A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, TWICKENHAM STADIUM, 17 JUNE 2023

 

John H, John C, Stuart, Me, Colin, Andrew, Paul

My second gig of the Memento Mori 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.

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. 

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 free 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....

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. 

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. 

Carsten, Thomas and me

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.

My Dublin review covered the set in detail so I won't go into it in depth here. The only change was Martin swapping Home for A Question Of Lust, a long time favourite of mine and a song I had never actually seen Martin perform live before. That was a real treat.

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, Wagging Tongue and My Favourite Stranger sounded incredible, the latter really packing a punch. Stripped was as powerful as ever and Never Let Me Down Again shook the stadium to its foundations, prompting all seven of us to form a circle and jump around like men half our age. 

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.

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. 

That is why Depeche Mode are special. That is why the Twickenham gig was one of the best experiences of my life.

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, ZIGGO DOME, AMSTERDAM, MAY 18TH 2023

 

Peter Philipsen, known to some you as as Peter Too from depeche-mode.com 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. Ghosts Again also got off to a rough start with Mart’s guitar falling out. 

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. 

We got a total of three “new” songs on the second night: My Favourite Stranger (listed as “Perfect Stranger” on the set list), Home and Condemnation. Personally I wish they played more from the new album at the shows, so it was cool hearing My Favourite Stranger again. As far as I remember, it hadn’t been played since the Munich warm-up gig. 

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 Just Can’t Get Enough, so there was that.

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Thanks very much Peter - not a bad way to spend your birthday!

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, MALAHIDE CASTLE, DUBLIN 14 JUNE 2023

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

My Cosmos Is Mine 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.

Wagging Tongue 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 Walking In My Shoes and It's No Good, a one-two that gets everyone paying attention. It's No Good has become a vital part of any Depeche gig.

The only low point in an otherwise near flawless performance came next with Sister Of Night. The Ultra 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.

The album version of In Your Room was resurrected on the last tour and that's one I'd have been delighted for them to retain but the Zephyr Mix has returned on this tour. It works of course but lacks the drama of the original. Everything Counts 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 Precious and an excellent My Favourite Stranger, displaying a surprising punch. It's an excellent live track.

Dave took a seat and Martin took over. During Home, 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. Soul With Me, acoustic rather than the album version as has been the case thus far on the tour, was lovely.

Ghosts Again saw Dave return and saw the end of any input from Memento Mori. That is a shame, as songs such as Before We Drown, Don't Say You Love Me and People Are Good would surely be worth playing. I Feel You 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. A Pain That I'm Used To was fine but tired. I don't think we really need to hear to much more of that version.

Being a Violator era bore (did I mention I'd written a book with Kevin May? Halo - available right now) I usually sing/shout every word of World In My Eyes, 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.

Wrong, or as Dave calls it Wraaaanggg, perked me up and then Stripped began. My word, is there a more powerful song in the Depeche Mode canon? Stripped 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. Despite keeping an eye on setlist, I'd forgotten that John The Revelator followed Stripped. It was good a kept everyone bouncing along. The singalong but at the end seems a bit pointless however.

The main set ended with Enjoy The Silence 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.

The encore started with Dave and Martin wandering down to the front of the catwalk and singing Waiting For The Night. Beautiful. A three song hits package - Just Can't Get Enough, Never Let Me Down Again and Personal Jesus followed and rounded off the night in fine style. 

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.

Bring on Twickenham.

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, GROUPAMA STADIUM, LYON, 31 MAY 2023

 

Blog friend, fellow Home (depeche-mode.com) 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. 

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 Spirits in the Forest. Well, four of us made it. And it was also my first show of this tour. What can I say?

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

To be honest, the crowd didn’t really go nuts until they played Enjoy The Silence. Not even Walking In My Shoes and It’s No Good early in the set got them bananas as I expected. For me every song sounded fantastic. Sister Of Night 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. 

Of course I was voiceless the following day. The singalong expected of Everything Counts 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 John The Revelator however gave the song a new life. And from that part of the show on, the crowd finally got wild.

What else could I say? Waiting For The Night is a magical moment. Stripped and Just Can’t Get Enough 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 My Favourite Strange” again). 

Dave and Martin were flawless in their performances. All in all, a great show to celebrate friendships while enjoying Depeche Mode before our eyes.

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Thanks very much Daniel.

