Depeche Mode Singles Tour Diaries

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Singles Tour Diaries

The first diary, for the Devotional/Exotic tour, was released through DM's Bong magazine. The Singles tour saw both a diary (by Jez Webb) for Bong magazine as well as a tour diary for Depechemode.com. The Exciter Tour and Tour Of The Universe also had tour diaries published on the official site. The Delta Machine tour saw eight tour reports posted in the news section. Dave Gahan's solo tour in 2003 also had its tour diary, written by its live band members. All other tours by Depeche Mode (or solo) did not have tour diaries.

Jody Hardy was a member of the touring staff of Depeche Mode's Singles 86>98 tour, taking care of press & promotion. She wrote tour a diary for the Singles Tour, while Daniel "BRAT" Barassi, Depechemode.com's webmaster, wrote diary entries for the last couple of concerts which took place in California. The entries were uploaded on Depechemode.com.

Jez Webb, guitar technician for Martin Gore since 1993, has written a tour diary for the European leg of the tour for Bong magazine issue #40, which was published in June 1999.

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Tartu, Estonia (Tartu Song Fest Grounds)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 2nd, 1998
We got on our private plane for the first time today, and it was a little bumpy towards the end, but it was ok...we survived. I was a bit worried, but our air hostess (Eva), was wonderful. We came to the gig. The guys did the "Meet & Greet", which was very polite. The fans here are very polite. They come up and have their pictures signed, and they kinda get to the background. I'm sure it won't be quite the same in other places.

There were 12,000 fans here tonight, and they were absolutely mental! They were chanting "Depeche Mode" a half hour before the band went on stage! Dave and the band were brilliant.

It was six degrees here, and it's freezing out there. It's totally and utterly freezing. It's outdoors, it's cold, and there's smoke in the air when you breathe out.

 

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Blog #2: Riga, Latvia (Lielupe Tennis Hall)
Riga, Latvia (Lielupe Tennis Hall)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 3rd, 1998

When we arrived in Latvia (on Tuesday), they were over 100 fans waiting for us at the airport. They screamed when David, Martin and Fletch walked off of the plane. They even screamed (in anticipation) when Jonathon Kessler (DM's Manager) ducked his head out before the band walked out!

I found out later that a week ago, when The Rolling Stones arrived in Latvia, they only had two journalists waiting for them, and that was it. No fans - no nothing.

The band did a "Meet & Greet" before the show, and were presented with a Gold Record award, because they have sold more records than any other artist in Latvia.

It had been raining non-stop in Latvia. The only two days of sunshine that they have had started the day we arrived.

 

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Blog #3: Moscow, Russia (day off)
Moscow, Russia (day off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 4th, 1998

We arrived in Moscow today, and there were a lot of fans at the airport waiting for us. The fans followed us (in their cars) from the airport, all the way to the hotel (sticking their heads outside their cars - while driving - and screaming). Now, they're waiting outside the hotel. The second they see Fletch, Martin or Dave, they start screaming at the top of their lungs.

The band will be catching up with their old friend Flood in St. Petersburg on Monday (he is currently staying in St. Petersburg).

 

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Blog #4: Moscow, Russia (Olympiski Stadium)
Moscow, Russia (Olympiski Stadium)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 5th, 1998

We did the concert tonight in Moscow. It was a huge success. The fans in the front actually broke down the barricades, so the Army was called in (in combat gear) to form a human barricade between the fans and the stage! On the way to the gig, we unfortunately had to stop at every traffic light. At every stop, fans would come and scream at the van we were in. One car full of fans even had a Russian bear in the back seat, ducking his head out at us. Also, the band did interviews for MTV Russia (which should launch soon), as well as for WTN, which should go out on worldwide circuit.

 

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Blog #5: Moscow, Russia (day off)
Moscow, Russia (day off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 6th, 1998

We got into the van, and basically drove around Moscow. We went to see the Kremlin, Red Square, and we also went to a museum. We got to learn about the history of Russia, as well as see things like Faberge Eggs, et cetera.

 

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Blog #6: St. Petersburg, Russia (SKK Sport Complex Arena)
St. Petersburg, Russia (SKK Sport Complex Arena)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 7th, 1998

There were 19,000 screaming fans in the arena (more than capacity). Also, Flood came to the gig (just as a friend) to check out the boys. He is currently staying in St. Petersburg.

 

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Blog #7: Helsinki, Finland (Hartwall Arena)
Helsinki, Finland (Hartwall Arena)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 9th, 1998

Andy Franks, the tour manager for Depeche Mode, had his computer stolen while the band was in St. Petersburg. He is asking the fans of Depeche Mode to help him find his computer, which has personal info about the band on it. If you are traveling through St. Petersburg, or in Moscow, and are offered a computer directly from Depeche Mode, please make the person a large offer, and immediately contact the webmaster of depechemode.com. You will be rewarded!

