Depeche Mode Live at the O2

The excitement is palpable. Every time a crewmember wanders onto the stage a loud cheer erupts. At this stage of the game Depeche Mode have put their demons to bed, and the band arrive, as promised, at 9 o’clock, kicking off with ‘In Chains’, the first track from their latest album Sounds of the Universe.

While the new music, particularly ‘Wrong’, gets a positive reaction, Depeche Mode have a huge back catalogue and that’s what most of the fans are here for. They don’t have to wait long. The Mode zip across the decades with songs like ‘It’s No Good’; ‘Question of Time’; ‘Precious’; ‘World in My Eyes’; ‘Enjoy the Silence’; and ‘Stripped’.

The band avoids anything from their first three albums, but many of the older songs have been slightly tweaked. Live drums are used throughout and Martin Gore elects to play guitar on a number of tracks giving them a slightly rockier feel.

When Gore takes over vocal duties, the crowd keeps quiet and listens. ‘Insight’ is followed by an excellent rendition of ‘Home’, which is one of the highpoints of the evening.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the Mode are not as young as they used to be. Dave Gahan doesn’t fling himself around with the same vigour of yore, and Martin Gore can just about get away with the silver suits, but they put many a band to shame with the energy and enthusiasm they bring to performing live. Two hours later, when the final notes of ‘Personal Jesus’ fade away, we leave the O2 satisfied but wanting more, and you can’t help but feel that that just the way Depeche Mode like it.