Depeche Mode: Concert Review

British Electropop Legends Play Two Nights at Madison Square Garden

Aug 19, 2009

Following their latest release, Sounds of the Universe, Depeche Mode embarked on a "Tour of the Universe" flaunting both new material and fan-favorites.

Following tepid critical reviews of Depeche Mode's latest, Sound of the Universe (2009), the band embarked on a world tour; Ambitious in scope, the band flew to far-flung corners of the globe to deliver music to fans everywhere. Appropriately, Depeche Mode took up a sold out two-night residency at New York's very own, Madison Square Garden.

Opening Act

Peter Bjorn and John opened the night with a concise set list that included some new material as well as songs with fan-recognition that succeeded in getting some audience members clapping and riled up for the nights headliner.

The band's sound can best be described as "indie rock" for lack of a better word; the general sound of these musicians was mellow with some pulsing electronic undertones. Originating from Sweden, the band brought some cultural flare fitting for a tour of the universe.

Depeche Mode Headline

Progenitors of electronic music, synthpop legends Depeche Mode took the stage in style - David Gahan adorned with silver-lined black pants and a blazer the band cued up the first track from Sounds of the Universe, "In Chains." This cryptic song set the proper tone for what promised to be a typical Depeche Mode experience: dark, gloomy, and yet somehow insanely catchy.

The mood was further acheived through extravagant lightning and three enormous LCD screens positioned behind the band members. Throughout the set, a range of surreal videos and experimental artistic videos played in the background. This created a dense layering of mediums that created a layered music experience for fans.

As the night went on David Gahan stripped of his jacket, and then vest, until he was shirtless; a staple moment for devoted Depeche Mode fans. Through the swarm of thousands of fans bodies swayed, pulsed, and danced along to the dark sounds of synthpop veterans.

Depeche Mode Set List

1st Encore

2nd Encore

Depeche Mode Sound

The band sounded great; and the set list incorporated a fair amount of new and old material. The bands performance of "In Your Room" stuck out as a particularly powerful track that is sometimes overlooked on its physical recording.

"I Feel You" was also a bold performance, guitars were heavy and crunchy, creating an impact that was enhanced in a live setting. To close the night the band played "Personal Jesus," arguably the bands most popular song to date, featuring an extended guitar solo from Martin Gore.

For the last song of the night, Gore and Gahan approached the forefront of the stage and performed a haunting duet of the eerie track, "Waiting For the Night".

The copyright of the article Depeche Mode: Concert Review in Pop Music is owned by Todd Christopher Petty. Permission to republish Depeche Mode: Concert Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.