clean. </i>When writing Halo, the book not the song, Kevin and I spoke to Pam Heffler (<i>Halo</i>) and Angela Sheldon (<i>Clean</i>) about their roles in the videos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of <i>Halo</i> which features the band dressed as clowns, Dave pretending to be strong, a donkey and much more, Pam said:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"<i>I auditioned for the video and I suppose it was not long before we shot it. I was dancing with a choreographer named Sarah Elgart in her dance company at the time and she recommended me to the director since she was choreographing the video. I probably didn't know much about Depeche Mode.. just their name! I believe we only shot for 1 day and 1 evening ( it could have been two but I don't remember exactly) and as I recall, don't believe much was discussed about the concept of the video just how we would participate. We did hang out with the band and I remember everyone being super cool. I am actually surprised by the video. I didn't know it was going to be so unusual. What we did was super goofy and pretty straight forward and the video is rather eclectic, creative and unusual in a great way!</i>"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Clean</i> is very much a Martin solo video and he spends most of it getting off with Angela Sheldon while World Violation video footage plays ominously on the wall of the flat he's in. Here's the Q&A with Angela that formed the basis of her section in Halo:</div><br /><b>1. Were you a Depeche Mode fan before you starred in the Clean video? If so, how long had you been a fan?</b><br /><i>I was most definitely a fan of DM before I got to be in the Clean video. I had been a fan since People are People and I was a huge Black Celebration fan. </i><br /><br /><b>2. How did you get the role in the Clean video?</b><br /><i>I went to a massive casting call full of models. I was sitting on the floor reading a book (I think Henry Miller) and the casting director thought I stood out more than the others due to that fact and spent more time with me. </i><br /><br /><b>3. The video is very simple - was there much of a production set-up required?</b><br /><i>We shot at the house in the hills for the pool and then shot on a sound stage for the sofa scene. There was more production of that required because of the video playing in the background.</i><br /><br /><b>4. Did you realise at the time that the location was actually the rented apartment belonging to the production team (Anton and Richard Bell) as they were in LA doing other work for the band?</b><br /><i>I knew they were staying there but I didn't know it was their rented apartment. </i><br /><br /><b>5. How long did the shoot take?</b><br /><i>I think it was two days. </i><br /><br /><b>6. Was Martin the only band member present?</b><br /><i>Yes, Martin was the only band member present. He was not there during the pool scene but obviously there on the sofa. </i><br /><br /><b>7. What was your reaction when you were told about what the video would entail?</b><i> </i><br /><i>I was thrilled. I was actually dating an extremely jealous guy who flipped out when I told him, so I broke up with him to do the video. </i><br /><br /><b>8. Was it fun getting to make out with Martin for the video?</b><br /><i>I was a huge fan of Martin Gore and was more than happy to make out with him, but we did the "Hollywood" version where you don't actually touch tongues. Believe me, I tried. He was very professional and kind. </i><br /><br /><b>9. It's a fairly intense video, in terms of what it is portraying, so how did it seem between yourself, Martin and the crew when the camera wasn't rolling? </b><br /><i>Anton was wonderful and everyone was very professional and kind. It was not like the horror stories you hear. In fact, I was the one who was lamenting the fact we weren't actually making out. (I love Martin Gore) </i><br /><br /><b>10. Did you see the World Violation Tour at all? If so, what did you think?</b><br /><i>I was invited to see the tour after we filmed the video and got VIP backstage passes. It was fantastic. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvCeOr7q8U3HKwrztwjDomjlJrEbEVSBdRYKvy56N9Nfw1sqSFI66O0shEo7ypUGM0eeeIClT7Xi_bqJ49Ec1rLa54GKzc9T01aFkt8EbfMnyzRK44lble5VgW9CHkifGp1tA5GrEBeGmu9Ke1OvL3RjvOpWEw1rFSge3W_NwbvHkcDtUxd5eUm0gTTs/s4004/IMG_3071.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="4004" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvCeOr7q8U3HKwrztwjDomjlJrEbEVSBdRYKvy56N9Nfw1sqSFI66O0shEo7ypUGM0eeeIClT7Xi_bqJ49Ec1rLa54GKzc9T01aFkt8EbfMnyzRK44lble5VgW9CHkifGp1tA5GrEBeGmu9Ke1OvL3RjvOpWEw1rFSge3W_NwbvHkcDtUxd5eUm0gTTs/w400-h129/IMG_3071.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As with <i>Strange</i>, the between song films featuring Dave and a toy car, the band going to the drive-in etc are all there. The reverse side of the leaflet (above) features pictures from the era.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are additional Outtake Vignettes with <i>Strange Too </i>which are a joy. The <i>Personal Jesus </i>section soundtracked by <i>Personal Jesus (Acoustic)</i> shows outtakes from the video where all four band members are having a lot of fun which is cool. That is followed by two <i>Policy Of Truth </i>outtakes. The first is exceptionally moving as it is entirely comprised of shots of Fletch not used in the video. It is of course really hard not to think of Andy when Depeche Mode comes up. This short film is a lovely tribute to the great man. The final outtake shows Dave driving around New York soundtracked by <i>Policy Of Truth (Trancentral Mix).</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qarqx72PGToCjvPX67Z2E_OebVKHW73fpcvNAUt3sWcJhcP408V2AVq1HqmGDedndWSNyCHjD5b-BTv2XvtI0XtmhszJ_qycj0grXRH6gIV-72Sa60usPWhF0afQ9Wfmd4Zci4VOJprYNrbOfwEAmSUQvo65AD4UzyFcS7lsxCg-zI9z59-olR1YbwM/s3024/IMG_3069.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2329" data-original-width="3024" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qarqx72PGToCjvPX67Z2E_OebVKHW73fpcvNAUt3sWcJhcP408V2AVq1HqmGDedndWSNyCHjD5b-BTv2XvtI0XtmhszJ_qycj0grXRH6gIV-72Sa60usPWhF0afQ9Wfmd4Zci4VOJprYNrbOfwEAmSUQvo65AD4UzyFcS7lsxCg-zI9z59-olR1YbwM/w400-h308/IMG_3069.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ultimately, this DVD is a wonderful release. It shows Depeche Mode at their creative highpoint and adds a few extra touches to make the whole package one every Depeche fan will want to have. Now all we need is a reissue of <i>Live In Hamburg</i> and we can finally thrown away our VCRs.</div><br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-76662934100512806972023-10-11T20:49:00.001+01:002023-10-12T14:38:00.504+01:00SHOULD BE BETTER - DELTA MACHINE: THE 12" SINGLES<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4RUmDLhz5oZARHFfITgW4lZdeA2pIzSHkChzoKAd9udKfxyC8EI7xUqxOF8EeVqqps5np_DOWKyJ4YCLpBGS2JLxXyOtmYgEouWrZ5uOuCpGFbctkwwdz1HtLh2ADmXlqkPaxT5tvxR4HTA9kqBoOCJI_2bOJdCqMig0oQ5jTNUt_Xzumo2XWB3t40o/s4032/IMG_2670.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4RUmDLhz5oZARHFfITgW4lZdeA2pIzSHkChzoKAd9udKfxyC8EI7xUqxOF8EeVqqps5np_DOWKyJ4YCLpBGS2JLxXyOtmYgEouWrZ5uOuCpGFbctkwwdz1HtLh2ADmXlqkPaxT5tvxR4HTA9kqBoOCJI_2bOJdCqMig0oQ5jTNUt_Xzumo2XWB3t40o/w300-h400/IMG_2670.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><i>A record shop, October 2023. Two inevitably tattooed, vaping TikTok watchers pick up a box of records from a band the music press now tells them they should like. Suddenly, a man approaches, dressed almost entirely in black muttering about things being better when everything including him was younger.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Watch out - here he comes."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Oh for fuc....hello there Old Depeche Mode fan."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Ah...is that a new Depeche Mode 12" boxset under your arm youngster? Depeche Mode 12" singles eh? I remember when the band actually remixed everything themselves, pressed the records, stamped EVERY sleeve individually and...."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"We know, we know, Old Depeche Mode fan. We've read the tedious blogs you people enjoy. It was all better when TV only had four channels, Dave wore sandals and Alan was in the band. WE KNOW."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"You may laugh young one, but at least then we had the BONGS. You modern collectors have no idea. It's all 88883758332 generic worldwide catalogue nonsense. Back when things were proper, we had a BONG, an LBONG and much more. You lot have no id...."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"FOR GOD'S SAKE SHUT UP. The BONGS are back old man, the BONGS are back."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><b>*Old Depeche Mode man examines boxset*</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Oh my word...*wipes tear away*...it's true. The BONGS are back. We thought they'd been finished off with Personal Jesus 2011 but they're alive. Ok, from a collector's point of view it's infuriating madness. We've only just got over the "new" 12" thing which knocks our shelves out of whack in a mad way but this is different. It's a BONG. A NEW BONG"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"See Old Depeche Mode man? New things are ok. Modern takes on Depeche Mode can be a good thing."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"I see that now young one. Tell me, are the singles and remixes on this boxset throwbacks too? Are we back to the era of band produced extended versions? Please say it is so."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Ah. Well.....sod that. LOOK AT THE BONGS. AND THERE'S A BLOODY STENCIL TOO!"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7LKtCqngoz6eMuPkvO14YGBqF4bMZ-flXzkvsiYR7UyJ9YxsbaTzprDSMed1djNEThBx1YY8m6BQAquhqLocgfwRTFPTWwzjtNFgXzd_8o2IevJ8Se59sBpgbzVvS2V3tlcqjI8xQwh-dtXl1aScHwbd8O_QOx_YJBbmi8D9VaXNmdGnFN_TXdfWUPs/s4032/IMG_2671.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7LKtCqngoz6eMuPkvO14YGBqF4bMZ-flXzkvsiYR7UyJ9YxsbaTzprDSMed1djNEThBx1YY8m6BQAquhqLocgfwRTFPTWwzjtNFgXzd_8o2IevJ8Se59sBpgbzVvS2V3tlcqjI8xQwh-dtXl1aScHwbd8O_QOx_YJBbmi8D9VaXNmdGnFN_TXdfWUPs/w300-h400/IMG_2671.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new Depeche Mode boxset its out! This time, <i>Delta Machine</i> gets the 12" single treatment. There were originally only three 12" singles supporting this album, one for each single release, and frankly that was enough. As has been the case during this superb re-release series however, new 12" singles have appeared to ensure we have vinyl versions of sub-standard previously CD only remixes and this boxset is no exception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As ever, before I begin to show you pictures, I must stress that the boxset is a lovely thing. The attention to detail that has been shown to the artwork and sound is wonderful and that can only be applauded. The free gift is odd but brilliant too, however we will come on to that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first single from <i>Delta Machine </i>was <i>Heaven. </i>As I subtly alluded to in the hilarious intro, the BONG numbers have returned for this boxset and that is a lovely thing. Ok, it's slightly rewriting history but, let's face it, we all moaned when they were removed, so we really should just shut up. When <i>Heaven</i> was released, it had a 12" with the catalogue number 88765 49171 1. It now has a BONG.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The front of 12BONG44 looks like this:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfWLMEtOYG8HlJqScbKl4qo1Auf08zZc-4cB0-iRbN5mhtUOVgwDDisGi1gcacRAsAKKNNj-e9tjMzcgS6vNmxfzQ3PZsO9H47Gef8RSCZvj3pZIqmESDuul7dCa4k_AdO4YVfEztBVptceZuGFUlWtQxVVnrMyZlopDdsJbb5QVFPbBDAQyGz-SicQM/s4032/IMG_2674.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfWLMEtOYG8HlJqScbKl4qo1Auf08zZc-4cB0-iRbN5mhtUOVgwDDisGi1gcacRAsAKKNNj-e9tjMzcgS6vNmxfzQ3PZsO9H47Gef8RSCZvj3pZIqmESDuul7dCa4k_AdO4YVfEztBVptceZuGFUlWtQxVVnrMyZlopDdsJbb5QVFPbBDAQyGz-SicQM/w300-h400/IMG_2674.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Just the same as the 2013 12" really. Here's the back:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-44X67XP0C8jF61XFMErhyphenhyphenclNiVdrrxWUe0yQn1Nv4PsUbVqgraVPcgkN-wrX2H8ix6Vt2IovsY7Yt7Wwf8ttJjOgW5a8SWiQLvjU6gjb_ZSeDaQgLnJM5mEQqy5m9oOEm7wM317UgmzY8gNp54DgRvrmPrR1LVgnLc2VwoCx4Yku_DLFhnOIsGr-o/s4032/IMG_2675.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-44X67XP0C8jF61XFMErhyphenhyphenclNiVdrrxWUe0yQn1Nv4PsUbVqgraVPcgkN-wrX2H8ix6Vt2IovsY7Yt7Wwf8ttJjOgW5a8SWiQLvjU6gjb_ZSeDaQgLnJM5mEQqy5m9oOEm7wM317UgmzY8gNp54DgRvrmPrR1LVgnLc2VwoCx4Yku_DLFhnOIsGr-o/w300-h400/IMG_2675.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It contains the same four remixes as the original 12". Hmmm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The first new 12" in the box is L12BONG44. Here it is:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcSk6jphD4xE3Ir6Fx-SwUsxusxS7pG-XuCortiHUy7IkDiL3uecgLBBHLHPBTjDx6GG9iYg5datKZDpgBT0CR-N0O5CJf05iggPDQ2KoUBJ6o7U6HHCN8_vtFn-khdyVaThCoBIvbrDu01gfD4jH1hMNlQf1jHJWXPE_Xq5HsrN0mXTA-76tigGjiwQ/s4032/IMG_2676.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcSk6jphD4xE3Ir6Fx-SwUsxusxS7pG-XuCortiHUy7IkDiL3uecgLBBHLHPBTjDx6GG9iYg5datKZDpgBT0CR-N0O5CJf05iggPDQ2KoUBJ6o7U6HHCN8_vtFn-khdyVaThCoBIvbrDu01gfD4jH1hMNlQf1jHJWXPE_Xq5HsrN0mXTA-76tigGjiwQ/w300-h400/IMG_2676.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On Side A, we have two remixes of <i>Heaven: Blawan Remix </i>and<i> Steps To Heaven Rmx.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2F-F2KpCejwl7YtuSeJFEZE239k7ue7L8G0E_AWNM3HcKZKPzeK5639noV0UukjcnfpW5QFGBObpMrn4a1GDz6nhNhBO6VOuxKZH3tYvX632OcPLaHNvLBgKD9LBjXBECsBJic2j3jR62LA5mbO2Y0_9MBk7deDEAu7haSnohPzjnYESQT0S7c8MdN8/s4032/IMG_2677.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2F-F2KpCejwl7YtuSeJFEZE239k7ue7L8G0E_AWNM3HcKZKPzeK5639noV0UukjcnfpW5QFGBObpMrn4a1GDz6nhNhBO6VOuxKZH3tYvX632OcPLaHNvLBgKD9LBjXBECsBJic2j3jR62LA5mbO2Y0_9MBk7deDEAu7haSnohPzjnYESQT0S7c8MdN8/w300-h400/IMG_2677.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On Side B, we have two more versions of <i>Heaven: Matthew Dear Vs. Audion Vocal Mix</i> and a <i>Live Studio Version.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I reviewed <i>Heaven </i>as part of my still VERY readable 2021 Project where I reviewed every Depeche single there had been to that point. With the exception of the <i>Live Studio Version</i>, I covered all the remixes there. Read about how generally terrible they are here: <a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_26.html" style="text-align: left;">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_26.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The new track here is the <i>Live Studio Version</i> and it's a nice treat. There are always thoughtful things added to these boxes and this is one of them. Compared to the remix horrorshow it sounds like the best thing Depeche Mode have ever done. Anyway, I sound like Old Depeche Mode man don't I?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The next <i>Delta Machine </i>single was the frankly laughable <i>Soothe My Soul. </i> There is a song that resolutely refuses to improve with age. Anyway, we had a 12" release with the memorable catalogue number 88883 73070 1. That has now become 12BONG45 and it looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSKy5freDwa0Vlw7dBtAGRqWLNTKNgadKkD1VK6CqJdDYjEJbubwoN6jo_IS1kLl-yCoAZ2DB8-s6P0kTsYXQC5OCaCu6MM1J-ouaT10uhxertMIK3kcVQNGEhk_VSeiNsFHD6fuIiGl_zptPrBXjGOOwzWqpe3cs2J6PYBMtJLaLAkh28FYBWO-ZXf8/s4032/IMG_2678.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSKy5freDwa0Vlw7dBtAGRqWLNTKNgadKkD1VK6CqJdDYjEJbubwoN6jo_IS1kLl-yCoAZ2DB8-s6P0kTsYXQC5OCaCu6MM1J-ouaT10uhxertMIK3kcVQNGEhk_VSeiNsFHD6fuIiGl_zptPrBXjGOOwzWqpe3cs2J6PYBMtJLaLAkh28FYBWO-ZXf8/w300-h400/IMG_2678.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anton really earned his money with that artwork. The flip side (ask your grandfather or Old Depeche Mode man) looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETd5K2L_IOgTrwUcC_3B2sJCwtaICz_XaMSIzo0zS_qssPDgKwVGLnEvLpVGM8UHKgWHN1hQmRQVTfsynyACTJTWTU42dpFydTw7KNQvAdaXNKWR05B9khzvxl4JcdpbPYjPvoQ7e-kntUdQL3Ub3M3wSg15MV-EOsUDBGZWQudH73yRgG92-RsItKwQ/s4032/IMG_2679.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETd5K2L_IOgTrwUcC_3B2sJCwtaICz_XaMSIzo0zS_qssPDgKwVGLnEvLpVGM8UHKgWHN1hQmRQVTfsynyACTJTWTU42dpFydTw7KNQvAdaXNKWR05B9khzvxl4JcdpbPYjPvoQ7e-kntUdQL3Ub3M3wSg15MV-EOsUDBGZWQudH73yRgG92-RsItKwQ/w300-h400/IMG_2679.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The record "blesses' us with the same four tracks as the original 12". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A new L12 appears next, L12BONG45. The front of it can be seen below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAKyd0gBTZQF0ge0lTmuAy5ayA70ykETHXYXGxjJ9YwIvqOVwdq7uQMQe81_XIknNQUH3C82sQLWApRTrNunyjfOY4N7j4FVBRk8FfT9-qgJGXkjuHetJmbirKwVvCZgjefn_7GYt-TY_k753mWreM4qp8kZVWaJMBrNd2EY71s9i1kxBVmnPPHp0gbA/s4032/IMG_2680.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAKyd0gBTZQF0ge0lTmuAy5ayA70ykETHXYXGxjJ9YwIvqOVwdq7uQMQe81_XIknNQUH3C82sQLWApRTrNunyjfOY4N7j4FVBRk8FfT9-qgJGXkjuHetJmbirKwVvCZgjefn_7GYt-TY_k753mWreM4qp8kZVWaJMBrNd2EY71s9i1kxBVmnPPHp0gbA/w300-h400/IMG_2680.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's a new design instead of being based on LCD. The title is to the right of the big house on here. On Side A we have three remixes of <i>Soothe My Soul: Tom Furse - The Horrors Remix, Billy F Gibbons and Joe Hardy Remix</i> and<i> Boris Delacroix Remix.</i> I've just listened to these again. May God help me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Here is the rear sleeve:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuUWS_sdI_hXchyWavh_xCcEWcoVQKTfJT4y_45oOpF7F9UPLCToezqJbp6TE6x7EmNN7lgtv0cEIdHfsrRfODroNy7tOPGlTZ3QtTZfKWu54NJiSFes-O-IZ5E0jKBO12-TaCmB-RpK23fZtXtlpmSUUiB8u9FW_mibA3cTphCVv1ag66rSJvrUdD5M/s4032/IMG_2681.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuUWS_sdI_hXchyWavh_xCcEWcoVQKTfJT4y_45oOpF7F9UPLCToezqJbp6TE6x7EmNN7lgtv0cEIdHfsrRfODroNy7tOPGlTZ3QtTZfKWu54NJiSFes-O-IZ5E0jKBO12-TaCmB-RpK23fZtXtlpmSUUiB8u9FW_mibA3cTphCVv1ag66rSJvrUdD5M/w300-h400/IMG_2681.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The three tracks here are: <i>Soothe My Soul (Black Asteroid Remix), Soothe My Soul (Gregor Tresher Soothed Remix) </i>and <i>Goodbye (Gesaffelstein Remix). </i>The latter track appeared on the original CD1 release in 2013. As with all Depeche Mode singles, in fact as with what feels like all Depeche Mode releases, I reviewed all these remixes so that you don't have to listen to them. Read all about it here: <a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/12/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html" style="text-align: left;">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/12/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The final <i>Delta Machine </i>single was <i>Should Be Higher.</i> The original 12" catalogue number 88883 75834 1 has been rebranded as 12BONG46. The front looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ShgDhN3fLvpZbsVBt4FzICU6MYyuP1Tj06fAdKYfvnHI5JtQy_Rhszu99zDua9KyzuYQdFnlLQm7eD4AmjxgkSRW3TR99ZqxQmCPFp0eMCfBwIcFEiAy5JCVtjiU4TWgfZlBao3Ttb4z2aR2jgmSHKwNQKXYTs-ATf78oAfGvSs_fmf9SCSmddzarB8/s4032/IMG_2682.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ShgDhN3fLvpZbsVBt4FzICU6MYyuP1Tj06fAdKYfvnHI5JtQy_Rhszu99zDua9KyzuYQdFnlLQm7eD4AmjxgkSRW3TR99ZqxQmCPFp0eMCfBwIcFEiAy5JCVtjiU4TWgfZlBao3Ttb4z2aR2jgmSHKwNQKXYTs-ATf78oAfGvSs_fmf9SCSmddzarB8/w300-h400/IMG_2682.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In my original review of the single, I boldly claimed that this was the worst set of remixes ever compiled on a Depeche Mode 12" but I stand corrected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1piF-YwvNqMuD-rY7S-HcreyiP90Nt63B5DLZHoIpEwaxdV9_EPWcclvt8PZF3WG9MdkRb4BZzzB9UCnurpeB55-VbtQQOE2xhcEqq_MP3hQPQSdxIBLRqR5rDKRENxkiMSlbJE3Xfn2Nbl4MAIhkcpFWyDU4O5BelEI9E_N3S3WRewyp98JvbYBtq0w/s4032/IMG_2684.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1piF-YwvNqMuD-rY7S-HcreyiP90Nt63B5DLZHoIpEwaxdV9_EPWcclvt8PZF3WG9MdkRb4BZzzB9UCnurpeB55-VbtQQOE2xhcEqq_MP3hQPQSdxIBLRqR5rDKRENxkiMSlbJE3Xfn2Nbl4MAIhkcpFWyDU4O5BelEI9E_N3S3WRewyp98JvbYBtq0w/w300-h400/IMG_2684.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Yes. the six tracks here are almost inexplicably awful, but the new L12BONG46 listens to that, says "hold my beer in a Delta Machine tour cup" and gives us one decent remix and a radio version that is passable only because of the sheer madness of the remaining three tracks. The new 12" front cover looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLuRMOE7ZgV2G9iI9mBtd912GnHLzt73dMDtpES1R7EKX7ivLs4nUf1MhGWpOegKgelUfZSUpqO7MWP32kItWlWD3nGtSm6xq7bOAyJQbZ81QFTUkx7RcMTC-P2lfnehAuNJOvtpKMddQARkaTaDkNHrBMtsecALXyAMnGb8Fyfp7iW81TcLYJo1_htU/s4032/IMG_2685.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLuRMOE7ZgV2G9iI9mBtd912GnHLzt73dMDtpES1R7EKX7ivLs4nUf1MhGWpOegKgelUfZSUpqO7MWP32kItWlWD3nGtSm6xq7bOAyJQbZ81QFTUkx7RcMTC-P2lfnehAuNJOvtpKMddQARkaTaDkNHrBMtsecALXyAMnGb8Fyfp7iW81TcLYJo1_htU/w300-h400/IMG_2685.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Side A contains two "remixes" of <i>Should Be Higher - Jim Sclavunos From Grinderman Remix</i> and <i> Little Vampire Remix.</i> Lordy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHoulaBp9kz3QovKuzirRyvUIPrrghS1y43s8xW8s_T1-x7KvRndXC4r0sMlKSfw1hxLalNRmuxgs6LdE11Y0rBqLUfxJlZpUyJ0mlTuf8yDmhWnhscVKt6tloD9-drrHmU2CAf7Le9FNblvepjGtaHQaO-jusNwMO9SbnECKRLavhDIOylveMad2UCU/s4032/IMG_2686.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHoulaBp9kz3QovKuzirRyvUIPrrghS1y43s8xW8s_T1-x7KvRndXC4r0sMlKSfw1hxLalNRmuxgs6LdE11Y0rBqLUfxJlZpUyJ0mlTuf8yDmhWnhscVKt6tloD9-drrHmU2CAf7Le9FNblvepjGtaHQaO-jusNwMO9SbnECKRLavhDIOylveMad2UCU/w300-h400/IMG_2686.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Side B: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Should Be Higher (MAPS Remix) </i> - a GOOD remix thank any Lord you want to thank</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Should Be Higher (Jim Jones Revue Remix) </i> - an actual pisstake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Should Be Higher (Radio Mix).</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I was rude about all these previously as you can see here: <a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/12/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_4.html" style="text-align: left;">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/12/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_4.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Mercifully, we move away from the musical content of these otherwise lovely records. Bizarrely but brilliantly, this boxset contains a personalised stencil:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMT4G0xKYiro0xEtj5nXV7-WpcEt3Lm4Gg639Db5Y7gld3jUQtYpSR_GBvdCUtAuERg3Ox4Z9oyYmQbAdXwB5ItEu3LC2O-4Rb0hztknNfcclBzg9sZ_5K1n1JsHtQ9Lm2ihwndfo0JNomRxtG2mgQtYSZ9HSgyDb2mMEd2hI4eEPEkjGEtyWsJ4y00k/s4032/IMG_2687.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMT4G0xKYiro0xEtj5nXV7-WpcEt3Lm4Gg639Db5Y7gld3jUQtYpSR_GBvdCUtAuERg3Ox4Z9oyYmQbAdXwB5ItEu3LC2O-4Rb0hztknNfcclBzg9sZ_5K1n1JsHtQ9Lm2ihwndfo0JNomRxtG2mgQtYSZ9HSgyDb2mMEd2hI4eEPEkjGEtyWsJ4y00k/w300-h400/IMG_2687.