It's 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
-- the Blues Brothers
Well, it was more than 106 miles to Chicago, but you catch my drift. Instead of the cigarettes, I was armed with my best friend, my 1988 Depeche Mode tour shirt, and a surly attitude made worse by both the incompent service at our pre-concert restaurant choice and an Allstate Arena security guard who clearly got off on harassing me.
Then the show started.
I hadn't been to that venue since it was the Rosemont. A dear friend of mine had Grateful Dead tickets, it was warm out, the air reeked of...well, you can guess. Last night was bitter cold and the only thing you could smell in the air was anticipation and clove cigarettes. Every major concert I've been to in the past year has been "Favorites of My Childhood Return To The Stage" (such as the Pixies, and Bauhaus), so there's an extra dimension to the usual preshow excitement. Childish glee, if you will.
On the stage: a giant silver ball with a peep-window and words which lit up according to the song: "sex," "angel," "love," "vice"...as well as UFO/donut-shaped keyboard stands for Fletch and the (sob) Alan-substitute keyboard player.
Dave Gahan was wearing his usual:
Tight black pants + suit jacket. This quickly became...
Tight black pants + leather vest, then finally...
Tight black pants + glistening six-pack + tattoos.
Fletch wore his usual glasses / Casual Dad look (not that there's anything wrong with that). All the better for his "hit keyboard key, then raise your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care" schtick. There was a live drummer. And then...there was Martin.
Oh, Martin Gore. Seventh Sartorial Wonder of the rock world. Who else can get away with wearing (among other outfits over the years) bondage gear, frilly dresses, rubber pants, black nailpolish and a curly bleached coif on stage? I submit to you last night's getup:
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Great post, Shannon. I remember first hearing Depeche in London in the early 80s. I came home (to NYC) and told people, and they were like "Duh pesh what?" I told them they'd find out, and boy they did.
Your piece brought back memories. Thanks!
2 - Neil Latham
I watched them in Birmingham UK Friday and will again tomorrow in London they are great listened when I was 11 and now 36 I still love them, I don't get laughted at anymore now!
3 - Joel Murr
The silver star guitar Martin is playing is a custom designed First Act guitar mad just for him. see: firstact.com
4 - tommyd
I saw Depeche Mode in 1990, Violator tour, at Giants Stadium and it was pretty amazing.
I just saw them again this past Saturday night at Jones Beach theater and it was BETTER!
The biggest reason I thought they were better now is that they incorporate a real drummer into the band. There was no drummer in the 1990 show.
The band sounds great. They used a pretty good, well-rounded set list. "I Feel You", "Walking In My Shoes", "In Your Room", "Suffer Well", "World in My Eyes", "Question of Time", and Martin Gore's "Judas" and "Shake The Disease" were totally and absolutely awesome.
I had only wished they had played "Lillian" from Playing the Angel. That song should've been in the set!!
5 - Angie
Fantastic review - you made me laugh out loud in agreement :)
6 - tomy
i would like some info on how to get a dvd copy of the concert of the "TOURING THE ANGEL" by DEPECHE MODE on NOV 29, 2005 chicago,ill allstate arena. i haven't had any luck finding it.if you have any info i'd appreciate it.
7 - TOMY
i know that Depeche Mode's concert on that day at the Allstate Arena in Chicago,ill on nov 29,2005 was recorded somewhere.i even at one point got to a website where they sold that concert on dvd but no longer exists. if anyone with any info on where or how to purchase that concert on dvd, i'd appreciate it. that concert brings so many good memories.