Depeche Mode, and Dave Gahan in particular have always had an androgonous decadence, a nihilistic 'bring it on' essence. At the O2 they proved undiminished in desire, in inspiration, in energy...in any respect. Having never seen them live before, I was expecting a harder, clubbier, techno and house influenced edge to the gig, but instead they stayed beat perfect to the original versions of everything old and new.
Whereas their early records, like (nearly) all music of the 80's, nowadays sound a little thin, the live show has been brought up to date with a fatter, fuller production and truly impressive visual set. Indeed the graphics were perfectly balanced to the music; constantly interesting and varied to the point of almost distracting from the music. (Graphic's highlight was the super-saturated, infinite feedback live video behind "Hole to Feed").
Their sound is pure pop ... made as deep and heavy as it's possible to go, but keeping the groove and without getting lost in tuneless dirge. One can imagine Britney pouting and body popping her way through "A Question of Time", but DM take it down to the diesel-stained gutter. In comparison with their 80's peers, they're more successful artistically than the derivative Echo and the Bunnymen, more elegant and worldly than the Cure and less hopelessly alienated than the Smiths. They're more rock 'n roll than closest cousins New Order, and they're darker and heavier than the cultured adult pop of Tears for Fears. There's a shared sense of that 80's pop-rock sex-god thing that Hutchence did with INXS.
I'd forgotten, I think most people do, quite how huge they really are and quite how fantastic their music can be. It's a very high quality show, completely faultless really, and still there are dozens of great tracks they didn't have time for. In fact my only complaint - it could've easily been another 2 hours longer.
They opened with the first three from "Sounds of the Universe", and in the context of the live show the new music works well, sonically and thematically seamless, but with a slightly slower pace that allows space for the more sophisticated rhythm harmony of the work. Later there's a version "Miles Away/The Truth is" also from the album, but the set as a whole broadly spans their career.
Gore's solo numbers have a reflective melancholy a rock cabaret reminiscent of a less outre Freddie Mercury. He has a fine voice in his own right, amply demonstrated in a moving rendition of "Home" with just piano for backing. For me, with his intelligently executed, controlled guitar, keys and strong vocalsm, he is the star of the group, he injects the magic.
After the poignant "Home", they drop into the more rock end of the catalogue, but avoiding the macho they maintain the ambigious sexuality; Gahan topless, lean, tatooed... Gore in his chrome suit and metallic make-up.
The highlights are bracketed around the encore, they close the first set with a monstrous, heavy "Never Let Me Down Again", and then come back for a red-hot, taught and sexy trio "Stripped", "Behind the Wheel" and "Personal Jesus".
Besides the self-evident declaration of their staying power and consistency what's most impressive live, is the balance of the group. It's utterly transparent that the three core members collaborate equally in the music. Very little is said during the show, each is completely focussed on their individual jobs, perfectly in time and aware of each other and taking an honest pride in the quality of their craft. When Gore takes the centre stage to sing lead, Gahan has quietly, respectfully gone from sight - there's no clash of personalities or barely submerged grudges that might be expected from a group with so many years together.
Long may they prosper.
setlist - O2 Arena, London, Weds 16th Dec 2009
recommended: Singles 81-98
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