Like the Manic Street Preachers and Suede back in the day, Depeche Mode are one of those bands who are a cause, a belief system unto themselves. The frankly disturbing levels of fanaticism they inspire is evidenced by the fact that this gig has been sold out for months, that a handful of fans have been queuing outside the venue since quarter to nine this morning, and that on the way in I spot a group of grown men wearing robes and crowns a la Dave Gahan in the ‘Enjoy The Silence’ video.
Bona fide cult icons they may be but, regrettably, before a note is even played, straight away I have to deduct points for the wardrobe and stage décor. Martin Gore is modelling a Mad Max refugee ensemble (complete with feathers) and sporting what is rapidly becoming a trademark black tea-cosy atop his head, while Andy Fletcher and his fellow keyboardist are playing behind what I can only describe as giant metal donuts.
Dodgy though the clothing and industrial stage design may be, as you would expect from a band who enlist Anton Corbijn to shoot all their videos and album sleeves, the big screen visuals are excellent; recurring grainy, atmospheric shots of the band, slo-mo footage of an eerie red avian figure during ‘Walking In My Shoes’ and a crucifix dangling in front of the camera for ‘Personal Jesus’.
Stand-out numbers include ‘Behind The Wheel’ (Iggy Pop’s ‘The Passenger’ relocated to the neon-lit backstreets of Blade Runner), the Gore-sung ‘Home’ (the warm ambient wash of which makes me understand what DJ Shadow meant when he said DM were the band who taught him that electronic music could be emotional) and the magnificent track that inspired one of the all time great music videos, ‘Enjoy The Silence’.
Gahan jokes self-deprecatingly on the 101 documentary commentary about ‘Never Let Me Down Again’ sounding like Wagner, but the sight of the entire crowd waving their hands in unison during the song’s overpowering orchestral surge (which closes the set) is a sight to behold. Departing to tumultuous cheers and standing ovations on the balconies, the message to the band from the audience is clear – we just can’t get enough.