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now, last time, I praised the <i>Sounds Of The Universe</i> boxset for going so far as to personalise records labels for me, but an actual stencil! That is very generous. Many of you don't open your boxes but I am assured that if you do, your own initials will be there in stencil form for you to graffiti wherever you please.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Excuse me a second. My phone's ringing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>"Hello? Oh wow, hello Mute. And Sony too? This is tremendous. How are you both?.... What's that? Oh yes, I see. It was only really a laboured joke that I barely got away with last time so I'm sure no-one will...no?... Really? ....That seems harsh....Oh you're serious. I see. Thanks. Bye now."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The stencil represents the DM logo used for the <i>Delta Machine</i> era and his in fact not personalised in any way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Cool thing though isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The box also contains a reproduction poster. This one cruelly reminds us that <i>Soothe My Soul</i> appeared as a single:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzwd5Nz_o2OMBY2J8dQIuBqXrwiPhVIiFY5qKMGSPq8xY1zHD42gr6ksnv3AQOJFJCjkOuIHJl9roHmOAIonkWhrq5YxmeqJcN6LjGqNDJbWI6t5VS2VXUBJwn5B0mQxwHL2lkslmwzvp2KjyfrrpMDGaVrax8SEzM-liSz3ncWv9orPM1wXi-yZfEo/s4032/IMG_2689.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzwd5Nz_o2OMBY2J8dQIuBqXrwiPhVIiFY5qKMGSPq8xY1zHD42gr6ksnv3AQOJFJCjkOuIHJl9roHmOAIonkWhrq5YxmeqJcN6LjGqNDJbWI6t5VS2VXUBJwn5B0mQxwHL2lkslmwzvp2KjyfrrpMDGaVrax8SEzM-liSz3ncWv9orPM1wXi-yZfEo/w300-h400/IMG_2689.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, for anyone who still downloads things, there's a download card:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1ctWO0h0uSlhjPhsS8FngkMmWdny6tBjDgQpjJqKnwV9wsbvqTqt5FEeMlMLkFs3fnWpNx84mbb2RmWYaYCsCXzkFfEMYe6P1AjjViS77jT0ngnrwHxfoxa8Oy1XNSyqWWvStwD4iH2ix-s9GP6HVL7seXoASaveAXCc-RouO5N8DVyd2hff6RxI874/s4032/IMG_2691.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1ctWO0h0uSlhjPhsS8FngkMmWdny6tBjDgQpjJqKnwV9wsbvqTqt5FEeMlMLkFs3fnWpNx84mbb2RmWYaYCsCXzkFfEMYe6P1AjjViS77jT0ngnrwHxfoxa8Oy1XNSyqWWvStwD4iH2ix-s9GP6HVL7seXoASaveAXCc-RouO5N8DVyd2hff6RxI874/w300-h400/IMG_2691.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And there we have it. Welcome back BONG. There can surely only be a couple of boxsets left unless the previously missed 12" singles are compiled into one giant series ending box. That would of course be tremendous and would please all Depche fans, Old and New immensely. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">See you for the <i>Spirit </i>boxset.</div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-13722800413269560092023-10-03T20:28:00.002+01:002023-10-03T21:25:39.015+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, FORO SOL, MEXICO CITY, 23rd & 25th SEPTEMBER 2023<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m3h5Xdk_5WJuXcpXc0n2iXyUK8RVRfvShEEWDt_g6QtpjGeEY3doYwAihq-Bqae1pDCNgD-DrPPtWdiBBeCnT_manY6jMJdyCZKGxugfBWy76_5XelmdhoMleLZShRo_rGoa0e2nLMVZ0d4dugzSOUiVHzQBYpcBXjJRXm0edTkvAv8nZ1s8LCKzLug/s1080/DG%20MEX1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m3h5Xdk_5WJuXcpXc0n2iXyUK8RVRfvShEEWDt_g6QtpjGeEY3doYwAihq-Bqae1pDCNgD-DrPPtWdiBBeCnT_manY6jMJdyCZKGxugfBWy76_5XelmdhoMleLZShRo_rGoa0e2nLMVZ0d4dugzSOUiVHzQBYpcBXjJRXm0edTkvAv8nZ1s8LCKzLug/w400-h225/DG%20MEX1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>It's a two for one review for you this time. Natalia Burgos reviewed gigs for the blog last time the band toured and I was delighted when she volunteered to review again this time. Here is her wonderful review of the second and third nights of the band's recent three night run in Mexico City. If they tour again in the future, these gigs sound like ones to attend. Thanks very much Natalia. All pictures are hers unless otherwise credited.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB5kQoJIIdTTTxQIWamgPTWoo95fh4pZUK5MRyvlX_XWhHY2jhxrbO2Ox9UzpDf1dL7EHovNPC7wddCmOTD8EgRl0q70055bWP77YVA_V207H7x-wbk-G9nDs4U6XrE-N_9owMQkbFUKCu5fKcMcbe7EB6DOadDJE6Zsjxv7yMeM4TAE-Oe0uTQ7DKB8/s910/376715284_10161051924178739_2383691506170634129_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="910" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB5kQoJIIdTTTxQIWamgPTWoo95fh4pZUK5MRyvlX_XWhHY2jhxrbO2Ox9UzpDf1dL7EHovNPC7wddCmOTD8EgRl0q70055bWP77YVA_V207H7x-wbk-G9nDs4U6XrE-N_9owMQkbFUKCu5fKcMcbe7EB6DOadDJE6Zsjxv7yMeM4TAE-Oe0uTQ7DKB8/w400-h276/376715284_10161051924178739_2383691506170634129_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the Mexican dates were announce, I knew I had to make the effort to get there because going to the US or Europe is out of my league (as it is unfortunately for tons of devotees from Central and South America). These were the shows that kicked off the third leg of the Memento Mori tour so I thought it would be a treat to get to see Martin and Dave all refreshed, with new energy after some weeks of rest. The other reason is that Mexico City has a very special vibe for these massive events with a noisy and fun audience, making it a unique experience for any DM follower. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Due to personal and health issues, I did not have the chance to dedicate as much time as I would have wanted to listen and digest the <i>Memento Mori</i> album. Actually, the record got zero promotion in my home country, Colombia, so I got my hands on the CD version from a fellow who imports heavy metal records, a month before the Mexican concerts. I also avoided watching videos before going to the shows. I still like to conserve some of the surprise factor when I see DM live (yeah I am very old school).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, I landed in Mexico City without preparation of any kind, with tickets for September 23rd and 25th. My preparation was that I had no preparation! I am of course fully aware that DM is predictable most of the time when it comes to live presentations especially during the last tours, however, I was just happy to see them on stage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Foro Sol is a huge area that is used for concerts and for F1 races, so that gives us an idea of the size. It has an attendance of around 60,000 people per night. The environment around concerts here is like no other in the world. Once you get near this venue, outside of the Foro Sol, you can see loads of merch sellers (keep in mind that these are not official items) offering all kinds of things. You can purchase traditional items like T-shirts, hoodies, pins, keychains, caps, posters, tote bags, etc. but you can also find exotic stuff like knickers, socks, clocks, coffee cups and caps in pastel colors and tie-dye tones, glow in the dark caps and T-shirts with the DM logo, even denim jackets with tons of DM printed themes. You can definitely spend a couple of hours (and some money) giggling at the stuff that is for sale. Almost everyone buys something and most of the people I saw entering the venue had some DM related clothes on. This is paradise for any DM bootleg merchandise lover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjhmw3z5OeSe_ym5wu22MZHpf8yXrjMTr51U-GEzjQL4qWTZhonvZIG3K0T9TMsneHYcwpkahXHzwXdQPyXtYva2gN-qYFgB0maq2RdChE61ylSRwQkwLCtAvqw5NXWNkyW-u7dLdfCi-zrfrK2GbPgUYiZ-r6Fv-LdaXAxnI5Mpk40PwGrWUQGBVJt4/s958/Picture%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="958" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjhmw3z5OeSe_ym5wu22MZHpf8yXrjMTr51U-GEzjQL4qWTZhonvZIG3K0T9TMsneHYcwpkahXHzwXdQPyXtYva2gN-qYFgB0maq2RdChE61ylSRwQkwLCtAvqw5NXWNkyW-u7dLdfCi-zrfrK2GbPgUYiZ-r6Fv-LdaXAxnI5Mpk40PwGrWUQGBVJt4/w400-h198/Picture%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After taking a look at all the merch I entered the venue, passed the entry barriers (the security staff made me throw away a pen that I had in my waist bag, thank goodness I didn’t buy any at the stalls) and, after a 20 minute walk, I made it to the General B section (this area is right behind General A, that is the floor zone, near the stage). For the second concert, I was in General A towards the left side of the stage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first concert was on Thursday, I believe that because it was a work day, sop the arena took a bit more time to fill up. When Kelly Lee Owens started her performance the seated area was half empty, whereas for the second show on the 25th, people arrived earlier and the atmosphere was more feisty. There was also a projection with information about the filming of a documentary. In retrospect, I think that the stage is a bit small for this huge venue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9vTGdED5_1LyrsHwXw8Yt46QS7TuAH24vbuP7AnZF2y9_XzNKqxAcTPihFOf3ySNI4PZWuBC4rPhNGUE-MLpiZxrv_uuO-AgTYgv5N1K1bJ8T_c4EMhc823rG7pgo93alboEpdL-cK1I_l8HAG-ey_4yiQibS8QNmjc1k_DcBlPyngUnt6D49S6JrBI/s884/Picture%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="884" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9vTGdED5_1LyrsHwXw8Yt46QS7TuAH24vbuP7AnZF2y9_XzNKqxAcTPihFOf3ySNI4PZWuBC4rPhNGUE-MLpiZxrv_uuO-AgTYgv5N1K1bJ8T_c4EMhc823rG7pgo93alboEpdL-cK1I_l8HAG-ey_4yiQibS8QNmjc1k_DcBlPyngUnt6D49S6JrBI/w400-h300/Picture%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Mexican fan clubs had also prepared some fan action initiatives lsuch as holding up photos of Andy Fletcher during <i>World In My Eyes</i>, using skull/katrina masks during <i>Ghosts Again</i> and wearing white gloves during <i>Everything Counts.</i> You could certainly spot some people wearing the masks, but it was far from the majority of the crowd. Still, in the land of the Dia de Muertos, the masks looked pretty cool.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2bFYq_BvlXvnxDBIFjRAzEwKXL4_wf02XSn_Pc39Px4VXNso1798yaRrexhQ3NUzD9zqVUsva6TumLzWR2zl1N9yRBzQ20jNLGVpoRWrD_83JJK8DTMyHltWGL49U0sTM_FHimkOULbEMKhOdUHYwsWmcaOdaQXsKR-3pJRt8DzgAylGVkxKlZmA5jI/s728/Picture%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="588" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2bFYq_BvlXvnxDBIFjRAzEwKXL4_wf02XSn_Pc39Px4VXNso1798yaRrexhQ3NUzD9zqVUsva6TumLzWR2zl1N9yRBzQ20jNLGVpoRWrD_83JJK8DTMyHltWGL49U0sTM_FHimkOULbEMKhOdUHYwsWmcaOdaQXsKR-3pJRt8DzgAylGVkxKlZmA5jI/w323-h400/Picture%203.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kelly Lee Owens gave an atmospheric and vibrant 30 minute performance, starting around 8:30. I had the impression that the audience was more receptive to her show on Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, DM came on the stage at 9:30 (30 minutes after the announced time) with <i>My Cosmos Is Mine </i>and <i>Wagging Tongue</i>, but the audience kicked in properly when <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> started. Dave was looking impeccable in his suit, paired with a white silky shirt, giving off a modern-retro-vampire feel. The audience roared every time he yelled “Mexico City”!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VG-VjdcmffTUDzkuFuAAEa1ECEKolmS-IGrfvXZH7zqwa48bfrsepwsOpxi-XjtkxYUWAc98rGPcvpsmNOoqP_kUBHWznzIuOyYJ_ro7yiy4F9F1hTsggSl9O0qlxv1kJwvd0Bv4ctJDOQJLdx5BbOqy7KRH7A7Szkj_9u-qCh1nK7_2ktsXv1ggkLY/s884/Picture%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="884" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VG-VjdcmffTUDzkuFuAAEa1ECEKolmS-IGrfvXZH7zqwa48bfrsepwsOpxi-XjtkxYUWAc98rGPcvpsmNOoqP_kUBHWznzIuOyYJ_ro7yiy4F9F1hTsggSl9O0qlxv1kJwvd0Bv4ctJDOQJLdx5BbOqy7KRH7A7Szkj_9u-qCh1nK7_2ktsXv1ggkLY/w400-h300/Picture%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From my point of view in General B, I was grateful for the projections on the screens because I couldn’t see much of what was happening on stage. It was a lovely surprise when the curtain was dropped down revealing the giant M at the beginning of the show. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>It’s No Good </i>and <i>Sister Of Night</i> followed. Personally it was a truly emotional experience to hear this last track live because <i>Ultra</i> is one of my top 3 albums. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During <i>In Your Room</i> and <i>Wrong</i> there was a bit of a weird sound reverb at moments. Maybe the size of the venue and my location had something to do with it, as I did not hear that reverb during the second show. <i>Everything Counts</i> started, and the crowd was really into it, with Dave inviting us to sing along; <i>Precious</i> was well received too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Speak To Me </i>was performed and it was breathtaking, Dave’s voice sounds heavenly and it has all those weird space-like sounds that I like. Then Martin took over with <i>A Question Of Lust</i> and <i>Soul With Me. </i>At this point, I had the feeling that the setlist was rather slow-paced at times, at least in the place where I was standing, as I could see that the people were getting a bit disconnected and started chatting or checking their phones and stuff like that. I definitely enjoyed the second show a bit more than the first. I was closer to the stage and we had 4 setlist changes: <i>Home, Strangelove, My Favourite Stranger </i>and<i> Condemnation</i>. I also found several of my DM pals there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With <i>Ghosts Again</i>, the audience got back on track again, the second half of the setlist was much more upbeat and that was definitely something that you could feel in the audience. Maybe the devotees in the very front of the General A couldn’t perceive it, but certainly I did.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was time for songs like <i>Stripped</i> and<i> I Feel You</i> (I know lots of devotees would happily replace but I love this track live with its throbbing beat). Oddly enough, <i>John The Revelator</i> and <i>A Pain That I am Used To</i> were included, making the setlist rather similar to the one performed during the Global Spirit Tour. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>World In My Eyes </i>was delightful and emotional at the same time. I had my eyes glued to the projections, it was a perfect homage for Fletch. A thing of beauty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5R2FIwDSbuDycdA4v9nQ1S-ambLhmChCXj-n86hE6Majrzdt2byMzLQPrkI5wKAW5BhcxQkzfGLnMTisE764ar94g0M4zGAJ_S-zkSrKpKXnrRF_VCMeDfFueFHBaOPZ5fnVRX4rxGmN0FMPzxkX_drTSjc1kY1tNB8zfcDU2zQ8lOJ1meoH5oNVik8/s1353/Picture%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1353" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5R2FIwDSbuDycdA4v9nQ1S-ambLhmChCXj-n86hE6Majrzdt2byMzLQPrkI5wKAW5BhcxQkzfGLnMTisE764ar94g0M4zGAJ_S-zkSrKpKXnrRF_VCMeDfFueFHBaOPZ5fnVRX4rxGmN0FMPzxkX_drTSjc1kY1tNB8zfcDU2zQ8lOJ1meoH5oNVik8/w400-h301/Picture%205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Juan Oliveros</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was pretty cool that <i>Wrong </i>made the cut. It is a smashing track and was fantastic despite that the sound going a bit odd in certain moments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then <i>Enjoy the Silence</i> made an entrance, with its glittery skull projections, and the Mexican public loved it (as much as I respect Christian Eigner, I dread the drum banging part near the end, but it is what is). By the way, some impressive drone footage of the show is available here: <a href="https://x.com/depechemexico/status/1705108451259507011?s=20">https://x.com/depechemexico/status/1705108451259507011?s=20</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With <i>Waiting For The Night,</i> a ton of memories came to my mind. It is the song that I most remember from my very first DM concert. Absolutely magical, and during its 5 minutes, time seemed to stand still. Effing fantastic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Time restarted and the mighty hits like <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i>, <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal </i><i>Jesus</i> arrived making the audience completely devoted and engaged. DM was playing safe with this setlist, without any changes, but still left the audience on a high and cheerful. It is an excuse for seeing DM friends, at least for a brief time. I am always thrilled with the sense of community around concerts, and these nights were no exception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show ended around 11:30. Getting out of the Foro Sol was a bit hectic (as usual) and many of us didn’t make it to the metro that closed at midnight. It didn’t matter that much, in these times, it is a privilege to witness Depeche Mode live with all their strengths and flaws, reminding us all that we are ephemeral passengers on this train of life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks Natalia! </div><i><br /></i></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-44004594132457447062023-08-23T20:15:00.001+01:002023-08-24T07:01:25.261+01:00MILES AWAY - SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE 12" BOXSET<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq42kkxPNnq_pJookNB9AbYf-mIxvJ2ux6iZ7UYJwjJl7aqja3931satAegePztolzxwCNiYbSgQEBTrzOQ9dvs9JtgTetFhDniBQ5NmQiL41e_TOchrTAR2dIxHu6OuBpqB_XJr5dKOQEexLEwqpM5AcjWGQNbFDQWa-f2GbpxOZHBax1h9Y43yJWII/s4032/IMG_2294.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq42kkxPNnq_pJookNB9AbYf-mIxvJ2ux6iZ7UYJwjJl7aqja3931satAegePztolzxwCNiYbSgQEBTrzOQ9dvs9JtgTetFhDniBQ5NmQiL41e_TOchrTAR2dIxHu6OuBpqB_XJr5dKOQEexLEwqpM5AcjWGQNbFDQWa-f2GbpxOZHBax1h9Y43yJWII/w300-h400/IMG_2294.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have a feeling you may have heard a lot of this before...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I love Depeche Mode as I think everyone can accept. They're bloody marvellous, Martin Gore is an actual genius and they have released some of the most moving, awe inspiring and downright gorgeous music that has ever been committed to vinyl. Some of their albums are among the best I have ever heard, some of their singles are so good it's almost obscene, even a lot (ok, about 50%) of the videos are actual works of art. I love Depeche Mode. You can accept that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The fantastic 12" Boxset series has been a joy. It rightly celebrates Depeche Mode's pioneering role in 12" remixing and you won't find a bad remix on any of the boxsets up to the <i>Songs Of Faith And Devotion </i>one where that daft remix of <i>Higher Love</i> reminds you that, unless they chose wisely, Depeche were best when they remixed themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Even the post SOFAD boxes contain some gems despite various attempts to sully the good name of Depeche Mode. I'm very much looking at you DJ Muggs. Crucially though, they had good source material to work with, even if the end results were patchy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And so, accepting that I can no longer put off the inevitable, we reach <i>Sounds Of The Universe</i>, the ugly child of the Depeche Mode family, an album with a face only a mother could love. Here we go then....</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PAlv2lCZcEVzlu3vRan-3HMb5OJW9-zzlzIFxlCNP-T-RbMl46S7cf4KwP28-m9y1EOAF8-yrfzlHwvqCCn1xpsMix-o_D1lDuWtpt9X1fwQJd8V5DR54VOhf18rPXY9VleCqL0nFDR_FwkAkbrT5tMxEU9ufE_fSZaZo0GglQLVTs2xM7MsoKQYw3s/s3776/IMG_2421.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="1821" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PAlv2lCZcEVzlu3vRan-3HMb5OJW9-zzlzIFxlCNP-T-RbMl46S7cf4KwP28-m9y1EOAF8-yrfzlHwvqCCn1xpsMix-o_D1lDuWtpt9X1fwQJd8V5DR54VOhf18rPXY9VleCqL0nFDR_FwkAkbrT5tMxEU9ufE_fSZaZo0GglQLVTs2xM7MsoKQYw3s/w193-h400/IMG_2421.jpeg" width="193" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There were three singles released from the album. The majestic <i>Wrong</i> was the first and that was lovely. <i>Peace</i>, as pointless as song as the band have ever recorded, followed that and then <i>Hole To Feed</i> and <i>Fragile Tension</i> appeared as a double A side. Only three 12" singles were released between those three - <i>Wrong</i> had one and <i>Hole To Feed/Fragile Tension</i> came out as a double 12". In this box, we have an additional four records as we will see. I've listened to them all and you all therefore owe me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I won't review each remix here as I simply don't want to. Handily, I reviewed every Depeche Mode single in 2021 and you can find each of the <i>Sounds Of The Universe</i> singles right here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong - </i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html" style="text-align: left;">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part.html</a></div><div><br /></div><i>Wronger...sorry...Peace - </i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_8.html">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_8.html</a><div><br /></div><div><i>Hole To Feed/Fragile Tension - </i><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_10.html">http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2021/11/depeche-mode-singles-1981-to-2021-part_10.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like every boxset before it, this is a lovely thing to look at. An awful lot of thought has gone into its production and the labels and sleeves are really very nice. My box had a slight sleeve issue with some spine damage to the <i>Hole To Feed/Fragile Tension</i> double 12" sleeve but other than that, all is well with the physical side of things.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGuLUWJjYK5AMyo6Bjw4sCP7U90cYXWst8KRbpHm6L5rzJplKMxU-myP3eiM9021BFAK6XmZNYafmcp2SRPut_FLGJDHkyZvceLIyhrCIpikHTW6aTsNEdTISP1-eTuxEjKV0ENqtQd8qZAgaxo0Veg6v-d3DcnBEc0MgRk3iRA37gCgzfeoTTdZ_91w/s4032/IMG_2417.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGuLUWJjYK5AMyo6Bjw4sCP7U90cYXWst8KRbpHm6L5rzJplKMxU-myP3eiM9021BFAK6XmZNYafmcp2SRPut_FLGJDHkyZvceLIyhrCIpikHTW6aTsNEdTISP1-eTuxEjKV0ENqtQd8qZAgaxo0Veg6v-d3DcnBEc0MgRk3iRA37gCgzfeoTTdZ_91w/w300-h400/IMG_2417.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">First out of the box is 12BONG40, a reproduction of the original <i>Wrong </i>12".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DzbHQfyVvD-WJ5qh7OXJ7yySqn2Ri4O31fnwkEuA9tr_gx23qRb4zbFUxRGyRRDnay5vqWk2PIAm5TGMvmDv1LwNnstEyr7LDGY6awsn2hEfQzwdAIupGzeFGwQJx63WdFpeuUUJ4nmupqXtnnJkZ1T3MCNSXk_mUDtI446CsrTP1SULCGM8Rd2vmoM/s4032/IMG_2418.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DzbHQfyVvD-WJ5qh7OXJ7yySqn2Ri4O31fnwkEuA9tr_gx23qRb4zbFUxRGyRRDnay5vqWk2PIAm5TGMvmDv1LwNnstEyr7LDGY6awsn2hEfQzwdAIupGzeFGwQJx63WdFpeuUUJ4nmupqXtnnJkZ1T3MCNSXk_mUDtI446CsrTP1SULCGM8Rd2vmoM/w300-h400/IMG_2418.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's an exact replica of the original.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJZzM8dgP_ChvjcnqvRNvWyhFdPaY92v26mLS4rb6KqupNDfnaFD4uJfMx1NyoSxRN2uPERsd_HiL_lctNyYCJwoVnKluuo-laXreSLIoLTWzpdk6ewMP2povtGgTfMTKLPOBcLveKI-dm7Iovgyyz-vdx4iMjD6PsN9kseGWP3tGfBdV23queDJd8CA/s4032/IMG_2420.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJZzM8dgP_ChvjcnqvRNvWyhFdPaY92v26mLS4rb6KqupNDfnaFD4uJfMx1NyoSxRN2uPERsd_HiL_lctNyYCJwoVnKluuo-laXreSLIoLTWzpdk6ewMP2povtGgTfMTKLPOBcLveKI-dm7Iovgyyz-vdx4iMjD6PsN9kseGWP3tGfBdV23queDJd8CA/w300-h400/IMG_2420.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The same four remixes appear on it as on the original 12BONG40.