Depeche Mode at the O2 Arena

The boys from Basildon take over the O2 Arena, never missing a beat, giving other legendary acts a run for their money.

Industrial electronic music plays before the band come on stage, to expected rapturous applause. The beloved group formed in 1980, with original members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore still present. Gahan comes in last, bowing on his haunches, already quite the showman. The band is silhouetted during the first of an epic set, My Cosmos Is Mine, and there’s a clear sense of thrill in the air, while an M is being outlined on the back screen, a symbol for their world tour, Memento Mori.

Effortlessly playing a very different genre of song with Wagging Tongue, and pleasing the crowd who are up on their feet through Walking in My Shoes, there is no doubt how adroitly and effortlessly the ensemble play. Sexy number It’s No Good feels like cruising down a road in Miami Vice or Grand Theft Auto; if there is one theme running tonight, it’s sensuality, credit to Gahan who is a joy to observe. Intriguing footage shows donkeys on a beach with azure waters and sky; arbitrary but still cool. The stage is set up with two sets of keyboards and drums, the original members joined by skilled musicians Christian Eigner and Peter Gordeno. Gahan is clearly enjoying himself, dancing with his mic stand, his gyrating hips spinning more times than you can count – there is a clear inspiration from Presley, Prince and James Brown.

There are striking highlights from the set that seemed to flash by in the blink of an eye, as only the best concerts do. Gore sings on Strangelove, a beautiful rendition, with the stage lights creating angel wings; Heaven is also a gorgeous ballad. A homage to Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal sees the duo reenact its famous chess scene during Ghosts Again, highly irresistible with its smooth synthesiser goodness. The electrifying beats in A Pain That I’m Used To (Jacques Lu Cont Remix) get the lively crowd going even more, while the stunning World in My Eyes is dedicated to former bandmate Andrew Fletcher.

Surprise track Stripped, is very well received, their performance only strengthening as hit single Enjoy the Silence takes the arena by storm. Depeche Mode are on singular top form, sounding as full of verve as they did over three decades ago.

Selina Begum
Photos: Guifré de Peray

For further information and future events visit Depeche Mode’s website here.

Watch the video for the single My Favourite Stranger here: