Basildon`s finest arrive in the UK`s second city on the second night of the forth leg of a thirty one date tour of Europe as part of their Memento Mori World Tour which began in March 2023 in the United States. The band`s last album, their fifteenth, `Memento Mori` was released in March 2023 as the tour began and the title translates as “an object kept as a reminder of the inevitability of death, such as a skull”. Sadly, founding member of the band, keyboard wizard Andrew Fletcher passed away in May 2022 so tonight would be an interesting and emotional evening.
Lights dim as vocalist Dave Gahon, and guitarist, keyboardist, and chief songwriter Martin Gore, are joined by touring members Christian Eigner on drums and Peter Gordeno on bass and keyboards and share a couple of numbers off the latest release with the intense `My Cosmos Is Mine` and equally introspective `Wagging Tongue`. The almost biblical `Walking in My Shoes` follows along with `It’s No Good` and `In Your Room` before the potency is lifted with the classic `Everything Counts` from 1983 with Gahon and Gore trading vocals as this nigh on fifteen thousand strong crowd ignites.
The thoughtful `Precious` and recent `Speak to Me` taper expectations before we enjoy a superb acoustic timeout with Martin Gore stepping forward to share and sing acoustic versions of `Strangelove` and `Heaven` which he wrote. I have to say I was really impressed as to his tenor vocal range on these numbers.
The starkly beautiful `Ghosts Again` is presented in front of a projected backdrop of Martin and Dave dressed in grim reaper hoods playing chess before the dark and dangerous `I Feel You` rings out. `World in My Eyes` is offered in front of a giant screen with images of Andrew Fletcher`s face and is dedicated to his memory, once completed.
The home straight includes the delightfully dark `Black Celebration`, `John the Revelator`, questioning `Stripped`, before closing out with the haunting melodies of `Enjoy the Silence`.
We don`t have to wait too long before the quartet reappear and share a four song encore beginning with the evocative `Waiting For The Night` before sending this crowd into a frenzy with `Just Can’t Get Enough` as Dave twists and turns on stage like a whirling dervish. Fan favourite `Never Let Me Down Again` rings out before the show concludes with `Personal Jesus` as song so good that even Johnny Cash chose to cover it. It`s a number that really has to be experienced live and always feels like a religious or spiritual occurrence or phenomenon.
I have to say I saw Depeche Mode six years ago and wasn`t too sure as what to expect since founder member Andrew Fletcher`s passing but tonight was, in my opinion, even better than last time.
The set is ever changing and really well thought out with sprinklings of old, new, hits, oddities, and an acoustic segment.
The passing of Andrew Fletcher seems to have garnered a solidary and camaraderie between the remaining members who ensure their fallen comrade is never far from their thoughts.
If you get the opportunity to catch the band on this tour, grasp it with both hands. It will not disappoint.
Photos courtesy of Keith Pearce