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v64BP9HfImmNvPKLhRsCLVCeDtbA75EGobcQNFv3nKz71UjCwKwepNm-QVtqgOLKo3Dnp1jeUb9gFza_7aJlnJwwTLoEj9KmYHZtuitvuzui--OV_QQEcB3d_Kcbm4CBSAO1X-SWQLoGi6d7YlndiBNVaQ7Sv-xhnvoDh9N8-9CsnVfBM5RIVsh6kqA/s4032/IMG_2419.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v64BP9HfImmNvPKLhRsCLVCeDtbA75EGobcQNFv3nKz71UjCwKwepNm-QVtqgOLKo3Dnp1jeUb9gFza_7aJlnJwwTLoEj9KmYHZtuitvuzui--OV_QQEcB3d_Kcbm4CBSAO1X-SWQLoGi6d7YlndiBNVaQ7Sv-xhnvoDh9N8-9CsnVfBM5RIVsh6kqA/w300-h400/IMG_2419.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">They also put each purchaser's initials on the B-Side label which is nice. As you can see, mine has a D and an M on it. Check your own copy for your initials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGIuT7iWvqNPRcQsci_SJo_GObOVGFyXwZZHAPHyasC7nWJGs82FefxnjUAfUkAEUonW89_Q4axaCpXGtsNq9pX74O3841WZ0-NgT1e9RrNWRoy3i0JNHZcZsJe6_p4nkjjxDZJELgi7ruc6XTa-OrzAwdGCo0fnoG-jSqrrk2itFEVcsXvLq-k3_aR0/s4032/IMG_2296.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGIuT7iWvqNPRcQsci_SJo_GObOVGFyXwZZHAPHyasC7nWJGs82FefxnjUAfUkAEUonW89_Q4axaCpXGtsNq9pX74O3841WZ0-NgT1e9RrNWRoy3i0JNHZcZsJe6_p4nkjjxDZJELgi7ruc6XTa-OrzAwdGCo0fnoG-jSqrrk2itFEVcsXvLq-k3_aR0/w300-h400/IMG_2296.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The first new thing in the box is L12BONG40. Among the original formats in 2009 were two CDs, the second saying <i>Wrong remixes</i> on the cover art. That doesn't appear here as not all the tracks on here are remixes of <i>Wrong.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTafd69S2ICo8jJRzo6pbA_OKBXzEVWjWHmgiczT6kRk_FiIdSWG-U_QgQ6ZjgzuTppASj6sJOxl-R8MoLfggxz6HdLFTmlDdQsWAMgDwG3dfuEWGI-xMZfLskkNxwEp_IIYFBXa7FRe_zK6NkiFXynb4303gL6z0e29GlPnPhcjDp2wTL3DnW3H6Tqg/s4032/IMG_2297.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTafd69S2ICo8jJRzo6pbA_OKBXzEVWjWHmgiczT6kRk_FiIdSWG-U_QgQ6ZjgzuTppASj6sJOxl-R8MoLfggxz6HdLFTmlDdQsWAMgDwG3dfuEWGI-xMZfLskkNxwEp_IIYFBXa7FRe_zK6NkiFXynb4303gL6z0e29GlPnPhcjDp2wTL3DnW3H6Tqg/w300-h400/IMG_2297.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On the beautifully labelled side A, we have:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong - Magda's Scallop Funk Mix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong - D.I.M. v Boys Noize Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-_6MMQSqCGkPrAgKwz-FzUAjVB5smek-riWiL3fDfYKWzgSyv4PicMHU_T-u_fLhFix2t-OeR1ZjBf9VGL2_l6v7s5qpfLvfkV07vnYn_ACfrA69VvW5nA5fd6nlfUCH2hF3yr9NnMQ6diCAEt-PvjQXBI9R8oGvTf0xGWpzsgRuEPhQXqIrOD6rreI/s4032/IMG_2298.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-_6MMQSqCGkPrAgKwz-FzUAjVB5smek-riWiL3fDfYKWzgSyv4PicMHU_T-u_fLhFix2t-OeR1ZjBf9VGL2_l6v7s5qpfLvfkV07vnYn_ACfrA69VvW5nA5fd6nlfUCH2hF3yr9NnMQ6diCAEt-PvjQXBI9R8oGvTf0xGWpzsgRuEPhQXqIrOD6rreI/w300-h400/IMG_2298.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There's the back sleeve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlgIT1vSIQ-dXFXspbuknhBaZZm73tDtFxchRyVkN0k4U8svGNh_hrOYOwOa417mVDdHDvHIUI97lzot3F8ys_JOoTqJzcliNYdtywM95PsBVKTs5v1LG-9tIeHSJbzoY81fYiDAlYw4O93v6qVrwYYbm81poMi79HvtVlHAopI4QMtPqO8I8WQL0uCU/s4032/IMG_2299.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlgIT1vSIQ-dXFXspbuknhBaZZm73tDtFxchRyVkN0k4U8svGNh_hrOYOwOa417mVDdHDvHIUI97lzot3F8ys_JOoTqJzcliNYdtywM95PsBVKTs5v1LG-9tIeHSJbzoY81fYiDAlYw4O93v6qVrwYYbm81poMi79HvtVlHAopI4QMtPqO8I8WQL0uCU/w300-h400/IMG_2299.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On the record itself (look there are my initials again lolz etc):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong - Trentemoller Club Remix Dub</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Oh Well - Black Light Odyssey Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The latter of the two is what I believe the kids call "a banger" which is young person speak for a very good remix indeed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And that was all there as from <i>Sounds Of The U....</i>oh wait.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9hJbbOHwFRJSiHyObBSeOL0kjZyB5hPq4DrsuO1_SUQ7mNZhzGXghmWPBB2lwri4qW9oNmidfLCtlJTeXIJkYggRMpbLcuxA8-1xKS7t5l-uW-TSRuO-NmdjHE1yB7gYIDiEbkdm74Idq3D1tM2qSOUmPEvqbefC3UV4ML6G854qosf4D4uuOUER6yI/s4032/IMG_2302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9hJbbOHwFRJSiHyObBSeOL0kjZyB5hPq4DrsuO1_SUQ7mNZhzGXghmWPBB2lwri4qW9oNmidfLCtlJTeXIJkYggRMpbLcuxA8-1xKS7t5l-uW-TSRuO-NmdjHE1yB7gYIDiEbkdm74Idq3D1tM2qSOUmPEvqbefC3UV4ML6G854qosf4D4uuOUER6yI/w300-h400/IMG_2302.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For a single that should never have been a single in the first place, three formats were originally released. Thanks to this boxset, that number has shot up by 40%.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq-rTbHWibB1i5vI6aFDxnv1FZ7DZMWch8tJpzgVJ5-MI_NuZHifdjfSjlonr8vCBp4cfUlDAl9UJykVDUNtAcvQRJ8u5ixfNfIoxb4iEini-tG62FGINtu6K5v2LPiC2ieMIHD1nYSgfsM89AqRvV7WagRP7-NsF9kT15GhpqdUn3dPH1CHAB5m4hks/s4032/IMG_2303.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq-rTbHWibB1i5vI6aFDxnv1FZ7DZMWch8tJpzgVJ5-MI_NuZHifdjfSjlonr8vCBp4cfUlDAl9UJykVDUNtAcvQRJ8u5ixfNfIoxb4iEini-tG62FGINtu6K5v2LPiC2ieMIHD1nYSgfsM89AqRvV7WagRP7-NsF9kT15GhpqdUn3dPH1CHAB5m4hks/w300-h400/IMG_2303.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12BONG41 contains five, yes 5, remixes. On Side A we are blessed with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Single version</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - SixToes Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Come Back - Jonsi Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The latter two are fine actually at least in the context of what is to come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_Hu22wo-zitnmKKrz1poJfwqkxBWVYN4gUaBxSg7N4MAL7wQdbHJ-wRlk2YWeJddFd8ayIJjL9OS-eABGKJeSJvz6Wde2InYgCbFoD4EY-ctd3dz3d6EOhCEZjbLmmSWbrWW4AtdQSoIsnZwgcBL74J9-hqClZn77TTlSK95Adk8dP1rqGq0UB8GzKI/s4032/IMG_2304.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_Hu22wo-zitnmKKrz1poJfwqkxBWVYN4gUaBxSg7N4MAL7wQdbHJ-wRlk2YWeJddFd8ayIJjL9OS-eABGKJeSJvz6Wde2InYgCbFoD4EY-ctd3dz3d6EOhCEZjbLmmSWbrWW4AtdQSoIsnZwgcBL74J9-hqClZn77TTlSK95Adk8dP1rqGq0UB8GzKI/w300-h400/IMG_2304.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The rear sleeve above reveals the full horror of the B-Side</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0ACZOJqT-7pI_WbvtwF2uWzbJzVQIfjoMf7lnPIcGDaWGfZMuInLoJl5PYbY-pGDQQWp1Oph1XKS_pB4_xyqR7o99fZEkidHbase3X0tnWInvXz8J7JK8cLjXxxFGxhiuA4CI4Hfk_U3pRh3BtYp2Xr_rnqlG4evJIWa1kDTOgoa-KcyqbxJ1djEh2M/s4032/IMG_2305.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0ACZOJqT-7pI_WbvtwF2uWzbJzVQIfjoMf7lnPIcGDaWGfZMuInLoJl5PYbY-pGDQQWp1Oph1XKS_pB4_xyqR7o99fZEkidHbase3X0tnWInvXz8J7JK8cLjXxxFGxhiuA4CI4Hfk_U3pRh3BtYp2Xr_rnqlG4evJIWa1kDTOgoa-KcyqbxJ1djEh2M/w300-h400/IMG_2305.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It contains:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Ben Klock Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Japanese Popstars Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Both are terrible. The label is lovely though. This boxset really is a feast for the eyes instead of the ears though I will say that it sounds great. Sonically I mean. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yXW9xCToh9DSn57pUfZVdq4L6UwX049YeKIKRo9G5EpVPzerirfoYEjeIwTAn5cK28vXNXF4wrBxetvXKVSgtDJtNIp6vqfIxrTbbddsqojHcuhHDU6aaT_krtu2AkGAIoBuU0aEKQOojN5bVfs2nuyb4SyHjPb-KEpiJdCgcYSFO8JaqUUlt2lik7I/s4032/IMG_2307.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yXW9xCToh9DSn57pUfZVdq4L6UwX049YeKIKRo9G5EpVPzerirfoYEjeIwTAn5cK28vXNXF4wrBxetvXKVSgtDJtNIp6vqfIxrTbbddsqojHcuhHDU6aaT_krtu2AkGAIoBuU0aEKQOojN5bVfs2nuyb4SyHjPb-KEpiJdCgcYSFO8JaqUUlt2lik7I/w300-h400/IMG_2307.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">L12BONG41 is next. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DKrSZlzB22zTJ5yEElI_1gRQZVWldE4vuJ6lptiigaC77N7rR95X3xdq7xL8P6QmlxPEEvK4CBLZ7Uooog1Ky4J2o7dEM2NEBu3Ft4jbaxna_u7-AZrVgtoumarwQmUgXj-3e8bDDPL8jT4SycBHxbKOslh79o8WZaFl6sc1LF1Lke7Imw_yPjM2Orc/s4032/IMG_2309.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DKrSZlzB22zTJ5yEElI_1gRQZVWldE4vuJ6lptiigaC77N7rR95X3xdq7xL8P6QmlxPEEvK4CBLZ7Uooog1Ky4J2o7dEM2NEBu3Ft4jbaxna_u7-AZrVgtoumarwQmUgXj-3e8bDDPL8jT4SycBHxbKOslh79o8WZaFl6sc1LF1Lke7Imw_yPjM2Orc/w300-h400/IMG_2309.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This record, while lovely to look at, would test the patience of any Depeche Mode fan, even those guys you see with actual pictures of the band members tattooed on their back. You know who I mean. Side A has only two tracks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Sid LeRock Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Justus Kohncke Extended Disco Club Vocal Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Honestly. That second remix title can just fuck off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzY4M4BbH0PFe9w_TpQTwvMDoW3qy3YECZ4ucOw6PCTfJKHe0Xy6o0KXvaUZ-Esnm8HCqJKuscuSkU8fABAYzje2hWHCLZlDlB0foPyPcCxU3RtrvKmz3LSy5-G5l7iy1DrQrkjPxDacrWJEM7ZQWENPTdJIY8mgsSkpiokQRLNEZ7Mzz_VL3vYYRU68/s4032/IMG_2308.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzY4M4BbH0PFe9w_TpQTwvMDoW3qy3YECZ4ucOw6PCTfJKHe0Xy6o0KXvaUZ-Esnm8HCqJKuscuSkU8fABAYzje2hWHCLZlDlB0foPyPcCxU3RtrvKmz3LSy5-G5l7iy1DrQrkjPxDacrWJEM7ZQWENPTdJIY8mgsSkpiokQRLNEZ7Mzz_VL3vYYRU68/w300-h400/IMG_2308.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The rear sleeve, like the front, is really nice. I genuinely do love the attention that goes into these new 12" singles, even if their existence does annoy some collectors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLywb-0Ij9Vp_vVeRBE0m35vDtP646z8AV8HEXslNRbvtPyQGXBOWKhdrVB8kIWi6BQPYPjUdL37dpZyA69J9SNuINxtxJAXgaW_J5f0RFeQvNv3edQQzks-sDxxwgWYLJsa12ET-ZOiq6rVTeJAofCCp9-BIGqBjLyziFj-S5Ef836HtOm8eM8mh9rGc/s4032/IMG_2310.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLywb-0Ij9Vp_vVeRBE0m35vDtP646z8AV8HEXslNRbvtPyQGXBOWKhdrVB8kIWi6BQPYPjUdL37dpZyA69J9SNuINxtxJAXgaW_J5f0RFeQvNv3edQQzks-sDxxwgWYLJsa12ET-ZOiq6rVTeJAofCCp9-BIGqBjLyziFj-S5Ef836HtOm8eM8mh9rGc/w300-h400/IMG_2310.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The existence of these records doesn't annoy me despite my collector problem. It's the music that pisses me off. This is Depeche Mode for God's sake, not Coldplay. They shouldn't just bang out any old tat like Chris Martin's comedy troupe, yet on Side B, we get these:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - The Exploding Plastic Inevitable JK Disco Dub</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peace - Pan/Tone Remix</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9zN5RSev6Aw9A4Hc7LeoY4rzPfApx-ambMM-QQbYghceYA5JJDw7hP38u4kEEFoms1EZZ9DcP3ptWCc7sm7L7Jp0WcPbpNRdz3xe3zgAi4Wpnnq6KBSbHvrtKkc-Z9pmx-pRHYPOibdVLb5c4g9JCpRtrGV-tEEgV_vcarnSw5uY0P9u3FXNSANxE7A/s4032/IMG_2311.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9zN5RSev6Aw9A4Hc7LeoY4rzPfApx-ambMM-QQbYghceYA5JJDw7hP38u4kEEFoms1EZZ9DcP3ptWCc7sm7L7Jp0WcPbpNRdz3xe3zgAi4Wpnnq6KBSbHvrtKkc-Z9pmx-pRHYPOibdVLb5c4g9JCpRtrGV-tEEgV_vcarnSw5uY0P9u3FXNSANxE7A/w300-h400/IMG_2311.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As you will have seen from my single review, <i>Hole To Feed/Fragile Tension </i>came out as a double 12" in 2009. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz5KnOajNiqlNyPkZXcKbkHBtC-5SxMKQr854vZV38dk8J8VM-c_cIWd-ajlOm5KngJJu3jHGaVNM5L6DI-RS9hmTwkxynzXZdmErNcG9Gwk4nrkeW9t3yY818pfY9SvBY5KxSTcCuCn5P5Cg7YgouMX2_pfvFOacfV3v2qJYQohRBOCo-YGKwF6cJoc/s4032/IMG_2312.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz5KnOajNiqlNyPkZXcKbkHBtC-5SxMKQr854vZV38dk8J8VM-c_cIWd-ajlOm5KngJJu3jHGaVNM5L6DI-RS9hmTwkxynzXZdmErNcG9Gwk4nrkeW9t3yY818pfY9SvBY5KxSTcCuCn5P5Cg7YgouMX2_pfvFOacfV3v2qJYQohRBOCo-YGKwF6cJoc/w300-h400/IMG_2312.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This release, 12BONG42, is identical in every way to the original.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2HXJbAGrc66-zPvvft26sDwVXgkkTNk4VxBi6VUIjXK7hSZnGjd11zAnrh13j_QwvRWoqZHhw9WZfZ-nfUS87noAoiWHfEEETBGAa52pzvtF0OncWMY8vNXVnV1pARZADFTr8uM3OI8gkLI_qcYmS7xpOA4_-NsU2nmJRzeqSqEWNAxR9YUUNneOqOg/s4032/IMG_2313.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2HXJbAGrc66-zPvvft26sDwVXgkkTNk4VxBi6VUIjXK7hSZnGjd11zAnrh13j_QwvRWoqZHhw9WZfZ-nfUS87noAoiWHfEEETBGAa52pzvtF0OncWMY8vNXVnV1pARZADFTr8uM3OI8gkLI_qcYmS7xpOA4_-NsU2nmJRzeqSqEWNAxR9YUUNneOqOg/w300-h400/IMG_2313.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I genuinely don't like one remix on it. People seem to like the song <i>Perfect</i> which I will never understand. It features here twice on side C if that's your thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEAyeNtGD_KOxfvIb6zioWThjHaOig0fxb2DR_2Bs_1K6NZQpsL-MoZ1nVM_qoCE9Ut-B1ilLPAiWW-BghDDKqpii3hoz1AchPiQh6MLPP36O-pehDwraDH3Vb9bOvd9MJB4Da5lrIFCv419VPGNpVCpueP7McXhhP7p0s7PhgxPOz6k6MTCyW8IVrjs/s4032/IMG_2314.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEAyeNtGD_KOxfvIb6zioWThjHaOig0fxb2DR_2Bs_1K6NZQpsL-MoZ1nVM_qoCE9Ut-B1ilLPAiWW-BghDDKqpii3hoz1AchPiQh6MLPP36O-pehDwraDH3Vb9bOvd9MJB4Da5lrIFCv419VPGNpVCpueP7McXhhP7p0s7PhgxPOz6k6MTCyW8IVrjs/w300-h400/IMG_2314.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The final 12" in the box is another new one - L12BONG42. The idea behind it is great. It gathers together a few radio versions and remixes that appeared on promos of the era, producing an eight track 12".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmKydkNsd3pA-yu3rGWRjTJoymhTFJVek1sEeUV7vWSzlVuk55WRvzjGBy_U9jzd6mM5n3aRQGdmcApIi6R-1026q2HO14aymq6n1QIwl7KB6CdjRS5ebWHAGii_9xRTpwCzEXKlbnDZjU073xyGgJyl5h0vF_uMIfctH0tZ7b0v6IawyL-4ruUT3M4s/s4032/IMG_2315.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmKydkNsd3pA-yu3rGWRjTJoymhTFJVek1sEeUV7vWSzlVuk55WRvzjGBy_U9jzd6mM5n3aRQGdmcApIi6R-1026q2HO14aymq6n1QIwl7KB6CdjRS5ebWHAGii_9xRTpwCzEXKlbnDZjU073xyGgJyl5h0vF_uMIfctH0tZ7b0v6IawyL-4ruUT3M4s/w300-h400/IMG_2315.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There they all are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMawysmaSlUip-h7IuD5kx2OyKf8FAePgI5WszQGJIqGzCphcXk9KvprP342jv2irDLwECav2PCAlXdtUVZo5OoTt-Z1Ibpx8sbEvOJKINQtK3wmezmPyB2MCdLoUuKSHPiQdty7j5aXlIU9qtrxyaY9S6OZKyMNgWwPmE-cJ9vzZJfmwnJSh5gM49ZH8/s4032/IMG_2316.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMawysmaSlUip-h7IuD5kx2OyKf8FAePgI5WszQGJIqGzCphcXk9KvprP342jv2irDLwECav2PCAlXdtUVZo5OoTt-Z1Ibpx8sbEvOJKINQtK3wmezmPyB2MCdLoUuKSHPiQdty7j5aXlIU9qtrxyaY9S6OZKyMNgWwPmE-cJ9vzZJfmwnJSh5gM49ZH8/w300-h400/IMG_2316.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Side A contains:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Fragile Tension - Radio Mix</i>. I GENUINELY like this song. Shut up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Hole To Feed - Radio Mix</i>. I can't say the same for this one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Come Back - SixToes Remix</i> Another good track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Fragile Tension - Laidback Luke Remix. </i>Poor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLn75qrX6Lpm2bRIGquRlg0Ko8S3GnlwPk7E2vTlWFiR-tG-Zsx3KgjqoePeK2Y85fIkj1qM8vVyinykIiIBXW7NIls9IdJl1Zr6EjILroS28NFP0zVm5t8greHqBtoHBqVpUbC4pD-DWoKpObMgrqGugwCfB8NTuSwBWAazjPpun5Bmx8NSMKTSpVJQ/s4032/IMG_2317.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLn75qrX6Lpm2bRIGquRlg0Ko8S3GnlwPk7E2vTlWFiR-tG-Zsx3KgjqoePeK2Y85fIkj1qM8vVyinykIiIBXW7NIls9IdJl1Zr6EjILroS28NFP0zVm5t8greHqBtoHBqVpUbC4pD-DWoKpObMgrqGugwCfB8NTuSwBWAazjPpun5Bmx8NSMKTSpVJQ/w300-h400/IMG_2317.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Side B is full of pish as we say in Scotland:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Fragile Tension - Peter, Bjorn and John Remix. </i> Remember them? That whistling song? No? No wonder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Hole To Feed - Joebot Remix</i> No, just no.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Perfect - Ralphi & Craig Club Remix </i>Yuck</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Fragile Tension - Solo Loves Panoram Remix</i> Yuck again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwj-q_TMLHKslc6RVraSmrAt96LCT_dTm-b_idb-ezmjOMH7g4v9d_ofUA6VktL_ECnAXkyZRnqoCLAvj3j9B4HMmX_OKyS2JD2HGP80q0NCQF6mwekvYMNcQz0fPfMG2RIwxh1x_XOD0-XwftfwRuL3rX3EUK7RcE9uoeB_1T32ogdl5sR1e_j6ktpo/s4032/IMG_2295.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwj-q_TMLHKslc6RVraSmrAt96LCT_dTm-b_idb-ezmjOMH7g4v9d_ofUA6VktL_ECnAXkyZRnqoCLAvj3j9B4HMmX_OKyS2JD2HGP80q0NCQF6mwekvYMNcQz0fPfMG2RIwxh1x_XOD0-XwftfwRuL3rX3EUK7RcE9uoeB_1T32ogdl5sR1e_j6ktpo/w300-h400/IMG_2295.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As ever, the rear of the box has a picture showing you exactly what to avoid when you open it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOSN1jI-lS8r9dtQ4yASCVSGc9t2-x_-KPsATprmi_600MdY8PeWLX9rVG4cULkJd9XKF1IkQFNv-dau6f6d9ppnYxfrhFT5RdWXejkSSA84-BRDAqMNXXRnT6dT_loPoLZeX1OX5y_B3CVcE46I_c7yBzm8B-mwRYLKnBSybBOY1llaCgvdTkH_yzVc/s4032/IMG_2300.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOSN1jI-lS8r9dtQ4yASCVSGc9t2-x_-KPsATprmi_600MdY8PeWLX9rVG4cULkJd9XKF1IkQFNv-dau6f6d9ppnYxfrhFT5RdWXejkSSA84-BRDAqMNXXRnT6dT_loPoLZeX1OX5y_B3CVcE46I_c7yBzm8B-mwRYLKnBSybBOY1llaCgvdTkH_yzVc/w300-h400/IMG_2300.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There's a cool reprint <i>Wrong </i>promo poster. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"What was MySpace grandpa?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx5xvPa2MwBboDtHvOU9GSOJcnFB6kPiRFj8wPbfulUA4f4gwkoHokt9k_G-euiGkBgWQ8TZyQpgoMzQ3nRO-8v4Y7hAb7SNlVrDVmh2AvYXAtapMlfkSs1WLkrDcnjQxNBqpP4GeKkwUVocfmZW1aeKiugS2pft2ghZ3UrkH6J1tNJYKg3uZW88raHE/s4032/IMG_2301.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx5xvPa2MwBboDtHvOU9GSOJcnFB6kPiRFj8wPbfulUA4f4gwkoHokt9k_G-euiGkBgWQ8TZyQpgoMzQ3nRO-8v4Y7hAb7SNlVrDVmh2AvYXAtapMlfkSs1WLkrDcnjQxNBqpP4GeKkwUVocfmZW1aeKiugS2pft2ghZ3UrkH6J1tNJYKg3uZW88raHE/w300-h400/IMG_2301.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And if you want to annoy your enemies, the download card contains a code that will let you install every <i>Peace</i> remix on their digital device of your choosing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I realise that I have perhaps been a bit harsh here because there is much to admire about this box. It continues the great work that we have seen in this series and the effort that has gone into the artwork and audio can only be admired. One great thing about the <i>Sounds Of The Universe </i>campaign was the return of coloured vinyl with the <i>Wrong </i>and <i>Peace 7" </i>singles. It's a pity they didn't turn up here somehow but the difficulty in vinyl production generally probably put paid to that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you are a collector, and I am one of those, you will want this as having gaps in your collection is really not the done thing. Like the album these singles came from however, once you buy it, you are not likely to play it again, the <i>Wrong</i> singles aside.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-25548383877800755542023-08-22T15:43:00.001+01:002023-08-22T15:43:30.877+01:00GET OUT THE CRANE - CONSTRUCTION TIME AGAIN TURNS 40<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMExeF35GmRZ30Bc1-TE980qHb1i0RfOGlahhsbJO3EUqMhJ5S0-xstPhLWpcUScD1Gns_9B7K0_sAxKsfF1jxTpzMtm13ceZMyqXMEDz98V5pxsuprlv1maaCED4Wr4dvuYdwQxHrpUS5TfVJKmEJgJd7wCWCdOlgg6NVxc8qf1UrNXRum4cNSIP72P4/s1170/IMG_2414.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1170" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMExeF35GmRZ30Bc1-TE980qHb1i0RfOGlahhsbJO3EUqMhJ5S0-xstPhLWpcUScD1Gns_9B7K0_sAxKsfF1jxTpzMtm13ceZMyqXMEDz98V5pxsuprlv1maaCED4Wr4dvuYdwQxHrpUS5TfVJKmEJgJd7wCWCdOlgg6NVxc8qf1UrNXRum4cNSIP72P4/w400-h393/IMG_2414.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>To celebrate Depeche Mode's landmark Construction Time Again reaching its 40th birthday, here is an article I wrote for the 2023 Classic Pop Depeche Mode special. I was asked to write about an album that had not had that much coverage previously and Construction Time Again seemed an ideal choice. If you want to buy the magazine this first featured in, go to </i><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.classicpopmag.com/2023/04/classic-pop-presents-depeche-mode/" style="text-align: left;">https://www.classicpopmag.com/2023/04/classic-pop-presents-depeche-mode/</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depeche Mode’s third album, <i>Construction Time Again,</i> represents a crucial step in the band’s career. With this album, they moved away from the pop-focussed sound of <i>Speak & Spell</i> and <i>A Broken Frame </i>and, combining Martin’s interest in the industrial sounds of Einsturzende Neubauten and the sampling skills of “Tonmeister” Gareth Jones, they created a collection of songs that brought an experimental edge to their electronic pop music. The album also of course saw them use Hansa Studios in Berlin for the first time, the start of their fruitful relationship with Jones, and it produced a classic Depeche Mode single in <i>Everything Counts</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To properly consider <i>Construction Time Again</i>, we must go back to the band’s January 1983 single <i>Get The Balance Right</i>. That release saw Alan Wilder officially join Depeche Mode and the single’s 12” remix, the <i>Combination Mix</i>, gave a clear indication of the direction in which Depeche Mode were headed. The harder sounding edge of the remix saw the band move on from the more standard 12” remixes to something entirely different, and that sound and feel resonate throughout <i>Construction Time Again</i>. As we will see, having co-written <i>Get The Balance Right’</i>s B-side, the curious instrumental <i>The Great Outdoors </i>with Gore, Wilder also wrote two of that album’s nine tracks, thus quickly cementing himself as an integral part of the band he had only recently joined.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recording for <i>Construction Time Again </i>began in April 1983 in The Garden studios which were owned by John Foxx. The band, Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller stayed there for two months, and, during that time, they revolutionised the way Depeche Mode approached making music. The band’s first two albums were predominantly, if not wholly, analogue recordings but the use of The Garden’s digital facilities together with the introduction of Daniel Miller’s new purchased Synclavier sampling synthesizer opened up a new world of possibilities for the band. Like Gore, Jones was fascinated by the possibilities of sampling and he and Depeche Mode used his Stellavox SP7 reel-to-reel recorder to add textures and atmosphere to the album itself. The Garden was based in Shoreditch and that area was far from the area it now; it was run-down and full of building sites, old railway yards and all sorts of places filled with sampling possibilities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The album’s third track, the Gore lead vocal <i>Pipeline</i>, is the album’s best example of the studio’s team’s eagerness to sample anything they could. The song is constructed entirely from found sounds, made up from the band, Miller and Jones hitting, banging and recording anything they could find in their Shoreditch playground. The vocals were recorded in a railway yard in the area and, as can be heard from around four minutes fifteen seconds into the track, a train passed by as Martin sang. The decision to keep that noise in the song is an inspired one; if you’re going to make a song influenced by industrial music, made entirely from samples of noises you found in railway yards and building sites, you may as well retain the noise of a passing train for extra authenticity. More Trans East End Express than <i>Trans Europe Express</i> perhaps?