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The grand arch takes center stage as part of Depeche Mode’s tour design. The large M symbolizes Memento Mori, the name of their highly praised 2023 record, which is seen as a comeback to their previous success. However, the significant M also represents Mode. Just two years ago, the band faced a crisis after the death of founding member and keyboardist Andrew Fletcher from a heart attack. Interestingly, much of the new album’s focus on mortality had already been written by primary songwriter Martin Gore before Fletcher’s passing.
Depeche Mode is currently in their second year of a global tour, delivering powerful performances that showcase our flawed human nature. During the first night of leg four, the band brings an energetic and passionate show. Lead singer Dave Gahan impresses with his strong vocals and frequent spinning, while his stylish shirt cuffs bring to mind those of the Damned’s Dave Vanian, but with a more high-end fashion designer.
Rephrased: Gore, with his signature mohawk and black nail polish, alternates between keyboards and a semi-acoustic guitar on stage. He is joined by Peter Gordeno on keys and Christian Eigner on drums, who may overdo it with flashy fills. The concert takes a while to include a true reminder of mortality, with large projections of glitter-covered skulls (a nod to Damien Hirst) spinning during their performance of “Enjoy the Silence” from the 1990 album Violator, adorned with the word “enjoy”.
Instead of relying on heavy symbolism, the song takes an unexpected turn tonight as it progresses from a New Order-esque tune to a house piano rave breakdown, which could have lasted even longer. The visuals for Everything Counts effectively convey the song’s powerful message against greed. The video features a mime with white, gloved hands, acting out the lyrics in a creative and artistic manner, similar to a sign language interpreter.
The two hours of Mode music that plays out on the Greenwich peninsula, just 30 miles from the band’s native Basildon, rewards fans with a retrospective from across the band’s eras, from start to end. In with the new: the song Ghosts Again may have taken top billing as Memento Mori’s calling card, but tonight the machine hydraulics of set opener My Cosmos Is Mine and the clean lines of My Favourite Stranger stand prouder.
Depeche Mode also moves on from their old material. Lead singer Gahan asks, “Are you ready to have some fun?” during the encore. This leads into the 1981 hit “Just Can’t Get Enough,” which was originally written when Vince Clarke was still part of the band. The song is given a new spin with added polyrhythms, showcasing the band’s talent for synth-pop. While in the US, Depeche Mode gained fame as electronic rock icons, their hometown of SE10 remembers their earlier days when they were compared to Spandau Ballet with a darker edge.
What we are currently observing is not just a guaranteed collection of the band’s best hits, but also a real-time game of rock Jenga. What occurs when a support is removed from a structure? The remaining pieces either bear the weight or collapse. Essentially, it is like starting construction all over again. Throughout this album campaign, it has been evident that the decision to move forward has strengthened the bond between Gore and Gahan, who have spent decades maintaining a distant relationship through Fletcher as a mediator.
Between 1981 and 2005, Gore was the only one writing songs for the band after founder member Clarke left. The tension between Depeche Mode’s two key members, who live on opposite sides of the US, led to Alan Wilder leaving in 1995. Both Gore and Gahan struggled with alcohol and heroin addiction, and Gahan also faced multiple near-death experiences, which further complicated their relationship.
The newly minted power of two is borne out tonight by the affection and bonhomie the survivors show each other. There are broad smiles and praise from Gahan for Gore’s “beautiful, angelic tones” after a couple of Gore-fronted numbers; backslaps throughout and hugs at the end. Fletcher is remembered – as a giant, subtly morphing black and white image – when the band play World in My Eyes, his favourite Depeche Mode song.
The large letter M on the proscenium could also represent Martin. Gore puts down his instruments to perform a heartfelt, stripped-down version of the 1987 track Strangelove, with only Gordeno accompanying him. He then continues with Heaven, a song from 2013 that faintly reminds listeners of Portishead’s Glory Box. Both songs offer a break from the usual themes of Default Mode: intense brooding about love, faith, and temptation.
If their set closer, Personal Jesus, covers that middle ground, two other canon highlights hold up the ends. Never Let Me Down Again is a compelling portrait of dependence that leads to a bout of manic arm waving from the crowd. Most assured of all, though, is I Feel You, from 1993’s Songs of Faith and Devotion – an unrelenting love track that swings at the same time. More than any other tune, new or old tonight, it captures Depeche Mode’s enduring lust for life.
Source: theguardian.com