This morning we flew to Helsinki in our private plane (we now have Swiss chocolate on-board the plane!). Andy Franks was in the cockpit today, driving the plane (not!). He was bossing the pilots around, got on the P.A., and started saying "Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking...".

The band did another "Meet & Greet", as well as a quick interview with Q magazine (a two-page live spread for the October issue). The Q photographer was taking loads of pictures of the concert. The guys from Q thought the concert was brilliant!

The fans of Helsinki went crazy tonight, singing along to every word of every song. We will be going to our hotel after the show (haven't even had the time to see it yet).

 

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Blog #8: Helsinki, Finland (day off)
Helsinki, Finland (day off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 10th, 1998

*This is the webmaster speaking for Jody today*

Not much of a diary today due to Jody working on her day off, but she wants everyone to send their best wishes to the crew of the Depeche Mode tour, who are suffering with the stomach flu at the moment.

 

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Blog #9: Copenhagen, Denmark (The Valby Multi Hall)

Copenhagen, Denmark (The Valby Multi Hall)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 11th, 1998
Arrived a little late in Copenhagen due to problems getting clearance for the flight path - the skies looked pretty clear to us though. Managed to make it to the venue in time to have a quick soundcheck and then onto the press conference. The press conference was extremely well received and there were approximately 80 journalists/TV persons there. Most excellent.

The venue was a new one and we were the first people to perform there. It was full to capacity, over 12,000 people who all went extremely mad. It was the best concert so far and as usual Depeche were brilliant.

Mr. Franks is now up and running with his new computer - special thanks to Apple, however we are still looking for the original and any leads on its whereabouts please pass on.

We need to give double special thanks to Apple, who so far with all our inevitable computer problems, have been fantastic - they rock.

Lastly aftershow we went on to catch Tim DJ'ing at the Country Club, very deep, but cool.

We are off to Gothenburg today, flying this afternoon.

By the way...the crew are feeling much better today.

 

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Blog #10: Gothenburg, Sweden (Scandinavium)
Gothenburg, Sweden (Scandinavium)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 12th, 1998

Played Gothenburg last night, DM rocked.

The live reviews the band are receiving are better than the best. The feeling is that the band look fantastic, sound fantastic and basically are fantastic. One local paper described them (a direct translation) as "fresh young horses coming out in the spring".

We are leaving for Stockholm today, last of the Scandinavian gigs before going onto Prague..... Andy and Martin are doing some promotion this afternoon with ZTV (national tv station) who are making a one hour special on DM for broadcast on the 28th September (in Swedish of course) and Aftonbladet (biggest daily newspaper).

 

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Blog #11: Stockholm, Sweden (The Globe)
Stockholm, Sweden (The Globe)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 13th, 1998

Sorry about the delayed entry for Stockholm, it was just that we travelled and gigged three days in a row, at the end of which I went to Emma B's birthday (the supermodel - who is a lovely person) and then collapsed in the early hours.

However having said that, it must be said that the fans in Stockholm were the best, the response was incredible and being the first time on this tour that the band had done three gigs in a row their support was extremely well received.

 

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Blog #12: Prague, Czech Republic (Day Off)
Prague, Czech Republic (Day Off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 14th, 1998

We left Stockholm this after, and had a long flight (2.5 hours) to Prague. We got here, and now everyone has gone to a local restaurant.

Last night, Anton Corbijn was taking photos of the show.

We don't envy the crew at the moment. They are driving 936 miles from Stockholm to Prague!

We have our gig tomorrow in the beautiful city of Prague tomorrow.

 

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Blog #13: Prague, Czech Republic (Sports Hall)
Prague, Czech Republic (Sports Hall)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 15th, 1998

The gig in Prague was fantastic, the band were in top form and the performance was one of their best so far. The audience reaction (all 16,000 of them) was brilliant, with fans singing along to all the songs.

Tim S. DJ'd at a club later called Roxy, where he played an excellent set and packed the dance floor.

We are leaving for Vienna this afternoon for the gig there and then straight onto Berlin.

 

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Blog #14: Vienna, Austria (Stadhalle)
Vienna, Austria (Stadhalle)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 16th, 1998
well we are now firmly esconsed in Berlin after a hair raising ride to the airport. We had to get there by midnight after the amazing (is there any other type with this band?) gig otherwise our plane would not be allowed to take off. Anyhow we lost the convoy so our driver proceeded to drive faster than the speed of sound only (and probably inevitably) to get stopped by the police who gave us a speeding ticket (happens all the time apparently).