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Pipeline</i> is the only track on Construction Time Again that is entirely made up of samples. Jones estimates that only “15-20%” of the album is made up of samples with the rest played on the band’s usual synthesizers. It’s worth noting too that on <i>Love, In Itself</i> and <i>And Then…</i> an acoustic guitar makes an appearance, a novelty for Depeche Mode at that time. The use of “real” instruments is taken further on the <i>Love, In Itself</i> remix <i>Love, In Itself 4</i> which sees the band take on a lounge style persona with Dave crooning to a guitar and piano backing. Experimentation was very much in the air.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once the London sessions were concluded, the band moved to Berlin to mix the album at Hansa Studios. That studio became the band’s home for the next few years and they recorded the next two albums, <i>Some Great Reward</i> and <i>Black Celebration</i>, there. Their newfound love of sampling married to their growing sonic ambition meant that they needed somewhere more specialised to mix <i>Construction Time Again</i>. Jones was already familiar with the studio, and, in September 1983, Dave Gahan told Record Mirror:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We’ve been working in The Garden Studios in Shoreditch, and we just wanted to go to Berlin to get a different atmosphere. If you work a lot in one place it gets quite boring and we were using so many channels, we couldn’t possibly mix on a 24 track.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hansa offered a state-of-the-art studio with 64-input Solid State Logic mixing console, facilities that perfectly suited the ideas the band, Miller and Jones had for the sound of the album. Berlin suited the band perfectly too with its 24-hour nightlife particularly appealing. Gore ended up moving to the city to live with his new Berlin native girlfriend and that move’s influence on him directly informed the band’s next two albums and Gore’s newfound dress sense, a style still tediously not forgotten by his home country’s press today. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The album’s release was preceded by its first single, <i>Everything Counts</i>, which came out on 11th June 1983. The single perfectly exemplifies what Depeche Mode were trying to achieve with <i>Construction Time Again;</i> the pop sensibilities were still there but the daring addition of sampling and industrial influences meant that the band were doing something very different from their peers. This experimentation often gets overlooked and Depeche Mode do not receive the credit they should do for the bold way they mixed two very different genres while at their pop height. The band’s television appearances in their home country still suggested a band playing the pop game and that sadly seems to have led to the album’s new direction and sonic pallet being overlooked. Gary Bushell’s typically coarse review of <i>Everything Counts</i> in Sounds (“And the band played on…whether the members of Depeche Mode are actually dead or alive is a question that’s baffled the medical profession for years.”) sums up the majority of the UK music press’ attitude to the band at the time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The single was rightly a hit, reaching number 6 in the UK charts, accompanied by the band’s first wholly watchable video, filmed by Clive Richardson in Berlin. The 12” features a wonderful remix <i>Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)</i> while the single’s B-side, the enjoyably throwaway <i>Work Hard</i>, takes the album’s name and themes a little too literally. Like the <i>Combination Mix</i> of <i>Get The Balance Right</i>, <i>Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)</i> shows just how far ahead of their peers Depeche Mode were when it came to remixing their own songs for 12” single releases, a cause rightly celebrated by the band’s ongoing 12” Boxset release programme. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Get The Balance Right</i> had also seen the band’s first limited edition 12” release, a stunning numbered, blue sleeved record that featured four live tracks from the band’s Hammersmith Odeon gig on 25th October 1982 alongside the single version of the track. That trick was repeated with<i> Everything Counts</i>, with a red sleeved 12” featuring the single and four more tracks from the same concert. The green sleeved limited edition 12” released for <i>Love In Itself,</i> the second and final single from Construction Time Again, gave fans a further four songs from Hammersmith gig, and all three 12” singles together provide a wonderful record of the live Depeche sound of the time which comprised three things: unforgettable melodies, synthesizers and screaming fans. Interestingly, the songs from <i>A Broken Frame</i> that most pointed to the direction Depeche Mode were headed, <i>Leave In Silence</i> and <i>The Sun & The Rainfall</i>, while played at Hammersmith were not present on these 12” singles. Perhaps the band were using them to say goodbye to their first phase as they moved on to darker, more interesting places?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The artwork for <i>Everything Counts</i> showed a sketch of a man hitting an anvil with a hammer, a precursor to the striking Brian Griffin shot artwork that graced the album sleeve. The album cover showed a worker wielding a sledgehammer on a mountainside, the worker in fact Griffin’s brother posing on Mont Blanc. The image matches the album’s themes and tone perfectly, though it did lead to some over-interpretation of the band’s political motives during an infamous interview with X Moore in the NME in September 1983. His attempts to have them engage in deep conversation about their newfound political direction failed however as the band shied away from any notion of that at all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That is not to say that <i>Construction Time Again</i> ignored wider issues. Alan Wilder’s two songs on the album, <i>Two Minute Warning</i> and <i>The Landscape Is Changing</i>, dealt with subjects new to Depeche Mode releases. The former tackled the then ever-present fear of nuclear destruction and the latter, written after Wilder watched a documentary on acid rain, considered the environment and the impact we were having on it. Neither topic could be said to be topics particularly covered by pop bands of the time, never mind Depeche Mode themselves. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of the album was of course written by Martin Gore and, while he didn’t follow Wilder’s lead and write songs that posted clear comments on world events, there is a theme that runs through many of his songs that perhaps shows X Moore wasn’t too far off the mark. <i>Pipeline</i> gave the album its overall theme and atmosphere. In that song, the construction of the titular pipleline is seen as a joyous event (“<i>On this golden day, work’s been sent out way</i>”) that provides something for the workers involved (“T<i>aking from the greedy, giving to the needy</i>”). In <i>Everything Counts</i> on the other hand, a song inspired by a trip the band made to Asia, the greed of money-makers is seen very much as a bad thing (“<i>The grabbing hands, grab all they can, all for themselves, after all.</i>”) Elsewhere, <i>Shame</i> sees Gore point the finger at anyone complacently watching others suffer and doing nothing to help them (“<i>Soap won’t wash away your shame</i>”) and <i>Told You So</i> borrows from William Blake’s Jerusalem, turning that poem on its head, highlighting that the green and pleasant English land envisioned by Blake was far different in reality. More oblique than Wilder’s songs no doubt, but still very much not what was expected of Depeche Mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The album’s opening two tracks, under-performing second single <i>Love, In Itself</i> (it only reached number 21 in the U.K.) and the thunderous <i>More Than A Party</i>, are a good start to the album but don’t offer too many clues to what lies ahead as from <i>Pipeline</i> to <i>Told You So,</i> the album changes direction and becomes more serious as discussed above. The closing track<i> And Then… </i>calms everything down, offering the idea that we “<i>pull it all down and start again</i>,” which, given the state of the world address the band have just delivered, seems a reasonable idea. It’s a very clever, enjoyable closing track and a hidden gem in the band’s rich back catalogue. Just when we think that <i>And Then…</i> has served its purpose however, a 59 second long reprise of the chorus of <i>Everything Counts</i> plays, perhaps suggesting that starting all again is futile as those with the power and the money will always win.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While easy to dismiss <i>Construction Time Again</i> as just another early Depeche Mode album featuring a great single, it pays to look much deeper into this album. Depeche Mode used <i>Construction Time Again </i>to push the boundaries of what synthpop bands could do. Instead of repeating the previously successful formula, they looked to industrial music, saw the potential of new sampling technology and, while never losing their pop edge, created a mature, focussed album that set them firmly on the path to their dominant late 80’s/early 90’s period. In terms of innovation and experimentation, <i>Construction Time Again </i>is one of Depeche Mode’s boldest and best albums.</div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-72315101613848436352023-08-15T13:44:00.007+01:002023-08-21T07:30:57.006+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, PARKEN, COPENHAGEN, 27 JUNE 2023<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vCJpqXr-8ZDzrofvzwetyemM_SXW243iCDWKd0EViFsER9I9rDibO56YR4iGVwumHbh7sWRaQXvcTnglAkc0wAB4zionb8FA5zES56lFMrILgWko5ICLUpJXlUh3oYKlJVOASj46gQRsaX1QwZtd4orwjPAWl0ai1NTLuANQ0lTVPW0Ja6Xm1gCFUXM/s1080/PARKEN%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vCJpqXr-8ZDzrofvzwetyemM_SXW243iCDWKd0EViFsER9I9rDibO56YR4iGVwumHbh7sWRaQXvcTnglAkc0wAB4zionb8FA5zES56lFMrILgWko5ICLUpJXlUh3oYKlJVOASj46gQRsaX1QwZtd4orwjPAWl0ai1NTLuANQ0lTVPW0Ja6Xm1gCFUXM/w400-h400/PARKEN%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Fredrik Lindh</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>This review is by Kate Dowling. It's Kate's first for the blog. She is one of the people who has been worn down by years of my Twitter based Depeche Mode nonsense who happily wasn't put off the band instead volunteered a review. It's a great read as I'm sure you will agree. Follow Kate on Twitter @waveatthetrain . The photos that appear here are either hers or from other sources. Don’t steal their pictures.</i></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy3Rk75EceXNG_CTKHXQqUGJa2rfrh60vvu6T6BajhNNTQrYsIyn-OAOOlRSkyIM7qfTKnBaJFlUohtYost2b2TDovaQsUsGpxAGtHYuNk8U_2naTPfcZqWS1WATrBehU0wvCA2ytUOifcd4wxqK5knWpQK0bNXC-TSIC7zs3vk09SbjPGWcEAofXKi8/s3264/9712673C-814E-4B01-A3FC-40D31B3BBCD7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy3Rk75EceXNG_CTKHXQqUGJa2rfrh60vvu6T6BajhNNTQrYsIyn-OAOOlRSkyIM7qfTKnBaJFlUohtYost2b2TDovaQsUsGpxAGtHYuNk8U_2naTPfcZqWS1WATrBehU0wvCA2ytUOifcd4wxqK5knWpQK0bNXC-TSIC7zs3vk09SbjPGWcEAofXKi8/w400-h300/9712673C-814E-4B01-A3FC-40D31B3BBCD7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There’s a certain panic that happens when you’re in an airport within two hours of flying and that flight is cancelled. There’s that level of panic and then there’s the panic you feel when your flight is cancelled and you’re due to see Depeche Mode the following day. We scrambled for a replacement plane and got the last two seats that would get us to Copenhagen in time. It was a very lucky escape.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arriving in Denmark only a few hours before the gig, there was a quick turnaround to check into the hotel, find somewhere to eat and get orientated in the direction of the stadium. Like a gig day anywhere, there’s always the overwhelming focus that you have reached THE day, but for me there’s a particular nervous energy to seeing a gig away from home in a venue you don’t know, when you’re don’t really know where you’re going. You look at a map and it looks close to the hotel, but it’s still a bit of a lottery. We were lucky as the Parken Stadium was incredibly straightforward to find and in easy in walking distance of where we were staying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like anyone that’s been following the tour and heading for a gig, there’s always the excitement of what variation might occur during the setlist. I’m a big fan of the setlist charts produced by Mark Peterborough, which are shared on Twitter after every gig - you can check these out via @markpeterboro. The charts list all the song variations and represent any emerging patterns with the choice of tracks that are played live, including those Martin curveballs which appear as if by magic and make you wonder if you’re going to be getting <i>Home</i> or even, by a slim percentage, <i>Shake the Disease</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">Following Mark’s charts I knew the potential tracks that could be played. We’d already been to Twickenham and I would really have liked some changes to what was played during that performance. I loved that set, but there’s always the hope that you might get something completely different. I appreciate that this is probably completely unrealistic, but I’m one of a dedicated following that thinks <i>Before We Drown</i> would be a fantastic addition to the live set. Well, there’s always hope, isn’t there?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqadsmMn3d_LcdRQMdkVWBVXQF-m7warP_5yINU2JUoKIfVxMdF6o68I4umpFUY4e5Olkj3MF-opCfZf4yaD-GAZiZvXVYtdWXHNhIqgXZEro6ym9N2aiqRiL-qsks2qRMDm-QUH220Cd3viirusJHGP0mMn84Ss971wo0ccYxibInhjSRYM8XPlBN3q8/s3264/DFA6B4D8-6688-4CF6-A6A1-2756BBC1D4DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqadsmMn3d_LcdRQMdkVWBVXQF-m7warP_5yINU2JUoKIfVxMdF6o68I4umpFUY4e5Olkj3MF-opCfZf4yaD-GAZiZvXVYtdWXHNhIqgXZEro6ym9N2aiqRiL-qsks2qRMDm-QUH220Cd3viirusJHGP0mMn84Ss971wo0ccYxibInhjSRYM8XPlBN3q8/w300-h400/DFA6B4D8-6688-4CF6-A6A1-2756BBC1D4DF.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The stadium was absolutely packed by the time the band reached the stage, with no gaps at all at pitch level. With the roof closed it also had a very different feel to the Twickenham gig, something of a hybrid between a stadium and an arena due to the light that was still coming through the covered ceiling. We had great seats, which was a pleasant realisation. They certainly didn’t look that close to the stage when I booked them. The booking system obviously lied!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Things got off to a banging start music-wise, but when anyone tried to stand up in the crowd, the Live Nation security staff told people to sit down. I always go for a seat as I’ve a problem with one of my legs and can’t stand for hours. I appreciate with this there’s a risk when I do need to dance, but I’ve never seen such wide-scale control of people standing in a seated area as there was in Copenhagen. Even as time went on, the people in the row behind were not having any standing. I really felt for the guy sitting at the side of us, who was so into the music that he was down on his knees during <i>Stripped</i>. He was elevated to an otherworldly worship by the song, but was being suppressed by an under-zealous crowd.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think anyone seeing Depeche has views about what does and doesn’t work live. I have those feelings too, but <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> was an unexpected highlight. This track hadn’t really stood out for me on <i>Memento Mor</i>i, but playing it live seems to turn it into a proper banger. With the roof closed, the song had that warehouse, ravey vibe about it. And yes, I know <i>John The Revelator</i> is that Marmite song that people seem to love or hate, but I bloomin’ love it and I was thrilled that it’s been included on this tour. Who’s that shouting? Me, apparently.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK0bZ0AQzryJKRO6rf5kMnEaQPYtkdWL_QcLgUSJUzDTqNT4NaElewlqaXPkLPYokffLewthP1aJ0YNRaSq_lJYT31K7Ftuao-MYvLJnqgpz5Bu-kAI1IUKUPlUh-sNhXGteXfKltLvZxVmGR_M24rzgYpwn6IdLM_bs0aTg-dgk-GsVccPtcSziKXPY/s3264/F731D032-D4EE-4F96-A024-15ABBCDFB511.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK0bZ0AQzryJKRO6rf5kMnEaQPYtkdWL_QcLgUSJUzDTqNT4NaElewlqaXPkLPYokffLewthP1aJ0YNRaSq_lJYT31K7Ftuao-MYvLJnqgpz5Bu-kAI1IUKUPlUh-sNhXGteXfKltLvZxVmGR_M24rzgYpwn6IdLM_bs0aTg-dgk-GsVccPtcSziKXPY/w400-h300/F731D032-D4EE-4F96-A024-15ABBCDFB511.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time we reached <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>, some sporadic standing was permitted, which broke out in to - Shock! Horror! - widespread dancing by <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i>. <i>Personal Jesus</i> brought things to a close and whilst I’m not really in favour of the Hammond Organ embellishments that have appeared more recently, the track is always such a great finale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then, like warm sand that you’re trying to stop running through your fingers, it’s gone. The band are bowing and waving at the crowd, your hands are sore from applause, your voice is disappearing. We didn’t get any of those surprises during the set, but I was just grateful for being able to be there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With truly great bands the shared sense of experiencing something incredible with thousands of people is almost palpable. It was there for me in that stadium as I turned to leave. There’s an often unsaid fellowship amongst the true fans in those crowds that we shouldn’t take for granted, something beyond speaking the same language or living in the same country. I saw the woman at the side of me in a sort of daze at what she had witnessed, something I felt too, but then she looked towards me, put a hand on my shoulder and smiled. Never forget we share this. Never forget how lucky we are.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks Kate!</div><p><br /></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-60715184687234103962023-08-08T13:58:00.001+01:002023-08-08T13:58:18.833+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, PUSKAS ARENA, BUDAPEST, 28 JULY 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-RIo6SpGdtxASyKDgbjSsHWC8VEm_le7V3pZeOkF7wAxp1N3AofJQ8xZxap18qF6Ze0A4X10rkjIVKMr_dXwK4XgaYjUz7m_l_XBluLlru7giFf82E1-AWdAUsG8D1x3KicDkcWzuf8BMx1fovaRLO2MmJVjKoAfeDLzRVRN_auEoLYch6EwhbSQRWw/s2048/Chris%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-RIo6SpGdtxASyKDgbjSsHWC8VEm_le7V3pZeOkF7wAxp1N3AofJQ8xZxap18qF6Ze0A4X10rkjIVKMr_dXwK4XgaYjUz7m_l_XBluLlru7giFf82E1-AWdAUsG8D1x3KicDkcWzuf8BMx1fovaRLO2MmJVjKoAfeDLzRVRN_auEoLYch6EwhbSQRWw/w400-h300/Chris%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Blog friend, Halo contributor and fellow Liverpool FC fan (a man of great taste in all respects in other words) Chris Snoddon returns to reviewing duties for the first time on this tour. I've already spent a good bit of time with Chris in Dublin this year and can only imagine the good time he, Scott, Stevie and the gang had in Budapest. They hopefully left some beer for everyone else. Thanks for this great review Chris. All pictures belong to Chris unless otherwise stated.</i></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFT0nb8iCM113y7x-UPVpB795CEn-K3M9eVlOzSKFEosKESsx9gV8xU327soJX6WAtuMB4CQL6IHlD_GaiiUjZGKpU0CLN7C9w_L3Y69botf2RgJ_36NPnXnUfoIRWg5zhqg1aKAoVtGWyiIidwryFCki_Esq-xl0qrCoH63_6f-vadmLmwkMJ9AlH8s/s1284/bud%20post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1284" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFT0nb8iCM113y7x-UPVpB795CEn-K3M9eVlOzSKFEosKESsx9gV8xU327soJX6WAtuMB4CQL6IHlD_GaiiUjZGKpU0CLN7C9w_L3Y69botf2RgJ_36NPnXnUfoIRWg5zhqg1aKAoVtGWyiIidwryFCki_Esq-xl0qrCoH63_6f-vadmLmwkMJ9AlH8s/w400-h359/bud%20post.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to @Ultra_Depeche</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was decided after travelling to Rome, Krakow and Berlin during the Global Spirit Tour, a new European city was to be pencilled in for the Memento Mori Tour and Budapest was one I'd always wanted to visit. This gave me the perfect opportunity. I'd been fortunate enough to catch night one in Amsterdam with Stevie and Scott my trusted concert buddies with Dublin and Twickenham following, so I'd managed to catch the show in both indoor and outdoor settings. My main gripe over the years with DM's stadium performances was that the stage set was never big enough for these monstrous venues and was always more suited to the indoor ones and again in my opinion this was the case. The stadium shows always started in daylight as well which never really gave you the full effect of the lights etc but this show was the exception for me. Duskfell pretty early and the compact stadium kept the light out really well which made for a tremendous spectacle.