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, SPORTPALEIS, ANTWERP MAY 20TH 2023

 

The first review of the European leg is a special one. It is written by Paul A. Taylor who works for Mute and he is a longtime fan and friend of Depeche Mode. This marvellous review sums up what so many of us think about this tour and it's got me looking forward to my first gig of the tour in Dublin even more than I already was. With the exception of the photos above (thanks DMCPAV) and below, all pictures are Paul's. Thanks very much Paul.

there was a girl at the wrexham college i went to who was obsessed with depeche mode, particularly as a live band, when 101 came out she would constantly go on about it and talk about a previous show or be excited about when she’d see them next.

i’d liked singles, i loved black celebration, music for the masses seemed deep to my teenage mind, but this band, whom seemed to be slipping into obscurity, held no interest to me as a live spectacle, the prospect seemed dull. 

i then found myself in london, on the underground seeing these adverts instructing one to call for ‘your own personal jesus’, and of course then the single appeared, wow, this was a stop in your tracks moment, it was the sound of a band so self assured, so layered, so cool, so interesting and so fun. then the violator juggernaut started, and i found myself, by literal luck (my CV was originally put in the bin) working at mute. as such, the opportunity came to see them perform live, to see what my friend in wrexham was so obsessed by, i mean, surely it would be a decent night out. that night, that first time seeing them live, what a moment, this was a show like no other i’d seen, and at the grand age of 20, i’d seen it all! (stops to reminisce about a cocky know it all youth).

fast forward to the devotional tour, still the best live show i have ever seen, fast forward to the first shows without al, the careful but self assured steps ahead, fast forward to the years of what should of been in the wilderness, still playing one incredible stadium filled show after another, fast forward to the 02 london, nearing the end of the pandemic, watching New Order continue their climb back from the wilderness to legendary status.

“what do you think?” i ask. “well, it’s not much of a show is it, when we play, dave’s a showman, holds the audience in the palm of his hand, i can’t wait to get started again”

fast forward to arguably the most anticipated depeche mode tour ever. 

off the back of losing andy, off the back of an album that critics and fans agree is great, i concur, but this is not an album review. 

fast forward to antwerp, the 3rd show of the european leg of the tour.

i arrive in the city and instantly fall in love with the quiet, cultural beauty.

allow me to share some photos to show the city and help paint the picture:

	the wonderful city of antwerp with all its fabulous architecture, restaurants, beer and chocolate.

i have to be at the show for 7pm as i have a meeting there, no one told me that the trams in antwerp have only 2 carriages, it’s now 7.45, as i chase round the venue looking for the meeting room, i find myself in a large room full of white flowers, well, looks like the promoter has gone to town with the ‘memento mori’ theme, but where is everyone? 8.15, the band are on stage at 8.45, i’ve missed the wonderful cold cave and still not had my meeting, turns out i’m in an unused room in the venue that is rarely occupied and is just generally decorated with an abundance of white (plastic...) flowers, but i eventually find everyone, the meeting is quick as the band are about to go on, considering how lost i got initially, i did not want to make the same mistake again, so i get clear instructions of how to get into the arena from where i was to take my seat, armed with 2 full glasses of wine, i head to the arena, 8.43, no problem, i can do this. 

fast forward to the opening bars of ‘my cosmos is mine’ and i’m standing directly underneath the right hand side of a giant M, bugger, i ask a tech in my best brit abroad accent, slow and loud, “how do i get into the arena?” the geordie accent comes back “fuck knows mate, we’ve been getting lost all day”

round in fast circles some more, i finally reach my seat, having missed ‘my cosmos is mine’ & ‘wagging tongues’ but in time for ‘walking in my shoes’, relax, smile, the guys are back, i love these songs, i love these people, two songs later, i’m wondering why they seem so small on the stage, dave is holding the audience in the palm of his hand (just like fletch said he would), martin sings like an angel and plays like a demon, peter and christian, as ever, don’t play a note out of place, then it hits me, just how much of a towering presence on stage that fletch was, he really filled the room, there was something he added that i really didn’t understand until now, i was expecting to miss him, but not like that, with all the hullabaloo getting to my seat, i’d forgotten he wouldn’t be there until it was clear there was a giant fletch shaped hole in my memory.

then came ‘everything counts’ and the emotions came pouring out, but not for any loss, but from the incredible film that tony made to accompany it, boom, so layered, so beautiful, so fun, here’s depeche, being po-faced and serious whilst poking fun at themselves and the world around them.

martin didn’t sing ‘home’!

for me there are 4 songs that always have to be on a depeche mode set list, ‘home’ is one of those 4. how rude of him.

the show became bigger and bigger as it went on, emotion and humour from anton, an unmatched front man performance from dave and martin, playing and smiling (and dancing) like only martin does.

