Black boots covered in feathers, black leggings, a black pleated leather kilt, black top, black feathered wings, and...oh, I couldn't even make this up: a black chullo-style hat with a giant, fuzzy wool mohawk on top, akin to a Tibetan lama's headdress. Not bad for an ex-bank teller, eh?
The setlist? Similar, if not the exact same as previous shows. Despite my previous snarky comments about Martin Gore suddenly inheriting a cache of Kraftwerk records (there's quite a few beep-boop-bop noises on the new album), his songwriting has veered away from the gospel vibe that threatened to depress half of North America for a while back into the pure rock camp.
In fact, watching Gore parade across the stage stage armed with his Gretschs during some of the guitar-heavy tunes, you'd think he was Angus Young wearing eyeliner!
(If anyone knows what star-shaped guitar Martin is playing on this tour, do tell. Looks like everything else was straight out of his Gretsch arsenal. And for the true trainspotters in the crowd see this site and the previously-linked one...they list all the equipment DM's used on recent tours, and in some cases, read like the Ageing Synthesizer Museum's gallery guide).
Speaking of equipment, let's discuss ex-heroin-overdoser Dave Gahan's fine physique, shall we?
(My vocabulary has progressed beyond "omigod! like, totally!", but in many ways I remain a 14-year-old-girl when it comes to seeing a show like this).
He's 43, he's still pumping those mike stands in the air like Henry Rollins on a weightstack bender, and whatever else he's doing to train is clearly working. Perhaps it's his dance moves, unchanged since 1980-something? I can see the workout tape now: fight fat with Dave's Whirling Dervish Workout!
It should be noted that this is the first DM album where Gahan actually shares some of the songwriting credit with Gore. I guess his Paper Monsters experience is paying off. Although I'm probably one of the most OCD-laden DM fans you'll ever meet, I was actually getting annoyed by their recent albums.
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.