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomCbdFgjWlGmQlsMoMN0BF8Op0yQLaCTQ56eBuaoPzlIpe3aPRCl7uurWjPlc-Yi9ukJ3Wz1PfB9yNTF3jKRqdJAAps_HwKmANcy5MNuf72lt5EquvJQZ0FtTb8mhtd6TVkp8DwWcb0r23fS-XuxbURfT00bn5k_6c1WFLwFRB-A20GZ3_le46H91NqI/s2048/chris%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomCbdFgjWlGmQlsMoMN0BF8Op0yQLaCTQ56eBuaoPzlIpe3aPRCl7uurWjPlc-Yi9ukJ3Wz1PfB9yNTF3jKRqdJAAps_HwKmANcy5MNuf72lt5EquvJQZ0FtTb8mhtd6TVkp8DwWcb0r23fS-XuxbURfT00bn5k_6c1WFLwFRB-A20GZ3_le46H91NqI/w400-h300/chris%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chris (left)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We all busied ourselves during the day with the usual tourist attractions and then decided that we would hook up with fellow Home board member Aidan, his lovely wife Debbie and son Jake at 101Klub, a DM themed bar on Rakocki ut. A few beers later and it was off to the stadium. It was pretty easy getting into the venue and very relaxed indeed and once in everyone on the field seemed to be in a real party mood, chatting away and being really courteous when passing by with no pushing in front or being obnoxious. We got drinks really easily and made our way towards the front just as it started to get dark and the pulsing beat of the Intro and <i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i> started. The vibrant blue lights lit up the stage and Dave came on to a huge cheer from the audience. The band who have really improved show on show sounded really tight and this was confirmed during W<i>agging Tongue</i>, a song which I have now grown to love. The show really started to kick off when <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> and <i>It's No Good</i> were played with the audience around us going mad with enjoyment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1Mt2D6M2vACjgoBwGkO9n4kxoTV0nNXmdbTzF-_fksvhTkRhWHkxTjZFDNgounYDP2Dt7VLiaQqPAEQ3ftixtG6AJw85HX5l77o64Z_5vOT9PMePT4CATtNXOnYP_CdkMGpjO462eZucYWuAB1jBVFosdJbMZHR9NvN_uWte5JEckXcejiUv4h6yhv4/s1024/bud%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1Mt2D6M2vACjgoBwGkO9n4kxoTV0nNXmdbTzF-_fksvhTkRhWHkxTjZFDNgounYDP2Dt7VLiaQqPAEQ3ftixtG6AJw85HX5l77o64Z_5vOT9PMePT4CATtNXOnYP_CdkMGpjO462eZucYWuAB1jBVFosdJbMZHR9NvN_uWte5JEckXcejiUv4h6yhv4/w400-h266/bud%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The usual track list followed, all met with great enthusiasm by the crowd, especially during the momentous <i>Everything Counts</i>. <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> was preferred over <i>Speak to Me</i> for this show then it was Martin up with <i>A Question Of Lust </i>before giving a beautiful rendition of <i>Strangelove</i> for only the second time this tour. Dave then returned with a solid performance of <i>Ghosts Again</i> and the set list continued on until the majestic <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> finished the show. By this stage the crowd were at fever pitch when the boys returned with <i>Condemnation</i> for the first track of the encore. For me, it is not as good <i>Waiting For The Night</i> but this was the first I'd seen it over this tour so was a welcome change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFVJ1oUu0BgZjaFTvk2yq-kzbl0onxkWVnTQ7udJ8xT9gqOVn-oVyQW0ujnjNK8Au9CrZBPfzHvNrwb22n6OX1eQmyh6M4gS85045uXJ1vndDsNYjIa7GWrPVtUjsn7k-bPf_Ut7hHNfAq-1KtfbQg6OBpI9k4WJif11t1NBUExDrJXsx1k3VI-JjS0E/s2040/bUD%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="2040" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFVJ1oUu0BgZjaFTvk2yq-kzbl0onxkWVnTQ7udJ8xT9gqOVn-oVyQW0ujnjNK8Au9CrZBPfzHvNrwb22n6OX1eQmyh6M4gS85045uXJ1vndDsNYjIa7GWrPVtUjsn7k-bPf_Ut7hHNfAq-1KtfbQg6OBpI9k4WJif11t1NBUExDrJXsx1k3VI-JjS0E/w400-h185/bUD%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Just Can't Get Enough</i> followed which finished with Dave throwing in a rather horrific Freddie Mercury impression to my horror (I hate Queen) and then the show finished with the as usual triumphant duo of <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal Jesus</i>. Getting out of the venue and back into town was easy enough and we then spent the rest of the night with Aidan and family having a few more liquid jollies and discussing how great the show was and that the crowd was really enthusiastic and loud.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">Of the three shows id caught so far this tour, Budapest has been the stand out for me with the mixture of band performance and crowd enthusiasm making it a really enjoyable night. The Stadium was compact and managed well and id definitely pencil it in for another visit in the future. Roll on the fourth leg in the new year for another excursion DM or two.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">=========================================================================</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks Chris</div><br /><br />DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-78381887438174002672023-08-02T19:40:00.006+01:002023-08-02T20:08:46.651+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, ARENA ZAGREB, ZAGREB, 23 JULY 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT1-apVZiLdYKuxLhqp59BjjOLldtpn1n5LDafhANAorgNuV315p7kdAHnQqiknwJVlB1Ui2Opv7mtPj94rSFP88fu07OLslVaMG3AeIgldMhqrkZLE9DM4nAoV7kqsaZydmkF1Lyz9vsRPUjPZA1K9wxtOZPXn372xMpvv_T3XW213rd1xdY5dbW8sI/s640/IMG_2034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT1-apVZiLdYKuxLhqp59BjjOLldtpn1n5LDafhANAorgNuV315p7kdAHnQqiknwJVlB1Ui2Opv7mtPj94rSFP88fu07OLslVaMG3AeIgldMhqrkZLE9DM4nAoV7kqsaZydmkF1Lyz9vsRPUjPZA1K9wxtOZPXn372xMpvv_T3XW213rd1xdY5dbW8sI/w400-h300/IMG_2034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>This review has been written by Paul Jeffrey. I was delighted when Paul asked to review one of the gigs as I knew we'd get a great review and, as you'll see, this one is a cracker. As we will see, Paul had been unable to see any of this tour so far for very sad reasons, so Zagreb was his first show, He picked a decent night to be there too - possibly the biggest birthday party on the planet that day. Happy birthday Martin and thank you Paul. All pics are by Helen Jeffrey so don't steal them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxtiJQiqzdp5GlnmweV7TCjeSeGALoD_D-cGDvDYLRNNN0P7AevGZrjvRlzZ_r6ew5lp7jQi2a976_pS809wWz2FhBdu1XVWTbf0fvpDNiiWHdPFwtZ5Qp_DQ5Zyi1r6hpXvXluTHYq5RZrzADgEDV3l7BsruWvrHuisgaR_VuruA0FE5ca5hfqDTy78/s640/IMG_2007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxtiJQiqzdp5GlnmweV7TCjeSeGALoD_D-cGDvDYLRNNN0P7AevGZrjvRlzZ_r6ew5lp7jQi2a976_pS809wWz2FhBdu1XVWTbf0fvpDNiiWHdPFwtZ5Qp_DQ5Zyi1r6hpXvXluTHYq5RZrzADgEDV3l7BsruWvrHuisgaR_VuruA0FE5ca5hfqDTy78/w400-h300/IMG_2007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The phrase “soundtrack of my life” is a somewhat trite and clunky phrase, but for many of the people reading this, that is exactly what Depeche have become. I first discovered the boys from Basildon aged seven, when I was advised by the lad behind the counter in Woolworths Washington to put down the 7” single I’d selected to purchase with my weekly pocket money; “don’t get that, buy this, it’s really good” will forever be in my head, those few words changed everything for me…that single was <i>New Life</i>. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Roll forward many decades to a chap who is approaching a half century of birthdays, and the mighty Mode have indeed soundtracked my highest highs and lowest lows; it’s why Martin will very rarely give a definitive explanation about anything he’s written, it allows the song to become personal to the listener, they shapeshift, they mutate, meanings change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was chatting with a very good friend recently about the current tour, and unlike any other DM tour that I can recall, life really does seem to have caught up with a lot of fans. It’s an age thing I suppose, but it appears that hardcore Devotees have been cancelling booked shows, selling tickets, making other plans as the responsibilities of middle age bite, and I should know, I’m one of those fans. Antwerp, London cancelled, On the day I should have been in Paris, my mother passed away, her funeral was on the day of the first Berlin gig. Momento Mori indeed. It was against this backdrop that we boarded the plane to Zagreb for our first show of the tour. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BDE7ufMBF0bnyEpIkOuK9Ps3Lal-0PDdgmGlDxDIe9esdAVN3HFsFl5Ie68EIqbxH96-LPSi_bAndKKQpQBfWJ4DMIKiAlgTsoDgKcVt_iWHZpak2iCyFoPX0JEgbnOV4wTYvnmPJCYwr0Y0ABb_KTZXdNeaOXYQ0lSwdnhEPZh4YtiGrLyuIndLYkI/s640/IMG_1979.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BDE7ufMBF0bnyEpIkOuK9Ps3Lal-0PDdgmGlDxDIe9esdAVN3HFsFl5Ie68EIqbxH96-LPSi_bAndKKQpQBfWJ4DMIKiAlgTsoDgKcVt_iWHZpak2iCyFoPX0JEgbnOV4wTYvnmPJCYwr0Y0ABb_KTZXdNeaOXYQ0lSwdnhEPZh4YtiGrLyuIndLYkI/w400-h300/IMG_1979.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first thing you notice about Zagreb is just how quiet it is. People speak in hushed tones, traffic noise is minimal, even the trams appear to be making an effort to keep it down. The second is the architecture, beautiful old buildings battered and bruised by a combination of war and earthquakes mix with stunning modernist constructions, and did I mention the heat? Absolutely sweltering.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love the anticipation of show day. Whilst I knew most of the set list from various blogs and reports from friends, I’d managed to avoid any video footage of the tour - no mean feat – so I was genuinely excited to see how DM would present the new tour. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before heading across to the arena we grabbed a spot of lunch and bumped into fellow Devotee Tim Adams and his lovely wife Elle. Sitting outside nattering away about their summer adventures following DM around I noticed a curly haired chap walk past me,” <i>Peter</i>”, I shouted without a thought about what next, the aforementioned chap turned around and it was indeed Mr Peter Gordeno, looking very warm in a denim shirt – did I mention it was hot? – we all waved, exchanged pleasantries and he was off, it was a good omen for the evenings show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The venue – Arena Zagreb – is one of the smaller capacities (18,600) on this leg of the tour. Situated a few miles from the city centre, its impressive concrete porcupine-esque spines dominate the landscape as you approach. As we emerged from the cab, bars outside the venue were pumping out DM to the black swarm. The vibe was good, it already felt like it was going to be a special one. After a quick drink to cool down we headed inside. We had tickets for the golden circle, and whilst me and my wife are not ones for getting down the front, the section felt almost intimate. Standing against the rear barrier that divides the sections we were maybe 60 feet from the walkway…game on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopOMUM2fahUYWrxKuq4GZDSua09lv90uARWS9cTxMHdwkTL_jV_AUq2G-jaLG6NtIw3lpVOpApUCmpCtU3-3PhiKrzqJwa7vVHpdgwnkL7iyfLHcIAl66ASy74RTO5KzvAVATZ5DF-twbb9zACupTuz8pEcf_gCfitYglqgrtCLsXF4LtyFBA4iWRwns/s640/IMG_1995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopOMUM2fahUYWrxKuq4GZDSua09lv90uARWS9cTxMHdwkTL_jV_AUq2G-jaLG6NtIw3lpVOpApUCmpCtU3-3PhiKrzqJwa7vVHpdgwnkL7iyfLHcIAl66ASy74RTO5KzvAVATZ5DF-twbb9zACupTuz8pEcf_gCfitYglqgrtCLsXF4LtyFBA4iWRwns/w400-h300/IMG_1995.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been banging on about Haelos (pronounced HALOS) for quite a while now to anyone who would listen, so I was over the mood to find out they were supporting. In theory, a DM support is a wonderful thing for a relatively new band, but, in reality, it can be a daunting and occasionally harrowing prospect – just ask Billie Ray Martin or Miranda Sex Garden – however, I’m happy to report that Haelos absolutely smashed it. Their setlist; heavily weighted with tracks from their <i>Full Circle</i> and <i>Any Random Kindness</i> records, filled the space beautifully, some bands just sound great in a big arena, Haelos are one of those. Front women Lotti is mesmerising, they left the stage with a bow and large applause. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the pre-show MLG electronica mix tape increases in volume, the arena crackles, awaiting the arrival of DM, and then mood shift, the lights blacken, the outro of <i>Speak To Me </i>pounds the scorching venue walls, and through dry ice and red search lights emerges Martin, Peter, Christian and finally Dave, the audience raise their hands to the sky as the bass heavy <i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i> envelops Zagreb, <i>Wagging Tongue</i> follows, I’d heard good reports about the live <i>Momento Mori</i> tracks and they weren’t wrong, they sound simply immense, which makes it even more baffling that they’re not playing that much of the new record live. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uh4N7jHWD08MvRQeprJknN5p6_gF-mUGrkEXv6ypOB46IUZcyEmIK6TH2Vj206720-wxRc8kFDxvlRIbxr98GINBGpu1I_hBfabCEnToZY28ttBUZpf4IvWFSJW3qeqgxTJGDDijSUoa0GPokhH-bgJzxf2Cn1bY6u9oM67hxWkGHokeOyiAA4_41kw/s640/IMG_2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uh4N7jHWD08MvRQeprJknN5p6_gF-mUGrkEXv6ypOB46IUZcyEmIK6TH2Vj206720-wxRc8kFDxvlRIbxr98GINBGpu1I_hBfabCEnToZY28ttBUZpf4IvWFSJW3qeqgxTJGDDijSUoa0GPokhH-bgJzxf2Cn1bY6u9oM67hxWkGHokeOyiAA4_41kw/w300-h400/IMG_2012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whilst a couple of big hitters dropped in early on – <i>Walking In My Shoes </i>and <i>It’s No Good </i>– have the sold-out crowd well and truly on their feet and throwing some serious shapes, it’s the addition of <i>Sister Of Night</i> that I’m most delighted to hear. Sounding both exquisite and ferocious in equal amounts, the music wraps around Dave and Martin’s crystal-clear note perfect harmonies to stunning effect. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I really do adore nearly everything DM have released over the years, and I’m probably in the minority who genuinely loves the last four albums – <i>Momento Mori</i> is particularly wonderful. Saying that, it’s always great to hear a proper oldie in the set – as long as it’s not <i>Just Can't Get Enough</i> more on that later – and frankly, <i>Everything Counts</i> nearly takes the roof off…but there’s a problem, for me at least. The Michael Jackson yelp, the “<i>Take It Boys</i>” before the instrumental section, it’s EXACTLY the same as every night on both the Global Spirit and Memento Mori tours, don’t get me wrong, it sounds amazing, and they do give it their all, but there’s a slight whiff of almost predictable about it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I mentioned earlier about songs becoming personal to the listener, and with <i>Precious</i>, that’s certainly the case. Hearing it three weeks after I said goodbye to my mother, I simply burst into tears for the whole song. It was heart-wrenching – the lines “<i>Angels with silver wings shouldn’t know suffering, I wish I could take the pain for you</i>” had me doubled over, weeping uncontrollably, something I’ll never forget. It may be a while before I can listen to it again without a reaction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a grungy and glorious <i>My Favourite Stranger</i>, Martin steps up to slam through wonderful renditions of <i>Home </i>and <i>Strangelove</i>, complete with mass singalong. DM MUSTmhear the reaction that this gets and it’s mystifying that a full band version isn’t at least dropped in occasionally. As the last notes fade out to utterly rapturous applause, Dave and Christian appear from the side of the stage with massive grins across their faces, pushing a trolley bedecked with balloons and sparklers and holding a massive birthday cake…it’s Martin’s 62nd birthday, he gets big hugs from the band, the crowd sing Happy Birthday, it was one of those really rare “I Was There” moments. Just lovely. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm6KDSmS_BhoWths8deTfzHoU9cFf9maGMffgyDvyKJ6n2TF8rd2DAE2iaA1sZfFUZXvDGVFvm-nb6ZbQCY6wX1thVpBj9-E-6qui1widUU-cOaf4zoYcrKvd0_ZJoYpTYgXINSYYy5auaPEKktuMRQsSaR4Neo0jYG6uPCR7ItuZodG0knTRZkbjgo8/s640/IMG_2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm6KDSmS_BhoWths8deTfzHoU9cFf9maGMffgyDvyKJ6n2TF8rd2DAE2iaA1sZfFUZXvDGVFvm-nb6ZbQCY6wX1thVpBj9-E-6qui1widUU-cOaf4zoYcrKvd0_ZJoYpTYgXINSYYy5auaPEKktuMRQsSaR4Neo0jYG6uPCR7ItuZodG0knTRZkbjgo8/w400-h300/IMG_2021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the set is incredible; <i>Ghosts Again</i> already sounding like a bonefide DM classic, <i>I Feel You</i>, <i>A Pain That I’m Used To</i>, followed by an emotional <i>World In My Eyes</i>, a brutal and brilliant <i>Wrong</i>, a dark and brooding <i>Stripped</i>, and an ecstatic final salvo of <i>John The Revelator</i> and <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> all proving once again how wonderful a band DM are. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By this point the crowd are off the hook, the security give up and join in, the folk from the first few rows of seats join the standing, we take up their seats, now this is fun? Oh yes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The encore commences with a beautifully delicate <i>Condemnation</i>, Dave and Mart with arms around each other on the tip of the runway, singing their collective hearts out. It’s spine tinglingly brilliant and another highlight in an already fantastic gig…and then it happens, <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i>. I’ve seen DM around 50 times and with the exception of <i>Black Celebration</i> and <i>Music For The Masses</i>, I haven’t seen them perform this song. I always use it as my get a drink, go to the toilet moment. With every tour it sounds increasingly twee, like they’re crowbarring it into the set. For me, it interrupts the flow. Dropping in something like <i>Master And Servant</i>, <i>Something To Do</i>, <i>Shake The Disease</i>, <i>Photographic</i>, <i>Policy Of Truth</i>, or in fact nearly anything else, would work better. There had been rumours that they’d worked up <i>The Sun And The Rainfall </i>and <i>Lie to Me,</i> I mean, can you imagine? I’d possibly self-combust. They finish with the now familiar final two of <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal Jesus,</i> both sound frankly phenomenal, and then they’re gone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The band are on fire at the minute, and going off the temperature inside the arena, I thought they may need the fire brigade…with the exception of the second night of Walbuhne on the last tour, it was the hottest DM gig I’ve been too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only slight let down was the production of the show. It really does look like it’s taken Anton five minutes on the back of a napkin which is a shame as the performance of the band was out of this world. That gripe aside, the performance was simply incendiary. Thank you, Zagreb. It’s been emotional.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you Paul!</div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-32842425075733545442023-07-31T07:31:00.001+01:002023-07-31T10:32:04.741+01:00DEPECHE MODE, CRYSTAL PALACE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE, JULY 31 1993<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8xd9RIruCaHg8XdhkA1w6ZCc_Pz6jCjXrJGYg-crzcvNfPG_l6XVw6rhGpk0LYwIZ2C9_JNjYmLreAsWl-O52EgCus9sGsefUlI0-FqohS5hC6O19qkkgx1rDoucqTklWVaxR9bfNau72SVuXUyO8YLqev238F9uDZVQ4QB8oklabCdkqIqX8vOEmEk/s4032/IMG_2251.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8xd9RIruCaHg8XdhkA1w6ZCc_Pz6jCjXrJGYg-crzcvNfPG_l6XVw6rhGpk0LYwIZ2C9_JNjYmLreAsWl-O52EgCus9sGsefUlI0-FqohS5hC6O19qkkgx1rDoucqTklWVaxR9bfNau72SVuXUyO8YLqev238F9uDZVQ4QB8oklabCdkqIqX8vOEmEk/w300-h400/IMG_2251.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today is the 30th anniversary of the first time I saw Depeche Mode live. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'd become a Depeche Mode fan upon hearing <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> and, since I heard it, had been obsessed with them. I didn't get the chance to see World Violation due to a combination of exams and Depeche forgetting Scotland existed from 1986 to 2009 so, once that tour ended, I wasn't thinking of seeing them live. Instead I spent a lot of time focussed on devouring their back catalogue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I went from Castle Douglas to Aberdeen in 1993 and, when Melody Maker announced a new tour and album (I still remember (a) the report that they were to play 180 dates and (b) boring everyone I knew with this), I knew my time had come. I would finally see Depeche Mode live.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm writing this as the band tour <i>Memento Mori</i> and last night played in Prague. I know this, not only because I am odd that way, but because a world tour these days involves live relays of gigs, photos and videos appearing online and a huge internet ticket scrum whenever tickets go on sale. In 1993, you either queued at a record shop or ticket outlet or did as I did - ask your Dad to write a cheque for the ticket, send it off and patiently await the return envelope with the hallowed piece of paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The ticket duly arrived in Castle Douglas and during my next call home from Aberdeen, the news was broken to me. It was happening. I was going to see Depeche Mode. If you are reading this, the chances are that you even you get exasperated with the seemingly endless stream of "content" I generate. All I can say is, none of that compares to the amount I spoke about the ticket news to anyone who would or wouldn't listen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpOyWqbhAHwdI9t9DSMdRD32Y_X79-5Wsg8Q_Tj15zTMo5oCUE6P2K6GHI7ihi-5rtpuWZIyldAIQonKKY04X3M0DnJx0gH313fFVAm8m4sCcOT2PfJZ4hihVjyiU6tOnwehE7UYvPs86KHzcls80CW5K9m_9j-XYEnsF5lGVDuEj29BZ4nAZs8qdZA/s4032/IMG_2252.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpOyWqbhAHwdI9t9DSMdRD32Y_X79-5Wsg8Q_Tj15zTMo5oCUE6P2K6GHI7ihi-5rtpuWZIyldAIQonKKY04X3M0DnJx0gH313fFVAm8m4sCcOT2PfJZ4hihVjyiU6tOnwehE7UYvPs86KHzcls80CW5K9m_9j-XYEnsF5lGVDuEj29BZ4nAZs8qdZA/w300-h400/IMG_2252.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In those days, you actually got tickets. This one came in its own <i>Songs Of Faith And Devotion</i> card envelope (see above). I've placed these on the Devotional concert programme cover by the way - they're not stuck on it in case people are currently screaming at this post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dlR5un6ZovIhPl5Nw84QEkcdMxtO_UE4gQc71ApC6PTEKtzQMdGWryV18aKTiog-trS_cLZ319hHn_AJ9TpBTRqi1Jgv3MirEI5yfbJI8V6hO0v8n25n8yAfScQcB4zfUbcSyV0ZoIyBzO5iBXvAARGqsSQ-XF6j5tNsO0WZ6uFC_Nk0AKxAfmPMwdI/s4032/IMG_2253.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dlR5un6ZovIhPl5Nw84QEkcdMxtO_UE4gQc71ApC6PTEKtzQMdGWryV18aKTiog-trS_cLZ319hHn_AJ9TpBTRqi1Jgv3MirEI5yfbJI8V6hO0v8n25n8yAfScQcB4zfUbcSyV0ZoIyBzO5iBXvAARGqsSQ-XF6j5tNsO0WZ6uFC_Nk0AKxAfmPMwdI/w300-h400/IMG_2253.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The ticket itself features a classic Devotional era picture of the band with Martin staring off into the distance. One thing to note about the ticket is the price - £18.50. Compare that to the price of the tickets for the current tour - my word. £18.50!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Once the ticket was in hand, one problem arose - how was I going to get to London on my own and where would I stay? At the time, I was a hugely shy, worldly unwise chap so I was not going to sleep in a railway station as many people ended up doing. Happily, Alex Small, one of the students in my halls (hi Alex), lived near enough to the stadium and his parents generously put me up. What they must have thought of a mumbling Scottish boy, dressed in black and acting oddly because he was off to see DM I dread to think. They were so kind though and even gave me lunch on the Sunday before I got the train back up the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb16NHOJPfY5D_X8TgM0oGWH6AuVSEz_B1wYGYh93ALerp0XPoP9IaOZJWF97iCduE2GtYRsPQfxGOqLVTqlw3hi7kESDHtm1-1emavra6X7ixzCTjIaJmLGpFQIi7ay_GoQ-0mfk9TIz1jhJk1Wo7iXUnjSb_lNb2tP0iYdMQn-zvSj9m3dsQvDA5Do/s3653/IMG_2250.