‘enjoy the silence’ chimes out, then encore, no one sits down, dave and mart sing ‘waiting for the night to fall’ together, at the front, it’s beautiful. then comes a finalé to top all finalés, ‘just can’t get enough’, ‘never let me down again’ and ‘personal jesus’, which took me right back to london in 1989 when i called the number for my own personal jesus.

as the show went on, it became clear that this was a different, yet the same depeche mode, when vince left, it was a different yet the same depeche mode, when al left, it was a different, yet the same depeche mode, without andy, it’s a different depeche mode, but it’s still depeche mode. 

they look like they enjoy each other’s company and are having the time of their lives, that can’t help but make you smile in the audience.

would i have liked them to play some of my favourite tracks, some tracks i’ve never seen them perform, of course, was the show disappointing, not one bit.

dave and martin are single minded creative powerhouses who love their job, and just happen to be bloody great at it.

it’s not the end, it’s another beginning.

paul a. taylor

mute 1990 to today and hopefully a while longer

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Thank you Paul.

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, CENTRE BELL, MONTREAL, 12 APRIL 2023

On The Global Spirit Tour Project, Tara Salt's reviews were always a highlight. It seemed that every time she went to a Depeche gig she would interact with or meet the band and, once again, that happened in Montreal. Read on to find out what happened and enjoy this great review. Thank you very much Tara - all photos are Tara's unless credited otherwise.

Montreal – my lucky city. It’s where I first met David back in 2001, and it’s also where I was able to help a few friends meet Martin for the first time in 2009. In 2017 I got a big hug from David when he was incredibly nice to spend time with our group after the show, talking about a variety of topics including David Bowie and his daughter Stella Rose, who had just been accepted to a premiere art program in California. Montreal is where the Depeche Mode crowd is always a loud, crazy one – and the gift is how the band responds to that love. I live in Toronto, but I’ve always had to admit that the Montreal crowds are superior. This night proved that Montreal was yet again, one of the best places to see DM in North America. 

For the first North American leg of the Memento Mori tour, I managed to get front row tickets for Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal. I can clearly say that of the three, Montreal was the most energetic and intense show and we had a higher amount of butt wiggles and crotch grabs to show for it. (“You get a butt wiggle, and you get a crotch grab and you get a butt wiggle!”) I knew the band and crowd was on fire at a completely different level than Toronto and Quebec City when the crowd kept singing after Everything Counts. Martin and David enjoyed this since it had not occurred during previous shows, and you could tell by the big smiles the band had when looking out from the stage. In Toronto and Quebec City I had a good giggle at David’s Frankenstein like air-piano playing during Never Let Me Down Again. In Montreal we not only got that, but we also got some air guitar from David during Stripped. It’s always best when both crowd and band are lost in the intensity of the moment and there was a lot of that in Montreal. 

On a personal note, Montreal was my 90th Depeche Mode concert. I’m looking forward to attending my 101st concert this tour which is ironic, given that many of us who go to multiple shows can directly trace that need back to the 101 video. It made seeing multiple shows look like so much fun and it spawned a lot of us spending fortunes following the band on tour over the last few decades. You won’t find any of us regretting any of those decisions though! One benefit of being in the front row a lot is that David recognises me and we often sing together during the shows. In Montreal those songs ended up being Walking In My Shoes and Stripped and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I enjoyed every minute of it, while squealing on the inside. 

 In fact, at the beginning of the concert during Wagging Tongue, he pointed down at me and grinned as if to say, “There you are!” I know he’s mentioned in past interviews that he looks for familiar faces in the crowd. In Montreal he was sharing that recognition with my friends on Martin’s side of the catwalk since he recognized them as well. I’ll admit it makes the very pricey front rows hard to stay away from, and it’s a personal connection that I’ve always loved. It’s also amazing to see the interaction and smiles exchanged between band members and that’s something you miss when not close up. Mind you, I always joke that when the tour DVD’s are released, I finally get to see the light show. I never get to appreciate that aspect of the concert when up front. You win some, you lose some!

Having seen three shows, my ultimate highlights this tour include Martin singing Soul With Me and David singing Speak To Me. Martin sings Soul With Me with gusto and conviction and he pours a lot of emotion into the song. It’s intimate, and it shines. Each tour I see, I swear Martin gets better and more comfortable out there, commanding the stage on his own. David’s Speak to Me is similar in that it’s a showcase song for him and it feels very epic – very much like how Cover Me was during the Global Spirit tour. I could watch him gracefully float and twirl and command like a wizard all night. Speak To Me, this tour, is a song where you want to whip out your phone and record the last minute of the song on video. David’s movements on stage at that point is quite something to watch. It’s especially thrilling to hear the song build to a crescendo right to the very end. If you haven’t seen the show yet, pay particular attention to these two songs when you go. 

