Went to see Depeche Mode with the hubby on Sept 1. DM is one of the rare groups that has been around for a long time (30 years and counting) but still manages to churn out listenable music and doesn't rely on an old back catalog for their shows. In fact it was almost disappointing not to hear the early 80s doot-doot music that Michael and I knew best (save Just Can't Get Enough, which they will have to play forever); Michael was sorely disappointed even their late 80s stuff was thin and Master and Servant was omitted. Still, I guess it's hard to pick 22 songs from 13 albums and make everyone happy. They played 6 songs from their new album, which I enjoyed though I didn't really know them. That choice had the intended effect of making me want to go listen to the whole thing, which I quite liked. Michael was also disappointed that the more upbeat (ie danceable) tunes were lacking, in favour of a few too many ballads warbled by Martin Gore while Dave Gahan went to refresh himself.
Here is the set list.
Which brings me to my real gripe - at this concert and the last we went to (Muse) although everyone had nice comfy seats that were paid for, everyone insisted on standing during the show. I really don't recall this from my youth, apart from when you heard really awesome songs you had to dance to, or if you were on the floor of the arena. For these old feet, two hours in one spot excruciating, especially since most of the songs were on the slow side. Luckily most of the audience had the same reaction to Gore's crooning, so during the slower bits everyone took a a load off. I guess I was also a bit surprised to see so many young folk (which explains the ability to stand for so long) - Michael and I had been expecting a grey headed crowd of DM contemporaries (40+), but its was all ages and everyone was enthusiastic about every song, old and new. I felt we had less claim to be there than many of the more recent fans! Relieving to feel we weren't going to see a "nostalgia" act.
The other thing that has changed since I was a young concert goer is the non-jail like atmosphere. While our bags were all checked for contraband, beer was being sold all over the place and there were rum samples being handed out. I guess someone realized instead of trying to clamp down on drunken rowdiness, they should be making a profit off it - the searches weren't to keep booze out, just the booze they weren't selling you at a 500% markup. That along with the funky food trucks parked inside made it feel like we weren't children or subject to a nanny state. Or maybe it just means promoters know were all too old to care about getting hammered at these things any more... Anyway, hooray for progress.
My final take, based on tunes, performance (very sexy BTW) and venue: 8/10.