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3653" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb16NHOJPfY5D_X8TgM0oGWH6AuVSEz_B1wYGYh93ALerp0XPoP9IaOZJWF97iCduE2GtYRsPQfxGOqLVTqlw3hi7kESDHtm1-1emavra6X7ixzCTjIaJmLGpFQIi7ay_GoQ-0mfk9TIz1jhJk1Wo7iXUnjSb_lNb2tP0iYdMQn-zvSj9m3dsQvDA5Do/w331-h400/IMG_2250.jpeg" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Having (1) been driven from Castle Douglas to Dumfries station (2) got the train from Dumfries to Carlisle and (3) got the train from Carlisle to London, I headed to Alex's house, chatted to his parents and then made for the stadium. I think Alex's Dad gave me a lift though I can't recall. Once inside, I was immediately terrified. How many people are here and why does everyone seem older than me, more confident and to know exactly what they're doing? London seemed like a mad place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I headed for the merchandise stall and got the goodies you can see above, all of which came in a <i>Songs Of Faith And Devotion</i> bag. The programme was in there too and I seem to recall the whole lot costing about £20 but that can't be right. The new tour dates on the flyer were a pain as there was no Scottish gig. I mentioned that to a group of people standing beside me. they ignored me. To be fair, I would have done too. There was a Mute badge and sticker with the bag too, both with the same bespoke logo on the front of the cassette. The sticker was stuck to a folder and the badge stuck onto a pencil case I used. I have no idea where they are. The t-shirt is cool - Devotional live action on the front and the date of the gig on the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5SYEfEie7EfIuhryWINPkgn-bYDwvC8rGsEkehDXpu35VRCIKIg881hKtsMIiFjZr6itmrHSZMqI_tzsa47sNoLL4518OmCJAfp2B2CAcZqwblsz054CSI8tGPsapurLMK3qWjLpV7IdOlkVdR8qWXWA72Plj1Ejc5UdzGOkgPGyXFRmXsbfaJ4owPk/s4032/IMG_2251.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5SYEfEie7EfIuhryWINPkgn-bYDwvC8rGsEkehDXpu35VRCIKIg881hKtsMIiFjZr6itmrHSZMqI_tzsa47sNoLL4518OmCJAfp2B2CAcZqwblsz054CSI8tGPsapurLMK3qWjLpV7IdOlkVdR8qWXWA72Plj1Ejc5UdzGOkgPGyXFRmXsbfaJ4owPk/w300-h400/IMG_2251.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The support acts were Marxman, Dub Syndicate and Sisters Of Mercy. I was only familiar with the Sisters so was quite pleased when I could get fairly far forward on the pitch to see their set. As it ended, I saw a boy who lived in my street in Castle Douglas. Unusually, his hair was all backcombed. I went to say hello and he blanked me as I clearly wasn't cool enough. I'd actually forgotten about this until I started writing this bit. Hello Richard if you're reading - you really should have stuck around for the main act or "puppet show" as Andrew Eldritch elegantly put it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The standing area started to fill up with the confident people I mentioned earlier after Sisters ended, so I walked back a bit, passing a Sisters fan in full wedding dress which was quite a sight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">What of the Depeche gig itself? I don't really a great deal sadly. Not because I was drinking - strictly water all day for me then - but because it was all a blur. I remember <i>Higher Love</i> and the thunder and lightning start; <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> and the video screens;<i> Stripped</i> because, well, it's <i>Stripped</i> and <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> which nearly made my brain explode. Here it was - <i>that</i> song and <i>that</i> band were playing it live right in front of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I waited right until the end the headed back to Mr and Mrs Small's place. Not that they wanted me to I imagine, but I filled them in the next day, had lunch and then headed back to the station to repeat the journey of the day before in reverse. My head was the clouds for days afterwards. In many ways, it's never quite fully removed itself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'd seen Depeche Mode live. That was a very good thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You know the rest.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-12135513661014231752023-07-24T08:35:00.000+01:002023-07-24T08:35:01.339+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, STADIO OLIMPICO, ROME 12 JULY 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOxLFwEYGov1v6KvB5OOdZ1rbm2fu103YNpmgO-V7Vo2wTlLLOfwst5rSdGtRby2r3x5R5m-Sy4Qb8JPMUMUphH9JjpjItwJSDZ3p3E9bNY92A8C9ThKkBizrhIDrdlai69a9nc-ZU8FONqJlzDAwVPOHaWETQXsv736OZytimhsbaaokpHLy0BQGlXM/s2016/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOxLFwEYGov1v6KvB5OOdZ1rbm2fu103YNpmgO-V7Vo2wTlLLOfwst5rSdGtRby2r3x5R5m-Sy4Qb8JPMUMUphH9JjpjItwJSDZ3p3E9bNY92A8C9ThKkBizrhIDrdlai69a9nc-ZU8FONqJlzDAwVPOHaWETQXsv736OZytimhsbaaokpHLy0BQGlXM/w400-h300/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Matt Cullingworth enjoyed reviewing gigs for the 2017/18 blog project so much that he has come back for more. Here is his excellent review of what sounded like a sweltering Rome gig. Pics are Matt's and Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group's so be nice and credit them if/when you nick them. Thanks Matt. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF17q7St9dG2liFZGjUMRbJh9PDIXbyQVlW2tW6YojYfarHDQkm1KkRPqNPthn5toAsbQIbGh6cJ9Bk_Pm7o2z65t_pJ1kxp7yMVb32shdOcQyBvF5QM3Ls1d7dZbc0rHPqbyWyZ5OJDrxrqtI0pGQQMBJJZK1cNU8Oxobm7jAyRj-4TdjOcGIHZcWys/s960/Roma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="960" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF17q7St9dG2liFZGjUMRbJh9PDIXbyQVlW2tW6YojYfarHDQkm1KkRPqNPthn5toAsbQIbGh6cJ9Bk_Pm7o2z65t_pJ1kxp7yMVb32shdOcQyBvF5QM3Ls1d7dZbc0rHPqbyWyZ5OJDrxrqtI0pGQQMBJJZK1cNU8Oxobm7jAyRj-4TdjOcGIHZcWys/w400-h381/Roma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It seems customary for those of us with long suffering partners that when Mode tour the only way we can get them along to a gig is if there’s some kind of mini break abroad involved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was certainly the case for me when my wife saw the tour dates and pin pointed Rome as our European outdoor gig this time around. We weren’t the only ones by the looks of things either. As we toured the sights in the morning and visited the Colloseum we bumped into another couple who were doing the same (albeit on a larger scale around Europe). If you happen to read this, it was lovely meeting you both. We did look out for the Basildon flag but couldn’t see it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The record for my hottest DM gig ever was previously held by either Prague back on The Delta Machine tour or the penultimate night of the Global Spirit tour in Berlin. This was equally sweltering and limited our beer intake significantly (when did we get so old and sensible ??)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ-Lb1gMnIkum-3-xQg_mJ4aLbXi5mQj09lOrjNiEnm7WSk6ySTKhzB_dCnv5e9Obxi_F5H-xYvTHAYM247y4YcJnAe7F6ZA17d0uGWMNIUyC7ygkKCb5hMapGVj4b_C4qc-5BpjTG8AmW4YYjWTiaz13QKq5EewLp8F5ZDgqnfHtPiIxED2Bz09jjk8/s2016/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ-Lb1gMnIkum-3-xQg_mJ4aLbXi5mQj09lOrjNiEnm7WSk6ySTKhzB_dCnv5e9Obxi_F5H-xYvTHAYM247y4YcJnAe7F6ZA17d0uGWMNIUyC7ygkKCb5hMapGVj4b_C4qc-5BpjTG8AmW4YYjWTiaz13QKq5EewLp8F5ZDgqnfHtPiIxED2Bz09jjk8/w300-h400/image0.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the dry ice started to swirl just before 9pm it must have still been well over 30 degrees. “<i>There’s no way Dave is going to wear a jacket in this weather</i>” commented my wife. How wrong she was. As the opening samples of <i>My Cosmos Is Min</i>e rang out across the stadium, out our favourite frontman came - in a full 3 piece suit. Fair play Dave, the jacket lasted the full song before it was carefully passed over to one of the road crew and we launched into <i>Wagging Tongue.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know a few people have been a little non plussed with the <i>Memento Mori</i> songs in the set list. In my opinion they fit pretty seamlessly alongside the classics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Walking In My Shoes</i> sets off a breathless run of massive songs. We get to <i>Sister Of Night</i> which means we’re getting set list B and a few different tracks to what I heard at Twickenham. Phew. That’s my only criticism. I wish they’d mix the set list up a bit more - <i>Blasphemous Rumours</i> would fit like a glove in here somewhere for example (as would <i>Lie To Me</i>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we get to the end of <i>Speak To Me</i> which Dave completely nails (as he does with his vocals all night) thoughts turn to what Martin songs we might get. After all <i>Strangelove</i> made its tour debut a few nights before. However, no changes for us, which sounds very ungrateful when Mart sings both <i>A Question Of Lust </i>and<i> Soul With Me</i> so beautifully.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyFnukwOrWFzL0040u4YioIeFo72nIAp1UhjVyo9XHKml7cTcWI_G1uTpN8dzo-_l5dZGwsAM05Z_in7o835jtScrIcXZ-J1I3BrqvLr-hIJEHlpxD52KdEMW0IfmKGpVg0lu02pr236dGD8-MhPIlsz4F2M9bRubhCPUmvqm5le1pISTJYzJh1d-Inw/s1080/MLG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyFnukwOrWFzL0040u4YioIeFo72nIAp1UhjVyo9XHKml7cTcWI_G1uTpN8dzo-_l5dZGwsAM05Z_in7o835jtScrIcXZ-J1I3BrqvLr-hIJEHlpxD52KdEMW0IfmKGpVg0lu02pr236dGD8-MhPIlsz4F2M9bRubhCPUmvqm5le1pISTJYzJh1d-Inw/w400-h320/MLG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pic courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We’re getting into the home stretch of the main set now which kicks off with <i>Ghosts Again</i>. Let’s face it this already feels like a DM classic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A reinvigorated <i>I Feel You</i> and the quite frankly droppable <i>A Pain That I’m Used</i> to take us to the emotional high point of the evening. <i>World In My Eyes </i>is already one of my favourite DM songs anyway but the backdrop of the sadly departed and much missed Andy Fletcher makes it even more poignant. Having been caught off guard by the gut punch it was going to deliver at Twickenham I was doubly surprised when it hit me hard again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having lost 2 friends earlier in the year unexpectedly, just before <i>Memento Mori</i> was released, the massive screens are a very visual reminder of the fragility of life and that we must make the most of our allotted time. I’ll drink to that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tears wiped away, it’s back to jumping around like a lunatic. <i>Wrong, Stripped, John The Revelator</i> and the best song ever written, <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>, take us to the end of the main set.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljKapnnoLJJVN4RB4lFi-CZe3PNvIAXthGq5iJDLMDn0H1uBnVaBuaJ_FmFjDrUXyIceqgcSDD-tnsD7rGd7__b8mIjMtq3or_tqZJ0DCrAdWIbCu82hhSKxhmg17gMipPvlou3oAYEBqk_CeuEJbM1lmFwYdGSdpttrvQpBULDaxYRVUS85ZDRWRxD0/s1440/DMlive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljKapnnoLJJVN4RB4lFi-CZe3PNvIAXthGq5iJDLMDn0H1uBnVaBuaJ_FmFjDrUXyIceqgcSDD-tnsD7rGd7__b8mIjMtq3or_tqZJ0DCrAdWIbCu82hhSKxhmg17gMipPvlou3oAYEBqk_CeuEJbM1lmFwYdGSdpttrvQpBULDaxYRVUS85ZDRWRxD0/w400-h400/DMlive.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pic courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here’s where my only gripe comes in and it isn’t with the band. Having been lucky enough to secure gold circle tickets I was looking forward to a great view of Mart & Dave at the end of the catwalk. What transpired through the entirety of a beautiful <i>Waiting For The Night</i> was a sea of mobile phones obscuring what was a mesmerising and tender moment. The modern malaise of concert going I guess.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We all know the encore by now - <i>Just Can’t Get Enough, Never Let Me Down Again </i>and <i>Personal Jesus</i> bring the curtain down on an absolutely stunning performance. They really do sound like they’re getting better live which over 40 years into a career is quite something.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a series of blacked out vans with a police escort sped passed us. No doubt containing bedressing gowned members of the Mode, it dawned on us that our journey back to the hotel wouldn’t be quite so easy. An hour and a half and a £60 Uber later we were home for the night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The boys really are on top form this tour. Yes we’d all like to hear some different songs but when they’re smashing it like this it’s hard to argue with the formula. Bring on the winter arenas !!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks Matt!</p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-68647245236949962642023-07-22T12:06:00.004+01:002023-07-24T08:23:06.280+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, STADIO RENATO DALL' ARA, BOLOGNA, 16 JULY 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriPWY58_eZUt8v4E7M4lm3FeGG6mD_y9KrPkR98LDmCB5vBxKvZlJ2a2IoK-KgzJw55Qf_ibRZ02wJO0IJIW9gvHYDWwZxhI2ktTapKQ1GZyP8A2uDs7uQWDXLBEe2hgLE1C6kNv8ZkfqADJBN1YGMvfrV-OtZkTCvTXaVZisplw0TLd8rY1W1ENhCW8/s2048/361937384_937034414034504_6665223529260934080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriPWY58_eZUt8v4E7M4lm3FeGG6mD_y9KrPkR98LDmCB5vBxKvZlJ2a2IoK-KgzJw55Qf_ibRZ02wJO0IJIW9gvHYDWwZxhI2ktTapKQ1GZyP8A2uDs7uQWDXLBEe2hgLE1C6kNv8ZkfqADJBN1YGMvfrV-OtZkTCvTXaVZisplw0TLd8rY1W1ENhCW8/w400-h225/361937384_937034414034504_6665223529260934080_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>When I last ran a tour review thing, Katia Gigliotti was kind enough to review a couple of concerts. Happily, when I announced this one, Katia was keen to help out again so here is her excellent review of the Bologna gig. The return of But Not Tonight makes me very jealous of everyone who was at this concert. Thanks for this great Katia. All photographs are Katia's so do not steal them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz6H_gcyZ47u96i0kmr2-THa-0mS11tfx0k0odHKEFol85aML61iJrJE0VMyH-IgoTi3B_ioWJX9slNSNRkXimK48nfk4YK0glIbG_uvo28vtOtpeAm7jmUZALOQznqV4_sP9qcgVGQ4e7rL8LgZB58T-J_dw1cv8zmDOVTzdWPCocbblFSLN6AsQj3s/s1799/361974265_236334295898594_4112439081846414853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz6H_gcyZ47u96i0kmr2-THa-0mS11tfx0k0odHKEFol85aML61iJrJE0VMyH-IgoTi3B_ioWJX9slNSNRkXimK48nfk4YK0glIbG_uvo28vtOtpeAm7jmUZALOQznqV4_sP9qcgVGQ4e7rL8LgZB58T-J_dw1cv8zmDOVTzdWPCocbblFSLN6AsQj3s/w320-h400/361974265_236334295898594_4112439081846414853_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bologna was the last of the three Memento Mori Italian dates, after Rome and Milan. It was hot hot hot - not only because of the amazing sensuality Dave brings on stage each and every time, but because Cerberus -a hot airwave, taking the name from the mythological Hell's guardian- has come to Bologna, with temperatures up to 38°C.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was harder than ever to queue in the sun without any shade but love leads us to do extreme things, even if I am approaching an age where I should see concerts from the seats. That time has not come yet however, not for Depeche Mode concerts at least. If I wasn't standing, I would lose something: Martin's nail varnish, Dave's looks and gestures, even Christian's rebellious hair. I would certainly miss the expressions of Peter Gordeno, who, like me, you might have noticed is slowly turning into a new Robert Smith.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was in Milan two days before, so I knew exactly what to expect, nevertheless, I was even more eager to see another DM concert. Following a smooth, ethereal performance from Haelos, the concert started with <i>My Cosmos is Mine</i>. It's my favourite one: it is more an introductory atmospheric song, that brings the proper dark mood. The energy of the new album is brought out by <i>Wagging Tongue, </i>which, together with <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> and the first single <i>Ghosts Again</i> are the only tracks played tonight from <i>Memento Mori,</i> despite the tour supporting the album.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZqhkvoIePkLIUULPX1oI_JgVOxxy9K16wrkRF0oGcYGx_2Hvjc7m14i-nK5B_ko96yTLUOxe1lm4Sggl2jGfoiLd5inPfxez5ZKy4HQnHOA-G85yi0X0vJDTlT6TA-HWq6hgAmRWAwwnLjU-uQdPJ2y_Hxb0k4s0Emtf_1-8_OLnQIxN1kCheEuUGqU/s2048/362229465_794667265777277_7536581518419739073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZqhkvoIePkLIUULPX1oI_JgVOxxy9K16wrkRF0oGcYGx_2Hvjc7m14i-nK5B_ko96yTLUOxe1lm4Sggl2jGfoiLd5inPfxez5ZKy4HQnHOA-G85yi0X0vJDTlT6TA-HWq6hgAmRWAwwnLjU-uQdPJ2y_Hxb0k4s0Emtf_1-8_OLnQIxN1kCheEuUGqU/w400-h225/362229465_794667265777277_7536581518419739073_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will not complain however We all know this tour is not a simple promotional tour: it is a celebration of life and death, a non-religious funeral, and a party, because I think Fletch would have loved us to wave our hands up and dance in his memory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will not go into the setlist details, which includes some of the most obvious and expected songs (everybody's favourites), as well as non conventional songs that found their way into the setlist like <i>Sister</i> O<i>f Night</i>, the first lighter-song of the night, and <i>John The Revelator</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even when you think you are listening to the same songs for the millionth time, there is always some detail that surprises and inevitably touches those heartstrings that made me fall in love with this music when I was a little girl. Such details make me sing <i>In Your Room</i> at the top of my lungs, as if I were still in my bedroom and in my adolescence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the concert progresses, there is no time to breathe because <i>Everything Counts</i> demands our best dancing efforts and our attention for the eye-catching visuals. I must say that I did not understand the meaning of the visuals immediately, but they still made me proud of the band I love.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave's voice is so intense and his energy, despite the temperature, sets Dall'Ara on fire. Dave covers the stage, dominating the crowd, sometimes making strange gorilla-like moves and in others, slow and gentle movements of his hands. He sends kisses while Martin smiles, seeming almost surprised by the magic Dave is able to generate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmM0r73_t0LNH6b_OfPogi1albXFl6yqcuYh5z8IXN_k9mff8e7WMxDbva01owINmH7URGbKrnlBLBzaFmmwG_sb7o7tGHLIJMm9NfZA6LqPpMf3O-se53tDTCCMqg5dnTSWMDzWt1dbGDeMLoyh485l6V1r0l5jTMu3n2rT0MGXvKaMD8lz0EoCwFS4/s2048/362209610_1700332627056741_2439992014379759682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmM0r73_t0LNH6b_OfPogi1albXFl6yqcuYh5z8IXN_k9mff8e7WMxDbva01owINmH7URGbKrnlBLBzaFmmwG_sb7o7tGHLIJMm9NfZA6LqPpMf3O-se53tDTCCMqg5dnTSWMDzWt1dbGDeMLoyh485l6V1r0l5jTMu3n2rT0MGXvKaMD8lz0EoCwFS4/w400-h225/362209610_1700332627056741_2439992014379759682_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then Martin's moment arrives: the usual intense <i>Home</i>, with Martin's usual delicate singing, and then, beautifully unpredictable (not at all almost predictable!) <i>But Not Tonight, </i>played live for the first time since 2017. This mid-80s B-side is a gem that highly influenced my musical taste.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Martin stands aside and it is time for King Dave to return to lead the stage. After a superb <i>A Pain That I'm</i> <i> (</i>the Jacques Lu Cont Remix version) , it's time to dedicate <i>World In My Eyes</i> to Andy: this is his tour, even if he is not physically on stage, but it is thanks to him that Depeche Mode still give us magic. I cannot yet believe he is not on stage behind his keyboards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong </i>follows, so incredibly dark and powerful live, moreso than ever before and, after <i>Enjoy The</i> <i>Silence</i>, and the love it brings, it is time for the encore.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1Zq7WabcupcnHpVdkHce5uOIUCl-iz38nXIRdz7N-fMrK2Y_3gTR7iKN1Mp4QYry_u2QvOpqdKKssMJQGrMyu-VknUlSBRf7X4LNoWMhbv5smHzIo7tnouvaX0ePgpdFMol2-I4qZ5vgQnbMTuZ4IDom-HZvXZZIm1mlHb9ccnDlrJDAWrgf882SKAQ/s2048/362182353_6662279397162346_3740042491988286315_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1Zq7WabcupcnHpVdkHce5uOIUCl-iz38nXIRdz7N-fMrK2Y_3gTR7iKN1Mp4QYry_u2QvOpqdKKssMJQGrMyu-VknUlSBRf7X4LNoWMhbv5smHzIo7tnouvaX0ePgpdFMol2-I4qZ5vgQnbMTuZ4IDom-HZvXZZIm1mlHb9ccnDlrJDAWrgf882SKAQ/w400-h225/362182353_6662279397162346_3740042491988286315_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Christian surprisingly joins Peter on keyboards, whilst Dave and Martin walk till the end of the catwalk, in the middle of the stadium. And then something magical happens:<i>Waiting For The Night. </i> The music seems to bring everyone into a galaxy of lights, a cloud of calm and silence. For few minutes, time stops and it is like being suspended in the void, in the light and in the deep atmosphere that only Dave Gahan's voice, perfectly harmonized with Martin's one, is able to create. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I return back to Earth to dance to <i>Just Can't Get Enough</i> a song that, despite its fame, did not find a place in the setlist in many for many years. The concerts finishes, after 2 hours and 15 minutes of tears and smiles, sadness, happiness and infinite joy, with two classics: <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal</i> <i>Jesus</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This concert was phisically tiring, due to extreme weather conditions, and emotionally hard, but old and new friends, sharing the same emotions, turned it into something to treasure, feeding my Depeche Mode addiction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I return home happy, and despite experiencing that after gig melancholy, I am counting the days till next concert.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Will I always be here? Yes!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Setlist 16.07.23</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speak to Me (Outro)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. My Cosmos Is Mine</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Wagging Tongue</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Walking in My Shoes</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. It's No Good</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. Sister of Night</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. In Your Room (Zephyr Mix)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. Everything Counts</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. Precious</div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. My Favourite Stranger</div><div style="text-align: justify;">10. Home</div><div style="text-align: justify;">11. But Not Tonight (First time since 2017)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">12. Ghosts Again</div><div style="text-align: justify;">13. I Feel You</div><div style="text-align: justify;">14. A Pain That I'm Used To (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">15. World in My Eyes (Dedicated to Andrew Fletcher)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">16. Wrong</div><div style="text-align: justify;">17. Stripped</div><div style="text-align: justify;">18. John the Revelator</div><div style="text-align: justify;">19. Enjoy the Silence</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Encore:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">20. Waiting for the Night</div><div style="text-align: justify;">21. Just Can't Get Enough</div><div style="text-align: justify;">22. Never Let Me Down Again</div><div style="text-align: justify;">23. Personal Jesus</div><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Thanks Katia!</i></div><br /><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-45240511371253161692023-07-20T11:00:00.004+01:002023-07-20T11:00:49.011+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, SAN SIRO STADIUM, MILAN, 14 JULY 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBRTbLWBWUoXlQJuPq26IGSKUG6DKH_eqgBmhZL6-AAAVT5FsZP4kNjY0wZzbVHsiHJoP-ZaOWyCQTJL2OJeqCSF_6vJMAP-_u-V8yofOrxBZBxjsUNEJVUiT0s8XmKbipSNQgAMn8dPJ7tOq9S7uL03aXzy-ZhrTE_d1g6HxuyNTO3c6TsmzVtjtMeU/s1080/dg%20OPEN.