Anyhow then we continued to speed along the autobahn (despite the ticket) and then got to the airport in time for the electronic gate onto the runway to start shutting. Our driver decided that he would make this and proceeded to put his foot down even more (it was going through the floor at this point) to try and get us through the gate before it closed completely.

To cut a long story short we were definitely not going to make it, but our driver did not realise this until we were at the gate whereupon he slammed on the brakes and we were nearly catapulted to the plane.

Great journey.

Going out for dinner tonight to a local restaurant - meant to be quite an experience.

 

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Blog #15: Berlin, Germany (Waldbuhne)
Berlin, Germany (Waldbuhne)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 18th, 1998

It was a long journey from the hotel to the gig, but we did get to go through the Brandenburg date, and cross over the red line (which used to be "the wall"). That was quite good on the sightseeing side.

The venue is fantastic in Berlin. It didn't rain (which is good, considering that it was an outdoor gig). The gig went off - it was totally nuts.

 

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Blog #16: Berlin, Germany (Day Off)
Berlin, Germany (Day Off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 21st, 1998

DM performed two shows back to back in Waldbuhne, a fantastic venue in Berlin. The shows were incredible, and there are some pictures to prove it. Sold out over the two nights with 21,000 people each night. We then travelled to Erfurt on Sunday for another show, which again was great and here are even more pictures to prove it.

After a day off (for most) in Berlin we are flying to Brussels tomorrow and then back to Germany for a gig in Stuttgart.

 

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Blog #17: Stuttgart, Germany (Day Off)
Stuttgart, Germany (Day Off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: September 24th, 1998

Can't remember my last entry. However DM played a great gig in the Forest in Brussels, the reviews of which read that Dave Gahan was received as a God by the Belgian crowd. Also another one was that the delivery of 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy the Silence' were so powerful that DM nearly set the venue on fire.

We are on our way to Zurich today, followed by Bologna and then Milan. Life is good.

 

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Blog #18: Cologne, Germany (Koln Arena)
Cologne, Germany (Koln Arena)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: October 6th, 1998

First of all I must apologise for the lateness in my diary. Last week in the UK was hectic, massive guests lists, interviews, meet and greets and of course fantastic shows.

Wembley was great (both nights) and many famous people came to see the band's performance including Stephen Hawkins! The shows were both a sell out and the audience sang along to all the songs. Dave was on great form and sounding fantastic.

We then travelled up to Manchester (took 5 hours due to motorway roadworks) and again a great time was had by all. Left on Saturday for Birmingham and the show was attended by families and relatives. Again sell out, again fantastic.

After a much needed day off on Sunday we flew to Cologne yesterday and played in a brand new venue, the Koln Arena. We were the first international band to play there - all went extremely well. MTV filmed the whole show and were most pleased. They will be editing their footage down to make two specials which should be aired on MTV soon!

The band has just gone to Number One with their album in Germany and Anna from the record company will be presenting them with a huge cake in the shape of a No. 1 and in the colours of the album. I will take pictures tonight for proof!

We will be off to Paris tomorrow after our second show in Cologne tonight and will be doing off to Paris for a press conference and show tomorrow and then a most fantastic day off there. Hope the weather holds up.

Quite funny incident with security at the Koln Arena venue last night where Steph and Em (caterers extraordinnaire) were asked to be quiet in the backstage corridor as the band were on stage??! ok, no problem. All is well and all are well - will write again soon

 

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Blog #19: Frankfurt, Germany (Day Off)
Frankfurt, Germany (Day Off)
author: Jody Hardy
date posted: October 12th, 1998

Everything is going extremely well. We returned to Germany after a very successful gig in Paris. This week, we have done six shows in seven days - not bad going. The crowds as always have been great and the shows even greater.

It just keeps getting better.

Played in Frankfurt last night, now everyone has a day off then tomorrow we fly to Munich then onto Spain for three more gigs. Then we take America........

Mr. Andy Franks, our fantastic tour manager, was presented with a beautiful Rolex watch tonight. It was from the band, and the German tour promoter, because he is doing an incredible, fantastic job...and we love him.

Prior to the gig in Frankfurt last night, there was the World Table Football Championship, between the band, and the crew. The playing led to a gritty final, between Christian Eigner (the drummer), and Flo Guenand (wardrobe/production tech). After a tense 5-10 minute match, Flo won (for the girls), beating Christian with a score of 10 to 9. Although Martin and Fletch are incredibly good at table football, the girls won.