Supersweet

Depeche Mode

O2 Arena, London: 20 February 2010

With a legacy of hit albums and a legion of fans worldwide, Depeche Mode are undoubtedly the kings of electro-pop. In one of the final dates of their epically titled Tour of the Universe, a tour sadly marred by frontman David Gahans' ill health, the audience wait with much anticipation for a band returning to the UK in their third decade together.

Uncomfortably aware of the near-Siberian climate in O2’s cavernous arena, our spirits could do with a serious lift; and swiftly on cue, support act Nitzer Ebb promptly emerge in a blaze of machine-like drums and testosterone-fuelled synths. Sounding like a catwalk in a steelworks, they charm the crowd with minimal industrial beats and furiously chanted primal lyrics, leaving the cold long forgotten by the time they depart the stage.

Formed by a mix of mature fans in faded tour shirts from decades past and a youthful generation finally putting faces to the long-known band, the audience call for Depeche Mode and in a burst of brilliant light they emerge silhouetted, opening with ‘In Chains’ from 2009’s Sounds of the Universe. With an irresistibly physical beat, the venue itself seems to move, shifting in rhythm with the unfolding electronic drama. Gahan cuts a commanding figure gyrating slowly alongside Martin Gore, dazzlingly clad in a metallic suit, framed by images of faces on the screen behind them, honouring the generation-spanning crowd.

The O2 is often criticized for taking the soul out of the music, both acoustically and spiritually, but there is no danger of sounding lightweight here; they sound crisp and clear, demonstrated by the sonic impact of ‘Wrong’ and ‘Hole to Feed’. Rewinding their history, they begin plucking songs from their extensive library; particular highlights being effervescent performances of ‘Behind the Wheel’, ‘Policy of Truth’, decorated by the sudden appearance of a thousand balloons and the unsettling ‘Walking in my Shoes’.

In a standout extended version of ‘Enjoy the Silence’ Gahan strides down the catwalk to stand isolated, looking vulnerable and exposed amongst the encroaching crowd before thrusting his crotch defiantly while Gore plays scratchy guitar riffs over the provocative scene. It’s a confident performance honed after decades of playing together that only true musicians are capable of, so taking to the stage alone, Gore further punctuates the evening with solo performances of “Freelove” and “Home.”

It’s during the brooding synth and imposing beats of heroin-conquering anthem ‘Never Let Me Down Again’ that Gahan strips off his waistcoat, aptly flaunting his tattoos to lyrics inspired by the scars of addiction and reminding the audience of his mortality; here stands a man with more near death experiences than we've had hot dinners. Finishing with the ever-captivating ‘Personal Jesus’, a song that just doesn’t seem to age, Depeche show, quite clearly, why they’ve been called one of the greatest pop acts of all time.

Words: Lewis Anderson
Photography: Minh Le