Mode
Take The High Road
Well it's not the Highlands, but we're glad to have our 80's Electro
Pop heroes back in Scotland, Glasgow to be precise, in the brand new
Hydro Bowl shaped Arena ( not quite Pasadena and not complaining )
By the time the Quality Electronic warm up set by one Martin L Gore
is in full swing the packed venue are shaking their stuff, the beats
build and the volume gets higher. I look up on to the balcony and see
middle age men throwing down shapes. Their ready to party like it's
1988 and so are the rest of the Masses.
Here is a taste of a Preshow warm up mix from their last tour.
I have a long history with D.M , first getting in to them in
the late 80's just in time for their Masterpiece Violator to
be released. The World Violation tour was my first live
encounter with the lads from Essex. Blown away to say the least.
Since then I was devoted to the cause and haven't missed a tour,
sometimes getting along twice and to see them in other countries.
It's an ongoing love and a disease that’s not easy to shake. (
Sorry )
DEPECHE
MODE – GLASGOW HYDRO 11/11/13
A Excerpt of Welcome to my World provides the walk on music
for the band, Lead man Dave Gahan elegantly twirling on to the stage
like a wind up ballerina. Welcome To My World ( Delta
Machine opener ) and Angel are up first. Beach Balls
and Balloons are being thrown around in the crowd creating a Carnival
atmosphere, like a Saturday night out but it's a Monday and we don't
care. “Good Evening Glasgow “ Gahan shouts.
The Electro Goth Classic from Songs of faith and Devotion Walking
in my Shoes never sounded better, though this is D.M without Alan
Wilder. Featuring the now comfortable live set up of Christian Eigner
on Drums and Peter Gordeno replacing Wilder on Keys, only Gahan, Gore
and Fletch remain from the original line up.
The set is once again supported by stunning and imaginative video's
by the visionary genius Anton Corbijn. Precious gets a montage
of cute Dog's and Heaven has a Stylish, Black /White grainy
and ghoulish vibe
Black Celebration falls a bit flat for me but is picked back
up with new single Should be Higher The visuals continue out
around the venue's middle section in a band of sparkles. The
physically fit looking Gahan work's his magic strutting and shaking
his hip's on the cat walk into the adoring crowd. The band as a whole
are on top form, this for me is the best Mode gig I've seen in
years. Policy of truth is the first tune to take us back to
Violator and the crowd are loving every minute. Before we know
it we are seven songs in and the band leave the stage.
What used to be just one man and his acoustic is now two men and a
keyboard. Gore and Gordeno remain performing a stripped back Delta
Machine's The Child Inside (not a favorite ) Then they
perform an absolute curve ball with Stripped B-Side But Not
Tonight For me the first time seeing it played live and a real
delight. The crowd carry on the melody as Dave is back conducting
along with the biggest grin.
The
full band are back, ready to unleash a driving and danceable
rendition of the paranoid road song from Music for the Masses with
Behind the Wheel
Now we know D.M have had many a tune remixed to success with
respectable nod's from the fan's and the band themselves, so much so
they released two album's worth of the best efforts. This tour they
have chosen to perform a few:
A Pain that I’m used
to ( Jaques Lu Cont's Mix )
And the
spine tingling Goldfrapp mix of Halo
http://vimeo.com/56757942
Gahan
proves age hasn't caught up with him yet performing his trade mark
360 degree spin with Mic stand in tow on A Question of Time.
Gore shows off his collection of vintage and stylish guitars
throughout in not so flamboyant attire as past tours, a waistcoat and
what looks like tartan trousers. Fletch does whatever it is Fletch
does, what that is we're not quite sure, but it works.
The
backdrop visual for Enjoy the Silence I
would describe as “Yoga gone wrong “ Mr Gahan (a man of
few words on stage ) finishes the hit single shouting “MARTIN..L..
“ and we all shout GORE!
A sleazy -
slowed down Blues riff introduces us to Personal Jesus before
a full on rampage on stage by the band. The chorus REACH OUT AND
TOUCH FAITH we all have the hands in the air hanging on to every word
from our Hero and Dave's waistcoat is finally off.
Encore
A return of Gore and Gordeno for another surprise Shake the
Disease. Just as we are thinking we can't get enough we get, you
guessed it? Just can't get Enough receives many a appreciative
cheer from the packed venue. Even the band look like their enjoying
playing the 80's pop classic.
I'm guessing what the next tune will be and I’m not wrong, it's
back to the Devotional days of hedonism and near death with the
Storming dirty blues stomp of I Feel You. The backdrop a
silhouette of a female D.J with full decks. Looking round the place
is jumping like a House club night and only one song is left that
unifies a D.M crowd , they don't let us down. Anyone who has ever
been to a Depeche Mode gig knows what's coming. Mid song the
whole of the Hydro is arms aloft swaying back and forth to the
hypnotic John Carpenter synth style of Never let me down
again. It's a beautiful and uplifting sight.
For some a night of nostalgia and for many, like myself who have
followed and grown along with the colourful career of Depeche Mode
are here to salute their long lost friends ( maybe not so lost
now) It's a celebration but not so black. With new tunes sitting
right at home along with the classics, it's a joyous occasion, all
feeling the love among the current line up. We can only hope they'll
continue making relevant and inspirational Electronic music. As a fan
of 80's bands , It was a pleasure to experience a iconic treasure,
who are not just walking in old shoes.
Set
List
- Welcome to my world
- Angel
- Walking in my shoes
- Precious
- Black Celebration
- Should be higher
- Policy of truth
- The Child Inside
- But Not Tonight
- Heaven
- Behind The Wheel
- A Pain That I'm Used To ( Jacques Lu Cont's Remix )
- A Question Of Time
- Enjoy The Silence
- Personal Jesus
- ENCORE: Shake The Disease
- Halo ( Goldfrapp Mix )
- Just Can't Get Enough
- I Feel You
- Never Let Me Down Again
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