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBRTbLWBWUoXlQJuPq26IGSKUG6DKH_eqgBmhZL6-AAAVT5FsZP4kNjY0wZzbVHsiHJoP-ZaOWyCQTJL2OJeqCSF_6vJMAP-_u-V8yofOrxBZBxjsUNEJVUiT0s8XmKbipSNQgAMn8dPJ7tOq9S7uL03aXzy-ZhrTE_d1g6HxuyNTO3c6TsmzVtjtMeU/w400-h266/dg%20OPEN.jpg" width="400" /></a><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>He's back again. Blog favourite and everyone's favourite Greek (so he tells me) Panos Sialakas returns with this superb review of Depeche Mode's show at the legendary San Siro on 14th July. I had intended to go to this gig when the tour was announced but couldn't make it. This review helps make up for that - thanks Panos. Thanks to Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group for the pictures. If you are going to use them, credit that group.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></i><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR7ooJvHN6G5AKIgJEr_-qbFslyPJBDEgN8zZe5JzDtHoqZUxwYoE5MZmdEqIkT54dXoO-ytKvK-WxTOuxILOOuC9uS7rwmdfQUyaP0sYm2Gx7KBLnmzBW1ZE-VJQfYr_ozQN3Dov6G7Bwe_jIPXUE9iXluIwJvszFkApVBalSHn2L__GomVcDx7ePNI/s1080/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR7ooJvHN6G5AKIgJEr_-qbFslyPJBDEgN8zZe5JzDtHoqZUxwYoE5MZmdEqIkT54dXoO-ytKvK-WxTOuxILOOuC9uS7rwmdfQUyaP0sYm2Gx7KBLnmzBW1ZE-VJQfYr_ozQN3Dov6G7Bwe_jIPXUE9iXluIwJvszFkApVBalSHn2L__GomVcDx7ePNI/w400-h400/COVER.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been to Italy several times for Depeche Mode: Turin (indoor), Rome (outdoor), Bologna (indoor and outdoor) and of course Milan (indoor and outdoor). Knowing how warm the Italian audience is and the special aesthetics and acoustics that the Stadio San Siro offers, I decided for the third time in a row to visit it for my second Memento Mori show (the first one was exactly <a href="https://popmart101.wordpress.com/2023/06/19/depeche-mode-live-in-dublin-2023/">one month earlier in Dublin</a>).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">I have to admit that I was very excited when I arrived at the Front of Stage section of the San Siro, as I was there with several devotees/friends that I hadn't seen for a long time (fuck you, Covid), and so I knew that I was going to have a great time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">What I did know - the warm atmosphere of Milan - was immediately felt as soon as the intro kicked in.<i> My Cosmos Is Mine</i> and <i>Wagging Tongue</i>, although probably the weakest start in Depeche Mode's live history, set the stage for the essential opening with the intensity of the now classic <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> and the always positive vibe of<i> It's No Good</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Sister Of Night</i>, besides being magnificent, is the true test of Gahan's voice, and in Milan he sang it so beautifully that it became clear that we would be in for an excellent show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Everything Counts</i> is one of the highlights and it's amazing how timeless it sounds 40 years after it was first released (judging by the ticket prices, lol!). The whole stadium was singing and dancing along with Dave as he reached the edge of the sidwalk for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Martin's set (<i>A Question Of Lust </i>and<i> Soul With Me</i>) was a great opportunity for all of us in the pit to see how intense the atmosphere was throughout the stadium and to have an understanding of the dynamics of the acoustics. During <i>Soul With Me</i> in particular, many of us started filming the people in the stands who had turned on their mobile phones by the thousands, creating a beautiful mosaic of light and glowing.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmcp_bk6C-_TuK6Yu31YbsfEg7dUUcsQeqRiTHY_yQdZTvdFEoKy89fYyR5ZG3Lo_vAqI9v85fvCJcURFAdfvqYSZ2n4M0OPuR0EbTuH-MJDiPrjmuT_FfyhBBvFsJ0jhbUswSI6nr0CD0qdBLhfvrrRoQE9w3kSJ8udnQOZbiqdCGXRn3cqHVrlnEm8/s1080/mg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmcp_bk6C-_TuK6Yu31YbsfEg7dUUcsQeqRiTHY_yQdZTvdFEoKy89fYyR5ZG3Lo_vAqI9v85fvCJcURFAdfvqYSZ2n4M0OPuR0EbTuH-MJDiPrjmuT_FfyhBBvFsJ0jhbUswSI6nr0CD0qdBLhfvrrRoQE9w3kSJ8udnQOZbiqdCGXRn3cqHVrlnEm8/w400-h400/mg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second part of the show kicked in with <i>Ghosts Again</i> and the gig really took off. The compact version of <i>I Feel You</i> is probably the best in years. <i>World In My Eyes</i> is the best homage to Andrew Fletcher (we love you Andy!), <i>Wrong</i> is as powerful as it can get (again thanks to Dave's sublime vocals) and <i>Stripped</i> a timeless celebration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">The whole stadium went crazy for <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>, and that's no surprise at any Depeche Mode gig. It's probably the best way to end the main set.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another highlight of the show, and another indication of the amazing atmosphere at the San Siro, was <i>Waiting For The Night</i>, with both men, Dave and Mart, in the corridor singing to each other and to us all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've had enough of <i>Just Can't Get Enough</i>, and so have so many others... so how come we all dance and sing when it's on? Oh well, it's a big party when they play it, and more importantly, it's a song that the vast majority of people enjoy listening to without thinking about the setlist. It was the same in Milan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then the two most famous Depeche Mode live songs, <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal Jesus</i>, came to round off a wonderful evening and a very good show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0MwgQxfx5BljXHb6smZbH8WbXBOZx10-JGdIO3AlrMn_Qjvrpi-AeUfTpwO4tA0TJ3WbwqzgnBvAI3565rkykg_-bKPXtM6dx5aGCoD-_rdYRX67wax-uTHTfIcWohh2honJdxnH9R4In2cjfhZ8C4AJYyuXPJH-et-xXvQB7IpUliACL62VodTIUZA/s1350/dg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0MwgQxfx5BljXHb6smZbH8WbXBOZx10-JGdIO3AlrMn_Qjvrpi-AeUfTpwO4tA0TJ3WbwqzgnBvAI3565rkykg_-bKPXtM6dx5aGCoD-_rdYRX67wax-uTHTfIcWohh2honJdxnH9R4In2cjfhZ8C4AJYyuXPJH-et-xXvQB7IpUliACL62VodTIUZA/w320-h400/dg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://popmart101.wordpress.com/2023/06/19/depeche-mode-live-in-dublin-2023/">In my Dublin review</a> I wrote that I had some reservations about the setlist, and that has to do with the <i>Memento Mori</i> and <i>Playing The Angel</i> songs. And while in the case of <i>Memento Mori,</i> I accept that the show is part of the overall album promotion (though less so than previous albums), but in the c<span style="text-align: left;">ase of the <i>Playing The Angel</i> songs, it's a shame. The songs are brilliant on the album but don't translate well in a live environment.</span></div></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Also the setlist is basically the same as on the last few tours and in this particular case even the versions are the same.</p> <div style="text-align: justify;">Nevertheless, and especially after the long time of dealing with a unique situation like Covid, including no trips, meetings and gigs, these reservations are not strong enough to spoil my feelings about the Milan concert. It was a great night and I had a great time!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next stop: Barcelona 24!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks Panos!</div></div></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-52878486330703157592023-06-21T17:00:00.000+01:002023-06-21T17:00:06.175+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, TWICKENHAM STADIUM, 17 JUNE 2023<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYU-n7tp51FgvLiOtxfK3Eb7247fsMOz-lBAYMxTbty4QTYp2wLXhj_dqycjh0aW-cyB6mEhAgXSSr5DvFcnPn_g5dkdEhSizQqxruBDQUPdCOddH_2uycLrLCZThEYfJAOdcW9M-djD0b1EsZYxYp7Kt5zWcYrcEj8coo7QaHYHsLCRCfhkuhk6btg8/s1596/3ab647cc-5af5-4ff2-9dfe-8bf59be53356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1596" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYU-n7tp51FgvLiOtxfK3Eb7247fsMOz-lBAYMxTbty4QTYp2wLXhj_dqycjh0aW-cyB6mEhAgXSSr5DvFcnPn_g5dkdEhSizQqxruBDQUPdCOddH_2uycLrLCZThEYfJAOdcW9M-djD0b1EsZYxYp7Kt5zWcYrcEj8coo7QaHYHsLCRCfhkuhk6btg8/w400-h228/3ab647cc-5af5-4ff2-9dfe-8bf59be53356.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John H, John C, Stuart, Me, Colin, Andrew, Paul<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div style="text-align: justify;">My second gig of the <i>Memento Mori</i> world tour was at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 17 June. This was always going to be a special show. Depeche Mode's last UK stadium gig at the London Stadium in June 2017 was wonderful but, after Fletch died, none of us were sure we would get the chance to celebrate the band on that scale and on home turf ever again. There was, therefore, very much an air of celebration before, during and after Saturday's concert.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As has become standard for these events, I suggested to my friends that they dress up in blog colours. They very generously agreed to do so as you can see above. The group I was with were friends I have had since school (the two Johns and Stuart) and from University (Colin, Andrew and Paul). They have all had to suffer my Depeche Mode obsession for between 30 and 35 years and, happily, they are all still talking to me. They are of course Depeche fans too and, despite being a long time fan of the band, this was Colin's first Depeche Mode concert, a fact I was quite jealous of. Imagine seeing a band like this, a band playing so well, for the first time ever? Lucky man. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was delighted to be spending a weekend with my oldest friends seeing a band we all love, a mood shared not only by our own group, but by almost everyone else we saw, spoke to or messaged throughout the weekend. People had come to this concert from all over the world to see this concert and trying to say hello to everyone you wanted to say hello to proved impossible. We spent part of the Saturday afternoon at The Barmy Arms in Twickenham, enjoying a beer or two, watching Depeche T-Shirts from all eras. A group of fans had bespoke luminous baseball caps which seemed to cause some jealously among my friends who were all wearing their <b>free</b> T-shirts. You can't please everyone I suppose. We chatted to two lads from Devon who had driven up for the gig, one of whom hadn't seen the band since a show in St Austell, Cornwall in 1984. I needlessly pressed him for what he remembered about the concert. Really must stop doing that....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXvY6sdBRXCfX2CEDcLxs57Sl0zIyp4t9_kuNj3ty5J2Wp4tqi8JG_fQmC1y5WM67lWjvxiVa7SvgFX2yhyD_DZHbMNkXYaie_JDLh-MFDNgNoXD9gDYpNDIpIsW5Fhz1Xwm7vyy5TOBnFKb2xSgMFMleM-ekCr7lq9I0tZ5eUAifdmD1hsJpcAtFE4A/s4032/IMG_1843.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXvY6sdBRXCfX2CEDcLxs57Sl0zIyp4t9_kuNj3ty5J2Wp4tqi8JG_fQmC1y5WM67lWjvxiVa7SvgFX2yhyD_DZHbMNkXYaie_JDLh-MFDNgNoXD9gDYpNDIpIsW5Fhz1Xwm7vyy5TOBnFKb2xSgMFMleM-ekCr7lq9I0tZ5eUAifdmD1hsJpcAtFE4A/w400-h300/IMG_1843.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We planned to head from there to The Cabbage Patch for a large DM meet up but couldn't get in, so we made up for it with a trip to our hotel bar where my mates got their first taste of this blog's appeal (if that is the right word) as people came over to say hello. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From there, we headed to Twickenham to get a good spot in the golden circle. I managed to say a few hellos to people I know (hi Pete, Peter, Glynn, Michael L, Duncan, Thomas, Michael P, Carsten, Mark, Chris, Scott, Claire and Adele) and to people I'd never met before, all of whom wanted to chat about the blog and Halo. I still can't get over that really - it still takes me by surprise and genuinely means a lot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-zWZcKNmiSngkJxnnMzomd5TmNuSm0mlMFzH6yD4AMJPEnf7a7PPtqU7hy6VbjXc1SjEjZ-0AUt5cNqxPSk7MOrNGAEhq-5kKYhYYLiVP1BMYIdc8rZgFlj4ga7HvD8FLVhR52MnqWyC-2s7GPmUsrcDUeFHw_T3_ISE3Bb8APDtuALRWhR1VLJGVDU/s3088/IMG_1811.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-zWZcKNmiSngkJxnnMzomd5TmNuSm0mlMFzH6yD4AMJPEnf7a7PPtqU7hy6VbjXc1SjEjZ-0AUt5cNqxPSk7MOrNGAEhq-5kKYhYYLiVP1BMYIdc8rZgFlj4ga7HvD8FLVhR52MnqWyC-2s7GPmUsrcDUeFHw_T3_ISE3Bb8APDtuALRWhR1VLJGVDU/w300-h400/IMG_1811.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carsten, Thomas and me</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As was the case in Dublin, Young Fathers were fantastic. I really hope that a lot of Depeche fans have been impressed by them as they are one of the best live acts around. Once they were done, and once we'd bought another round of drinks at £7.50 a pint (!!), it was time for Depeche Mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-memento-depeche-mode-malahide-castle.html">My Dublin review</a> covered the set in detail so I won't go into it in depth here. The only change was Martin swapping <i>Home</i> for <i>A Question Of Lust</i>, a long time favourite of mine and a song I had never actually seen Martin perform live before. That was a real treat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The band were on fantastic form. Dave was in full preening, twirling, part-vampire, part-showman mode and he held the stadium in the palm of his hand throughout the concert. Of the new tracks, <i>Wagging Tongue</i> and<i> My Favourite Stranger </i>sounded incredible, the latter really packing a punch. <i>Stripped</i> was as powerful as ever and <i>Never Let Me Down Again</i> shook the stadium to its foundations, prompting all seven of us to form a circle and jump around like men half our age. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VEosWq9XWzBilj0pbEr3_rtQsfyyhODYv0WnlX-u5EaLaUqfN4OFvUshPEMUk74tHOICpG5bbeuC_Hdma-k3WiTaPOWf9jsdeOiwvtYbVHiB1hGDSbiRln0NxMO06GF1YJmqV7s8Mp9gWG4n20_0Nd9bIxhteqLelV-pLgBzaETmrVOdUEC7G7ac9qY/s4032/IMG_1832.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VEosWq9XWzBilj0pbEr3_rtQsfyyhODYv0WnlX-u5EaLaUqfN4OFvUshPEMUk74tHOICpG5bbeuC_Hdma-k3WiTaPOWf9jsdeOiwvtYbVHiB1hGDSbiRln0NxMO06GF1YJmqV7s8Mp9gWG4n20_0Nd9bIxhteqLelV-pLgBzaETmrVOdUEC7G7ac9qY/w400-h300/IMG_1832.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That act of celebration summed up the whole night for me. Everywhere you looked, people were bouncing around, jumping about and just generally going crazy as Depeche Mode played a set crammed with tracks that had provided the soundtrack to the lives of tens of thousands of people at the sold-out stadium. This was more a celebration than a concert. Depeche Mode have a special way, a unique way even, of making songs that seem intimate when you listen to them on your own still have that effect despite being played in a stadium to thousands. Of all the bands that have existed in the last forty years, there is no doubt that Depeche Mode are the least obvious stadium fillers but fill stadiums they do, and the world is a better place for that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Fletch died, I couldn't work out why I was so upset. It only made sense when my wife said to me that it was understandable because Depeche Mode had been such a big part of my life for so long. I was reminded of that and of the length of time I have loved this band at Twickenham by celebrating them with my oldest friends, a theme common among the many groups of people there that night. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That is why Depeche Mode are special. That is why the Twickenham gig was one of the best experiences of my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-14703042236963767762023-06-20T11:07:00.000+01:002023-06-20T11:07:01.395+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, ZIGGO DOME, AMSTERDAM, MAY 18TH 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEkFiPjFdDfxULTCK_294CABiCmIZLlMONu6ki8ruDwqZcyvI1zcYw9InweJhDITWwqSKqEcbarqkrgVJJJPvVqct-aY8Qr-zd0nww9pTP0ByV0gyKE3sz8AcOwsyoUQUAjCAVtqB_grmD1saiWLjBTOIklW1lnbP-g_-y7CZoxqCDzqaRdQkKcSGWME/s1125/352871197_1012997466303329_1964877923713783184_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1125" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEkFiPjFdDfxULTCK_294CABiCmIZLlMONu6ki8ruDwqZcyvI1zcYw9InweJhDITWwqSKqEcbarqkrgVJJJPvVqct-aY8Qr-zd0nww9pTP0ByV0gyKE3sz8AcOwsyoUQUAjCAVtqB_grmD1saiWLjBTOIklW1lnbP-g_-y7CZoxqCDzqaRdQkKcSGWME/w400-h300/352871197_1012997466303329_1964877923713783184_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Peter Philipsen, known to some you as as Peter Too from <a href="http://depeche-mode.com">depeche-mode.com</a> reviewed shows on the last tour for this blog and I was delighted when he asked if he could do it again. This is his review of what sounded like an incredible show in Amsterdam and this contains some fascinating insights into what goes on at each show. Thanks very much for this Peter and it was great to see you albeit briefly at Twickenham. All pictures are Peter's so don't steal them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLLtIktKpojkbtQg6vPYPovoj3XpagkzOCbHKDF9pHj9vYt-zdr5M6Rs_CBHN-XWouPQRLeH-7zTEXpSWXyiQok_wpx0LprJNT_99VtBWU09xs0bn--MZTcvpqoOjPUWufBSeWSnwUzYBNVOblhp6HznNM6muH15h4U9xpLFEssYI6YorB2JpMEIRe9s/s1125/354036760_288948230171247_1323327771927572105_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1125" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLLtIktKpojkbtQg6vPYPovoj3XpagkzOCbHKDF9pHj9vYt-zdr5M6Rs_CBHN-XWouPQRLeH-7zTEXpSWXyiQok_wpx0LprJNT_99VtBWU09xs0bn--MZTcvpqoOjPUWufBSeWSnwUzYBNVOblhp6HznNM6muH15h4U9xpLFEssYI6YorB2JpMEIRe9s/w400-h300/354036760_288948230171247_1323327771927572105_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Amsterdam was announced, I knew this would be a “must go” stop on the tour. Double-nighter (the first of the tour to boot), European kick-off shows, some of the few in-door shows on this leg and the first one just happened to be on my birthday.</div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’m always a little bit at a loss as to where to start when writing these show reports. If you’re reading this, chances are you already know a lot about these shows; probably even been to one or several at this point. So I’ll try to recap the day and the show, tell you what was “different” about the second night compared to the first, and hopefully sprinkle in a few interesting bits and pieces.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The band and crew had actually been in town for a while at this point. Of course there had been the show two days before, and before that, there had been a full scale rehearsal, to make sure everyone knew what they were playing, and testing out alternate songs for rotation at double nighters and later on in the tour. Don’t worry - no spoilers on that front here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And even before the band arrived to rehearse, the entire stage setup had to be rebuilt from the ground up, with completely new bits and pieces. Rather than shipping over the stage and the gear after the North American leg, everything that could be sourced “locally” (read: in Europe), was sourced here. So rather than shipping over 20 or so containers worth, they only had to bring over about two containers worth of equipment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the day I went to the venue late afternoon, and had a wander in and around the venue before doors opened. There’s a weirdly solemn atmosphere about an almost venue that’s ready for a show. That goes for all shows I suppose, but with Mode it’s something special for me. In Amsterdam my personal excitement was mixed with a slight tinge of disbelief that this was all happening. I can honestly say that when Fletch passed away - less than a year ago - I had not expected to be here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There’s a few things I try to do every time I go to a show. I like watching the doors open, and the crowd swarming in. Such a rush. I also try and go say hello to some of the people I know on from past tours. As Cold Cave was performing, I was treated to a tour of the video set up, and the spotlight controls. Never fails to amaze how much gadgetry and tech goes into a show like this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kMWqdoFp8oBizGhfBtIfhsQFuwa0vQeBjCtEyvvL3OBhERCilDODYQAUwdMlne8_YU3eiGzTe2FBYs6CerXen3LFD3srr2aE5XbiadTxaMIKVp9flUU7nyBeifqAETQcR6cJSlSa8MM1WZdnl2cysAhNI9RZZRnrKgsmHyv1mHAiTo1yUBHFq8soPc4/s1125/353812700_622462809942894_5165136702394687563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1125" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kMWqdoFp8oBizGhfBtIfhsQFuwa0vQeBjCtEyvvL3OBhERCilDODYQAUwdMlne8_YU3eiGzTe2FBYs6CerXen3LFD3srr2aE5XbiadTxaMIKVp9flUU7nyBeifqAETQcR6cJSlSa8MM1WZdnl2cysAhNI9RZZRnrKgsmHyv1mHAiTo1yUBHFq8soPc4/w400-h209/353812700_622462809942894_5165136702394687563_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember way back in the day, when lighting-crew would climb eerily flimsy ladders to go sit 10 meters above the stage, manually controlling the spotlights? Those days are long gone. The spotlights are mounted with small cameras, and are remote controlled from backstage. The rig looks like a steam punk, multi-player arcade racing game setup. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO2-t4JVd_ETv3bmzTABRTjRy29uQQn_aCYgG_5jzsP3B94uH81WtjjvFTwNZqloX34IqeUyo31ERFlxzSS_ir3MfTnqQwPTH09hrU0317HqJaN-ppXXJcjOLz6WXheJLP7gpJGmFKlsLW74MPX3D96uEsE8ZeYamYxID7QObwFbtHgi0vMIan_3GjbA/s1125/351573732_646760024170225_5327540239890719796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1125" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO2-t4JVd_ETv3bmzTABRTjRy29uQQn_aCYgG_5jzsP3B94uH81WtjjvFTwNZqloX34IqeUyo31ERFlxzSS_ir3MfTnqQwPTH09hrU0317HqJaN-ppXXJcjOLz6WXheJLP7gpJGmFKlsLW74MPX3D96uEsE8ZeYamYxID7QObwFbtHgi0vMIan_3GjbA/w400-h300/351573732_646760024170225_5327540239890719796_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They are working with completely new lighting designers and crew. And they’ve done phenomenal work. This show looks absolutely stunning. Front of house (the mixing desk) is also helmed by a new guy, who’s super good. But other than that a lot of familiar faces. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show itself was great. The crowd seemed way more into it on Thursday than Tuesday. A couple of glitches here and there - the system Christian use to trigger songs failed after the intro, so the first song started a little late. A little funny seeing the confused looks, as the techs frantically fixed whatever was the matter. <i>Ghosts Again</i> also got off to a rough start with Mart’s guitar falling out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmgWjOCuMAwJ1dJTlButw5d7dYkLnBmqFpCOHM5PHdT9i8e5Rw8gU2pNeDRB-sJ9OX-w0NNlQI6FEeSAnKpFEWnScnYAjIhPei1vkGmyG-rjwRz2-cRGU1cWhXrGiFL2BA2pHgGfGCtFxJoK_TDNd33YIBE1iDu1JDSyk41mR1kyPtFFCPbzfWkSVxZ8/s1125/351612623_1196207044394128_4751282948708236355_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1125" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmgWjOCuMAwJ1dJTlButw5d7dYkLnBmqFpCOHM5PHdT9i8e5Rw8gU2pNeDRB-sJ9OX-w0NNlQI6FEeSAnKpFEWnScnYAjIhPei1vkGmyG-rjwRz2-cRGU1cWhXrGiFL2BA2pHgGfGCtFxJoK_TDNd33YIBE1iDu1JDSyk41mR1kyPtFFCPbzfWkSVxZ8/w400-h300/351612623_1196207044394128_4751282948708236355_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if you were there, and thought there was one too many people on stage: No, you’re not wrong. That was a local photographer… Anton something or other… who was taking photos of throughout the show. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got a total of three “new” songs on the second night: <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> (listed as “Perfect Stranger” on the set list), <i>Home</i> and <i>Condemnation</i>. Personally I wish they played more from the new album at the shows, so it was cool hearing <i>My Favourite Stranger</i> again. As far as I remember, it hadn’t been played since the Munich warm-up gig. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvsw6hvWVCKBJ0nWlyRQIbF6VmTVols4bzxJAx0vof01FD0ZkDTkLY3oaqcouQe1uqbUEri8inYbpZLaFF5jpK4w1OsJQ6Hie1cYAecFiqokmtzS-XJBoRWJpfCAAPhwVlIornd9zir7QrpkUMcMbK7431puglkYeLgubaAogFmqpc9TS_7TfweMZ3f8/s1500/353981704_797676658616087_6103016600650886288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1124" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvsw6hvWVCKBJ0nWlyRQIbF6VmTVols4bzxJAx0vof01FD0ZkDTkLY3oaqcouQe1uqbUEri8inYbpZLaFF5jpK4w1OsJQ6Hie1cYAecFiqokmtzS-XJBoRWJpfCAAPhwVlIornd9zir7QrpkUMcMbK7431puglkYeLgubaAogFmqpc9TS_7TfweMZ3f8/w300-h400/353981704_797676658616087_6103016600650886288_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A relatively small and calm affair backstage after the show - with most of the crew having to pack everything down and load out there seemed to be fewer people and less partying than on the first night. But the video juke box did play <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i>, so there was that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks very much Peter - not a bad way to spend your birthday!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-30371095845881211232023-06-15T09:41:00.002+01:002023-06-15T11:07:49.000+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, MALAHIDE CASTLE, DUBLIN 14 JUNE 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK2PUGGF6QReJS4Z0nY9dSzLGN82ZB282QSUjD9lW8SMkMCBqPPKlnfSYAXAt6jvqkiPJ1hxdmWNEzRe6A5XVi8aDYYfkoYu0zMfEHXGuUGH6ILUq9bZEJm0FsDO8-rhG9he-gfK1jgsNEriHL-VMEYBL5qNzNAT4S7kEe3VI0c4TAT7oeEfDWKMM/s2048/347396056_10161182584115337_6009679766637064923_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2048" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK2PUGGF6QReJS4Z0nY9dSzLGN82ZB282QSUjD9lW8SMkMCBqPPKlnfSYAXAt6jvqkiPJ1hxdmWNEzRe6A5XVi8aDYYfkoYu0zMfEHXGuUGH6ILUq9bZEJm0FsDO8-rhG9he-gfK1jgsNEriHL-VMEYBL5qNzNAT4S7kEe3VI0c4TAT7oeEfDWKMM/w400-h291/347396056_10161182584115337_6009679766637064923_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last night, I at last managed to see Depeche Mode's Memento Mori World Tour and it was fantastic. Like many fans, I've been keeping an eye on the setlist and its lack of variation (while nothing new for a Depeche Mode tour from the early days to date) combined with its use of Global Spirit Tour versions of songs did cause me some concern. In the end however, there was nothing to be concerned about. Even the most cynical Depeche fans would have loved this gig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Prior to the show, I met up with friends I hadn't seen since the last tour and that was wonderful. Dublin itself was full of Depeche Mode t-shirts of all types and many of us nodded to each other in acknowledgement when we passed in the city's streets. Finding the station to the venue and then the venue itself was easy too - just follow the black t-shirts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A final pre-gig note: a chap came up to me in the pub and asked if I was the Almost Predictable guy. He wanted to say how much he enjoys the blog. That was lovely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, the concert itself. I missed the first support Just Mustard, but people have told me good things about them. Happily, I saw all of Young Fathers set and they were outstanding. I've seen them live before and they are always good, but their show last night was incredible. Their energy is extraordinary and I hope that they enjoyed it. A Depeche Mode support slot is notoriously rough, but I loved them and a few people around me were converted. I'm looking forward to seeing them again on Saturday at Twickenham.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCPGNYOPpiiFQLsD-Bs_uxoax0qUiHIH7QkfStwBBLt460QEk1vx44dzJOogzC7-nsNP3GXMKN6Q3c_Hw0rbveeGgF94Tf8Vq63tcG9xYe0SDLLGpxaizGk-PRptATWflvlW0EY8IDpVtwA8HXQtu1qrvjQH_9CVKa2tG7NEYgRp1TG_PaqJ5deT/s1080/354440430_10161182507285337_6925865860802302448_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCPGNYOPpiiFQLsD-Bs_uxoax0qUiHIH7QkfStwBBLt460QEk1vx44dzJOogzC7-nsNP3GXMKN6Q3c_Hw0rbveeGgF94Tf8Vq63tcG9xYe0SDLLGpxaizGk-PRptATWflvlW0EY8IDpVtwA8HXQtu1qrvjQH_9CVKa2tG7NEYgRp1TG_PaqJ5deT/w400-h300/354440430_10161182507285337_6925865860802302448_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>My Cosmos Is Mine</i> is a strange but tremendous opener. We went Depeche Mode to be weird and they fulfil that brief opening stadium shows with this track. As soon as the song started, a forest of arms were raised and a seemingly endless number of phones started filming. Please stop this. Please.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wagging Tongue</i> has become a favourite of mine from the album and it works nicely live too, but for those fans there who aren't oddball DM obsessives, these two songs make for a fairly slow start to the gigs. That changes though with <i>Walking In My Shoes</i> and <i>It's No Good, </i>a one-two that gets everyone paying attention. <i>It's No Good</i> has become a vital part of any Depeche gig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The only low point in an otherwise near flawless performance came next with <i>Sister Of Night.</i> The <i>Ultra</i> version is one of my favourite Depeche tracks and it is great that they have added it to the set but, and this is perhaps pedantic, the use of a different lead synth sound just sounds really bad. On the original the lead riff is an icy, metallic, classic Depeche Mode sound. Here it's a weak organ-like sound and, well, it sounds crap. Dave's vocals, perfect for the rest of the gig, were a bit off here too. It's a gorgeous song, but it slowed the pace of the gig again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7q07zjRoo4OcSrdxojRi844i3fZx73vaXgmTPrN3KPNT8iIi4hQyoy-6lmAl2EhpCsnra2JIRGF5WVODB3tOQpD20eBotVIRALVYqDN9tBDqgdG9ckAhajDGQromohu2NlG2RsiH8LzZI29Q5diP5DxKouoNwn_iyKjfujF9kyFQ9GDdNR8fPoy9/s2048/347396056_10161182584115337_6009679766637064923_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2048" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7q07zjRoo4OcSrdxojRi844i3fZx73vaXgmTPrN3KPNT8iIi4hQyoy-6lmAl2EhpCsnra2JIRGF5WVODB3tOQpD20eBotVIRALVYqDN9tBDqgdG9ckAhajDGQromohu2NlG2RsiH8LzZI29Q5diP5DxKouoNwn_iyKjfujF9kyFQ9GDdNR8fPoy9/w400-h291/347396056_10161182584115337_6009679766637064923_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The album version of <i>In Your Room </i>was resurrected on the last tour and that's one I'd have been delighted for them to retain but the <i>Zephyr Mix</i> has returned on this tour. It works of course but lacks the drama of the original. <i>Everything Counts</i> however could be played in any version or way the band want, and it would remain one of the greatest songs of all time. The first part of the show wrapped up with <i>Precious</i> and an excellent <i>My Favourite Stranger</i>, displaying a surprising punch. It's an excellent live track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4-1POBETn3_pXhCgO-fGC9ngN8lQacSDWc6rTYo5jZNdGzNqWdI0PYYsOSItz_mpkdIF5R6wsQ74UOI84qd3quTMfB0vHctju2dxaKX6kEE7D3OHlYUQc8fBdya_IAGvHWUbbGVhUDAAj61Z4WSm45qqDAvrqpSwNaWBAvvCzuX0SzV0y2-mEchC/s2048/354218539_10161182506545337_7121832732441964173_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4-1POBETn3_pXhCgO-fGC9ngN8lQacSDWc6rTYo5jZNdGzNqWdI0PYYsOSItz_mpkdIF5R6wsQ74UOI84qd3quTMfB0vHctju2dxaKX6kEE7D3OHlYUQc8fBdya_IAGvHWUbbGVhUDAAj61Z4WSm45qqDAvrqpSwNaWBAvvCzuX0SzV0y2-mEchC/w400-h300/354218539_10161182506545337_7121832732441964173_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Dave took a seat and Martin took over. During <i>Home</i>, he did that odd dance only he does, half skipping and half hopping down the catwalk, waving and pointing and looking like he was having the time of his life. <i>Soul With Me</i>, acoustic rather than the album version as has been the case thus far on the tour, was lovely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Ghosts Again </i>saw Dave return and saw the end of any input from <i>Memento Mori</i>. That is a shame, as songs such as <i>Before We Drown, Don't Say You Love Me</i> and <i>People Are Good</i> would surely be worth playing. <i>I Feel You </i>is shorter than on previous tours and that is a good thing. Devotional aside, longer versions of the song have seen it lose its power, but that's not the case here. It was outstanding last night. <i>A Pain That I'm Used To</i> was fine but tired. I don't think we really need to hear to much more of that version.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3c3zthy45EaaTbdw8TpUq5knkuDVXhQX5kT_1FQ6PtlIusxll12QcEH-58cXB9faAWPgq7OM6UNHXblaXeDABv5HA3bMf77S2yD24hIuEdBxU1MxkTMlGXZ78BCiK1C2qTSJB-tH39AZ4BJCCn25pKl3qFTBgeZMPzYYGo1MTtvWuWuAA_BD_zMd/s2048/354250536_10161182506235337_5487109812877136709_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3c3zthy45EaaTbdw8TpUq5knkuDVXhQX5kT_1FQ6PtlIusxll12QcEH-58cXB9faAWPgq7OM6UNHXblaXeDABv5HA3bMf77S2yD24hIuEdBxU1MxkTMlGXZ78BCiK1C2qTSJB-tH39AZ4BJCCn25pKl3qFTBgeZMPzYYGo1MTtvWuWuAA_BD_zMd/w400-h300/354250536_10161182506235337_5487109812877136709_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Being a <i>Violator</i> era bore (did I mention I'd written a book with Kevin May? Halo - available right now) I usually sing/shout every word of <i>World In My Eyes</i>, but not last night. I never met Andy Fletcher and didn't know him at all, but his death hit me far harder than I ever thought it would. I thought I was over all that but, as his image appeared on the screens last night, I was reminded how much of a shock his death was. I don't think I was the only one there last night with tears in their eyes. Anton's film is a very simple and very moving tribute to the great man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Wrong</i>, or as Dave calls it <i>Wraaaanggg</i>, perked me up and then <i>Stripped </i>began. My word, is there a more powerful song in the Depeche Mode canon? <i>Stripped</i> was designed to be played in large venues like this and it was so loud and so imposing that I imagine I could have heard it from my garden in Glasgow if I'd stayed at home. What a bloody song.<i> </i>Despite keeping an eye on setlist, I'd forgotten that <i>John The Revelator </i>followed <i>Stripped. </i>It was good a kept everyone bouncing along. The singalong but at the end seems a bit pointless however.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQUeYXGZOQNL4t4cq5K4Z8EvDsAFpGiqKdjZvC51QF_D57G3aO3B_eUn-m9Mwy1qItr3NMKdQ9oFG94baKcvQLoMa1m-ssQNslXkA2Im86uo7s84MQ2YqQZbSGuSocteE0GGvXpJIPXfn7T391ISkQSBc-ksZYIXxumNiT9qqmAzRt2AQBfMVovcX/s2048/347410142_10161182600005337_2209769389319259703_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="2048" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQUeYXGZOQNL4t4cq5K4Z8EvDsAFpGiqKdjZvC51QF_D57G3aO3B_eUn-m9Mwy1qItr3NMKdQ9oFG94baKcvQLoMa1m-ssQNslXkA2Im86uo7s84MQ2YqQZbSGuSocteE0GGvXpJIPXfn7T391ISkQSBc-ksZYIXxumNiT9qqmAzRt2AQBfMVovcX/w400-h196/347410142_10161182600005337_2209769389319259703_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The main set ended with <i>Enjoy The Silence</i> a song that I may have mentioned before on this blog. It is still my favourite Depeche Mode song, it will always be my favourite Depeche Mode song and, frankly, I have yet to hear a better song by anyone ever in the history of music. And that's me not going over the top - honestly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI2Zw5lV3O3A0mitPXC_rSxw_Uaej8_mLm74yNNT2kP3KUnSm8ueF5xEQZ4yOT2bK9s9P7sk-ET0Nb0X5SNt84K6mX82btvlr-xNANCnuFulJ3Bif3aVPcykAtAiouZs6Gyd_PakDcr_cSmhooHzuI_ycYjhcir2l8TnO8Rnft5qS4bR4t3JnFjxu/s2048/354205639_10161182506430337_5746554815418583185_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI2Zw5lV3O3A0mitPXC_rSxw_Uaej8_mLm74yNNT2kP3KUnSm8ueF5xEQZ4yOT2bK9s9P7sk-ET0Nb0X5SNt84K6mX82btvlr-xNANCnuFulJ3Bif3aVPcykAtAiouZs6Gyd_PakDcr_cSmhooHzuI_ycYjhcir2l8TnO8Rnft5qS4bR4t3JnFjxu/w400-h300/354205639_10161182506430337_5746554815418583185_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The encore started with Dave and Martin wandering down to the front of the catwalk and singing <i>Waiting For The Night</i>. Beautiful. A three song hits package - <i>Just Can't Get Enough, Never Let Me Down Again</i> and <i>Personal Jesus </i>followed and rounded off the night in fine style. </div><p style="text-align: justify;">For anyone who has been sceptical about the current Depeche tour, forget your concerns and embrace this live show. Let's be honest, we didn't think we'd see them again after the last tour and certainly not after Fletch passed away, so to have Depeche Mode back is a wonderful thing. When they are playing with this enthusiasm and with this power, they remain a joy and one of the finest live bands there is.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bring on Twickenham.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479382718529718406.post-76492909532155598672023-06-04T18:00:00.004+01:002023-06-04T18:00:27.410+01:00A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, GROUPAMA STADIUM, LYON, 31 MAY 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2tEeOGzRa2MWf4ZpiZMrsH7SL4ZpMaYHlAdPjtBpN9krrimTc2d8GkMjF2dwaRySPA0it8Y-m1vADI33INrZ57OXhzll2NzIOf1g3uhitjhEkj4-vyRxuRGNGv8CjNDg_AEOjL5L5YVkVZn83YcnchcHfftb1OnTM9bLnW5bH3ms-M4NjGGVkiGd/s1280/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2tEeOGzRa2MWf4ZpiZMrsH7SL4ZpMaYHlAdPjtBpN9krrimTc2d8GkMjF2dwaRySPA0it8Y-m1vADI33INrZ57OXhzll2NzIOf1g3uhitjhEkj4-vyRxuRGNGv8CjNDg_AEOjL5L5YVkVZn83YcnchcHfftb1OnTM9bLnW5bH3ms-M4NjGGVkiGd/w400-h225/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Blog friend, fellow Home (<a href="http://depeche-mode.com">depeche-mode.com</a>) mod and geniune film star Daniel Cassus returns to reviewing duties for the Depeche show in Lyon on 31st May. As we will see, there is a Spirits In The Forest mini reunion among much else in this great review. Thanks very much Daniel. All pictures are his so don't nick them without saying that. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovVlVMjpxRG888lJCE2c-XR5IzKb4xSrfyn9om1tPRrRLR3xbve75O7VjZeL9m5QnPDb6ZB27DWGQA66yODJzHGs_zP2Zg-u1D2YeHF9JTu8Gtw6jzkDxEqT17YDW-3krb9cwxGO_iEKE-yGfYbHuV929Q2t_37MUGjTQ6OJtdeiiB_o2IbYl6sQ8/s1270/347417200_236394919100644_2524428158828185214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovVlVMjpxRG888lJCE2c-XR5IzKb4xSrfyn9om1tPRrRLR3xbve75O7VjZeL9m5QnPDb6ZB27DWGQA66yODJzHGs_zP2Zg-u1D2YeHF9JTu8Gtw6jzkDxEqT17YDW-3krb9cwxGO_iEKE-yGfYbHuV929Q2t_37MUGjTQ6OJtdeiiB_o2IbYl6sQ8/w400-h400/347417200_236394919100644_2524428158828185214_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">May 31st. The day had come. I woke up at 2am to catch a very early flight to Geneva and then a train to Lyon. The plan was simple: try to do a reunion of us fans from <i>Spirits in the Forest</i>. Well, four of us made it. And it was also my first show of this tour. What can I say?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-4tB65qzBVGz-mI1viiw9cWQaeIX2C3SI8xqek4vSjm9oo85JwCX81qA3nAd_DiDul-b7jXYc4vKgtOs81jrWZK4tm_wxw_sXAcgoqhSl5zZZufQfj41sD2H-CeCVi8_CaKgXtKTzhi9sEQlXGSBG4E3JfbH4-S9SBz7qNrN7INgaoR3RN7M2FkW/s640/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-4tB65qzBVGz-mI1viiw9cWQaeIX2C3SI8xqek4vSjm9oo85JwCX81qA3nAd_DiDul-b7jXYc4vKgtOs81jrWZK4tm_wxw_sXAcgoqhSl5zZZufQfj41sD2H-CeCVi8_CaKgXtKTzhi9sEQlXGSBG4E3JfbH4-S9SBz7qNrN7INgaoR3RN7M2FkW/w400-h300/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We hung around the merchandise stand right in front of the entrance and we were… a bit surprised (but then again, not that much) with the spike in prices. I was put off from almost everything simply because I am not a fan of the design of the apparel this time. The skull in particular doesn’t say “Depeche Mode” to me. But I did succumb to the grey fleece jacket. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeOUQSAJw4tmB5GFzOHkNiN1qJuecsAFgdKp78GWRp6MpojWFjleRy_glCwX1urV9S3Q6nMkzugHRPwujJdw5tvvIFmtQV3yd_e9ELliCyYmq-0qcIhKDGmpK3s0OOx8cFNwdApwvdIvMGVEs53CnFMv0vh1sUZqOLYCWfsorvPIXX99jlg3mte97/s640/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeOUQSAJw4tmB5GFzOHkNiN1qJuecsAFgdKp78GWRp6MpojWFjleRy_glCwX1urV9S3Q6nMkzugHRPwujJdw5tvvIFmtQV3yd_e9ELliCyYmq-0qcIhKDGmpK3s0OOx8cFNwdApwvdIvMGVEs53CnFMv0vh1sUZqOLYCWfsorvPIXX99jlg3mte97/w300-h400/unnamed-3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A man arrived with a plain white shirt with a special message to Dave written with a sharpie on the back. He did find something else to wear during the show and spared Dave from the odd request.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGNn_EaTtl-qC0tZ-HSwtlH2voD_65X4h9tB0zjd1BesJP_Bq5Dj9blpsWEBShxAS8aawmko512roIrmzGXMLjtm4M4Q-9G_-5KBCLRgY0p-jyqDSpl_PmxeXca2J4W9cPO9iIGKmnFsE6zIoY8XuRpPFo9Ckk7FpwCxFfcaVrc4gH7r6UEv230Dm/s640/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGNn_EaTtl-qC0tZ-HSwtlH2voD_65X4h9tB0zjd1BesJP_Bq5Dj9blpsWEBShxAS8aawmko512roIrmzGXMLjtm4M4Q-9G_-5KBCLRgY0p-jyqDSpl_PmxeXca2J4W9cPO9iIGKmnFsE6zIoY8XuRpPFo9Ckk7FpwCxFfcaVrc4gH7r6UEv230Dm/w300-h400/unnamed-4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let’s talk about the show, shall we? We were all seated together on a grandstand on the left side of the stage. Not the best view, but also the best view. Why? I got to see a DM concert from a distance with the crowd in my vision. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrDrBcTuAd30YbXWXSN33UdinlFQ9G8jC3nXAFUI_UTgtJO0CWlk7m_AfVs3qA_dJKoK-yiAxP47gW8muZe-2g185orFNgMUdo3nzxetessQyayB_7AT9cGYhZDxK6GwfEJ-xV7UIy3jRD2xHQ-c5s-vQwOeu_h9bn1lSj8afywTZQ7i5sbg5xseR/s1280/unnamed-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrDrBcTuAd30YbXWXSN33UdinlFQ9G8jC3nXAFUI_UTgtJO0CWlk7m_AfVs3qA_dJKoK-yiAxP47gW8muZe-2g185orFNgMUdo3nzxetessQyayB_7AT9cGYhZDxK6GwfEJ-xV7UIy3jRD2xHQ-c5s-vQwOeu_h9bn1lSj8afywTZQ7i5sbg5xseR/w400-h225/unnamed-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>The visual aspect of this tour that deserves a highlight (no pun intended) are the lights. The entire lighting is a show within a show. It’s as if they translated music into colors and beams of light everywhere in the stadium.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b-IvRnf8QKycfa9sAwOtwIiB2HjWwL013XR76pgs0rMkaqIT_v_KNYSquVfXHW0DnXGDNVfjohaYJ60dS1gxcJvj9g7tPfXI7anvCMMFl8HSnZaGTctLXnKUE7XeoOKAV7mF_5O2CUyqLBef-9bcOq_wFjGFAu6kZanhgnSgnIeSl-B2_LeKBvz2/s1280/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b-IvRnf8QKycfa9sAwOtwIiB2HjWwL013XR76pgs0rMkaqIT_v_KNYSquVfXHW0DnXGDNVfjohaYJ60dS1gxcJvj9g7tPfXI7anvCMMFl8HSnZaGTctLXnKUE7XeoOKAV7mF_5O2CUyqLBef-9bcOq_wFjGFAu6kZanhgnSgnIeSl-B2_LeKBvz2/w400-h225/unnamed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To be honest, the crowd didn’t really go nuts until they played <i>Enjoy The Silence</i>. Not even <i>Walking In My</i> <i>Shoes</i> and <i>It’s No Good</i> early in the set got them bananas as I expected. For me every song sounded fantastic. <i>Sister Of Night</i> with Dave on vocals is a highlight of this tour for me. And even though this setlist seems to have copied half of the one from the Global Spirit Tour, I still caught myself singing loud the lyrics to every song. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PzLCmZpUHKFEqFJCo0orr0tCdnq7g1McruhAg2_6-kTyegUL69HMF6Sq2oudGqGDXSHoxIga90_CglTILtN4O8z894yJ5_c4TG3S6-_hTDgtebfqRqlkDYNFB25NH7sWeTgBDxI0u4oGAxjxOq14J4EUxvVBw730y7XOflcl-cvvVUsFWIScle3Z/s1280/unnamed-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PzLCmZpUHKFEqFJCo0orr0tCdnq7g1McruhAg2_6-kTyegUL69HMF6Sq2oudGqGDXSHoxIga90_CglTILtN4O8z894yJ5_c4TG3S6-_hTDgtebfqRqlkDYNFB25NH7sWeTgBDxI0u4oGAxjxOq14J4EUxvVBw730y7XOflcl-cvvVUsFWIScle3Z/w400-h225/unnamed-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course I was voiceless the following day. The singalong expected of <i>Everything Counts</i> simply did not happen. It even looked a bit embarrassing to watch Dave trying to get the crowd singing the coda and the response being almost null. What’s wrong with you people? The new singalong at the end of <i>John The</i> <i>Revelator</i> however gave the song a new life. And from that part of the show on, the crowd finally got wild.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEtkJPwU8U9XVhshoxUSLNnfiO1VljgRvyGOSmG_xqhfB1sjlms4DXrszXRlyCgD4wLRJXW0HtR33WqSmE8OYkDtCtMHCgRm7uHqlMca_V5y_l6OJBCV7jKayXivhJcU-JdIWijML2zeMEy1a6O_2eXTKsCOyaBfD5dZmrh1WzJXCtwUYBNsuQpC9/s1280/unnamed-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEtkJPwU8U9XVhshoxUSLNnfiO1VljgRvyGOSmG_xqhfB1sjlms4DXrszXRlyCgD4wLRJXW0HtR33WqSmE8OYkDtCtMHCgRm7uHqlMca_V5y_l6OJBCV7jKayXivhJcU-JdIWijML2zeMEy1a6O_2eXTKsCOyaBfD5dZmrh1WzJXCtwUYBNsuQpC9/w400-h225/unnamed-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What else could I say? <i>Waiting For The Night</i> is a magical moment. <i>Stripped</i> and <i>Just Can’t Get Enough</i> sounded better this time. If there were complaints that they weren’t using the original sound patches when playing live, this time you can clearly hear that, YES, they are using the exact same sound banks pulled from the studio versions. This also goes for Christian’s drum kit live tweaks. Crashes, snares and kicks all sound like the original sounds we’re used from the studio versions of each song. Peter is on the bass a bit more often on this tour (although I’m waiting to see him play <i>My Favourite Strange</i>” again). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu5aVoGo1KHaZoRlPOMNM-xgoz0J6CDER2HJkz8wdB4Y3fYCHqb9SvEGh-QsWu3GziDiti7sUQAZj722zTB6F0frxUtS2byD0It3Ccz-lABwfbOIVTDSIQtLn51hocAbs9ZtuNp-5wX3RHF4VGibkkxk0FX6J8h8b2hHEp3QvCC_m2uLR8QlOw1rx/s1280/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu5aVoGo1KHaZoRlPOMNM-xgoz0J6CDER2HJkz8wdB4Y3fYCHqb9SvEGh-QsWu3GziDiti7sUQAZj722zTB6F0frxUtS2byD0It3Ccz-lABwfbOIVTDSIQtLn51hocAbs9ZtuNp-5wX3RHF4VGibkkxk0FX6J8h8b2hHEp3QvCC_m2uLR8QlOw1rx/w400-h225/unnamed-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave and Martin were flawless in their performances. All in all, a great show to celebrate friendships while enjoying Depeche Mode before our eyes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwaRDC8yv2JCYzHo0CldikkImd8O9X-8e1-KC76cv-TezRevkSy5BQQFBGiWByWYgnbfgPbA-EhbJuyMVSS9j-zaTuK6b2tGx_DQVC3YrrXB6z6BP-Os_3uKtuCdGxUPX4eXi35qhsSPRRi0Nh_h9FfBLe0YxEaODu1u7u6SHEnXiWtiBYg0VWKk/s1280/unnamed-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwaRDC8yv2JCYzHo0CldikkImd8O9X-8e1-KC76cv-TezRevkSy5BQQFBGiWByWYgnbfgPbA-EhbJuyMVSS9j-zaTuK6b2tGx_DQVC3YrrXB6z6BP-Os_3uKtuCdGxUPX4eXi35qhsSPRRi0Nh_h9FfBLe0YxEaODu1u7u6SHEnXiWtiBYg0VWKk/w400-h225/unnamed-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks very much Daniel.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>DJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604206325345018920noreply@blogger.com0