I’d have to say the first half of the setlist is very intimate but then the pace picks up with A Pain That I’m Used To. While I do wish that the band would switch up the setlist more, I can’t say I am displeased that they kept the version of Everything Counts from the lasttour. I find it remains one of the BEST versions of an older song they have done live. I also adore Wrong and I was thrilled to see them keep it. I call it my “therapeutic” DM song to sing along to – the lyrics are so damn good. And while many of us long-time fans are very done with Just Can’t Get Enough, in Montreal I found myself jumping up and down to it and that’s a testament to the band always doing a great job of keeping us thrilled and involved. 

I was lucky enough to go backstage and have a good chat with Martin. (PS – if he could, he would like to live forever!) He's so easy to talk with and he put up with some of our funny questions and stories and I was grateful to spend time with someone who has made millions of fans worldwide so happy. We left a bit past midnight and headed back to our hotel which was only a few blocks up the street from the venue. It was fun to hang out with my friends one last time in the lobby, chatting and catching up and reminiscing. Many of us will meet again in Europe once the first European leg of the tour opens and I’m very much looking forward to that. 

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Thanks very much Tara.

 

A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE, AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, 2 APRIL 2023

 

For this review we welcome back Stephanie Crone. Stephanie reviewed gigs for the Global Spirit Tour Project and I was delighted when she signed up for this new adventure. As you will see, she had a wonderful time at the San Antonio show. Thanks very much for this great review Stephanie and thank you for the wonderful videos and photos.

Let me begin by saying I am still on a high and on cloud-freaking-nine, now three days after the show in San Antonio. It was spectacular.

Upon entering the venue we could hear what I thought was a sound check going on – it definitely sounded like they were playing and curtains were closed tight, staff ushering us all away. But a friend told me during a stage tour he was told that sound engineers use recorded tracks to get sound equipment just right.

The evening began in the VIP room, with amazing pieces of DM history on display (apparently they are bringing this to every show, it was in Sacramento where we also had VIP). Many friendly faces in the VIP area! We visited, took photos, had some appetizers and overall just got very excited for what was to come! (Mart looks like he does NOT approve! ha!)

Luckily this was my fourth show this leg, I attended the opener in Sacramento, followed by San Jose and Las Vegas, then rounded my first leg of DM adventures out in San Antonio with a seat in the second row, Martin side, of course.

From the get-go with My Cosmos Is Mine then Wagging Tongue, it was apparent the boys had started to find their flow after getting used to being on stage again. Sacramento, although amazing, was a bit stiff, each show got better but now they are getting back on their game. The energy coming from the crowd was palpable, Texas Devotees are not messing around!

When the lights were cut the crowd rose up and cheered with anticipation as the intro to My Cosmos Is Mine pulsated from the speakers.

The crowd seemed to receive the new songs well, the album being so new many fans had not had much time to properly absorb (I am not part of those many, absorption complete by now). The fact that Mart and Dave (RIP Fletch) were sharing a stage yet again after years of anticipation, wondering if they would ever tour again, seemed to whirl collectively in the minds of the concert-goers that evening. Everyone stood back and appreciated what they were witnessing.

Next up, Walking In My Shoes. Forever a devotee favourite. Naturally, Dave sauntered over to show us his perfectly polished boots. Not much more to add, brilliant. 

It’s No Good – definite evidence that the boys are still on the very start of their tour and getting used to singing for huge crowds on the regular. Some pitch issues from Dave but do I care? Nope. All wrapped up with a bum wiggle.

And now…big sigh…..Sister Of Night. A classic for any proper devotee. I had heard Mart do this in Hollywood for the Global Spirit tour but hearing the full production with Dave’s vocals, bliss. Although, once again, we hear the pitch issues. He is obviously not used to belting out this tune (yet) but it is still breathtaking (although I can hear some idiots chit chatting away in the background, why are you here???)

Up next… In Your Room. Another favourite, although this seemed to be completely 100% resurrected from the Global Spirit tour. Same remix, same everything except the backing video. I do wish the boys would change it up a bit, there are a plethora of amazing and well-known songs to choose from so I do not understand. Nothing remarkable to add regarding this one. 

And now… my personal favourite… Everything Counts. Again, this was pretty much a re-do of the Global Spirit tour’s performance, but this one always gets me going. Mart on the keys is the best. The new backing video seemed to breathe new life (get it?) into the performance. Towards the end of the song, as most of the audience was focused on Dave doing his thing on the catwalk, I sat in front of Mart in row 2, pointing to him while chanting “Everything Counts in Large Amounts!!!” and making heart signs as I danced (okay I was screaming too, what’s a Gore girl to do?). The huge smiles he flashed my way melted my cold heart like nothing ever could again, probably. This might be my most treasured DM concert moment ever, right behind getting to meet the band in 2017 (so lucky I got to meet Fletch!).

I am thrilled to have Precious showing up on the set list this tour. It is an amazing song and I think it is really spectacular live. It was followed by Speak To Me, the third song from Memento Mori that was played tonight. Once again, the audience seemed engaged and quietly listened. 

And now, it is all about Martin. Swoon. A Question of Lust did NOT disappoint (I mean, how could it?). It was followed by the fourth song of the evening from Memento Mori, Soul With Me.  An instant classic - that voice though! 

Dave returned to the stage next and the boys performed yet another new song, the first single from Memento Mori, Ghosts Again. The audience all seemed familiar with this new tune and everyone was up and dancing. I did not snap any pictures or video of this one, must have just been taking it all in <3 

Another duplicate from the Global Spirit tour followed - I Feel You. Again, I do wish they would mix things up and play some other songs but this one is always a banger and it rocks my socks off live. 

They moved right along into A Pain That I’m Used To. Another high energy performance that did not disappoint. I rocked out. 

And now for some real emotions. World In My Eyes. Always one of my favorites and now has a deeper meaning. I held my heart as I listened and watched the boys serenade the crowd while honouring our Blesser of Devotees, Andrew Fletcher. The performance was definitely on the solemn side. Dave pausing and looking back at the screen when he would usually be preening along the stage at that point in the song. Tears were shed. Fletch you are sorely missed.

After World In My Eyes came Wrong. I adore this song and once again was taking it all in (no pics or videos of this one). I love that they are doing this one live, it is different and not as popular as some of the other choices. My favorite part is where Mart sings “too lonnnnnnnnnng”. Good stuff.

Now, back to business. Stripped. As anticipated the first notes of this song grabbed everyone’s attention and the masses were singing along. At one point Dave came over and pointed the mic to a girl in the row in front of me, she shook her head “no”! I was laughing. He stayed there anyway and I belted it out as best I could. Next up - John the Revelator. I am not sure if I had ever heard this song played live before this tour. I have always enjoyed this song. I am still trying to decide if I like the live version, but I will forever enjoy watching Mart play his star guitar and Dave’s hootin’ and hollerin’.

And now… we have arrived at Enjoy the Silence. I kind of lost it during this song, so emotional. Knowing that when it plays we are coming near the end of the show and it had just been so many years of anticipation, I did not want it to end. I sang and cried and cheered. Then cried some more and hugged my friends. Told them I was soooo fucking happy. Towards the end when Dave introduces Mart, with his drawn out “Martin…..L…… Gooooooooooooooooore”, he had made his way back over to our area and pointed the mic towards me shouting Gooooooreeee :) I did not get any pictures of this but will remember forever.

Encore time……….

I had seen some shows were getting Condemnation, others Waiting For The Night. All three shows I had seen previously were the latter so I was hoping for Condemnation, but I will take whatever these guys are handing out. Once again, no pics or video (they were behind me so…). You could absolutely hear a pin drop in that arena, such stunning harmonizing. Dave bungled the lyrics at one point but it was just a testament to the fact that Dave is human and forgets shit sometimes haha. Bows and hugs between Mart and Dave at the end and of course roaring applause. I love these guys.

Never ever thought I would hear the boys play this live - Just Can’t Get Enough. At first I was a little disappointed, this is definitely not one of my favorites and I will admittedly skip when this song comes on my playlist rotation. But the crowd went nuts and the boys freaking brought it, it was so much fun.

Now we really know things are coming to an end for the evening, time for Never Let Me Down Again. Words are very unnecessary, if you are reading this you know what’s up.

As always the show was rounded out with Personal Jesus. When I hear this song it always brings me back to the feeling of “oh no the show is almost over and that is it”. It is a strange feeling haha. Another remarkable performance from our boys. I never wanted it to end, but it did and the smile on my face has not faded yet.

And that’s a wrap. I have told friends I wish I could just permanently live in this experience. My devotee heart is so full and I cannot wait until I get to see them again this Summer and later this Fall. Depeche Mode forever and ever and ever!

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Thanks Stephanie!