We Still Can't Get Enough
[London Evening Standard, 3rd April 2006. Words: Robin Smyth. Pictures: Angela Lubrano.]
It was back to the Eighties as Depeche Mode reopened the refurbished Wembley Arena. The venue now boasts a swish new entrance hall, acrobatic dancing fountains outside and, inside, trendy sinks, an eerie green glow and comfier and roomier new seats. But after £35 million of work has the sound improved?
Unfortunately, being so far behind the stage and speakers that I was almost on the tour bus, I was not in a position to comment on that. It certainly was loud, anyway.
This was because Depeche Mode, who started out as a chirpy synth-pop band, have long since morphed into a heavy rock behemoth, albeit with plenty of keyboards on stage.
Arguably their finest moment, Personal Jesus, is centred on nothing more futuristic than a tough, ancient blues guitar riff.
Singer Dave Gahan, whirling round the stage, tattoos gleaming with sweat, looked like a genuine rock god, someone who would be doing unspeakable things as soon as the gig was over.
Guitarist and songwriter Martin Gore, as always, was dressed more like something lurking at the back of a pet shop that would never be sold.
Both seemed to be having a marvellous time, dancing with each other, taking it in turns to strut down the ego ramp into the crowd, in sharp contrast to the guilt and pain that packed the lyrics.
Both The Sinner In Me and John The Revelator covered biblical ground over glowering synths, while Precious, the catchy highlight of the latest album Playing The Angel, saw Gahan singing mournfully of things damaged and broken.
There were some surprises – Gore performed Leave In Silence, a minor single from 1982, alone.
When the band saw fit to launch into the uncharacteristic pure pop of Just Can’t Get Enough, it was school disco all over again.
The crowd soon forgot about using the nice new chairs, which is as it should be, for Wembley’s great strength always lay in pulling in the big names. As long as the stars keep coming, those fancy fountains will just be garnish.
[London Evening Standard, 3rd April 2006. Words: Robin Smyth. Pictures: Angela Lubrano.]
It was back to the Eighties as Depeche Mode reopened the refurbished Wembley Arena. The venue now boasts a swish new entrance hall, acrobatic dancing fountains outside and, inside, trendy sinks, an eerie green glow and comfier and roomier new seats. But after £35 million of work has the sound improved?
Unfortunately, being so far behind the stage and speakers that I was almost on the tour bus, I was not in a position to comment on that. It certainly was loud, anyway.
This was because Depeche Mode, who started out as a chirpy synth-pop band, have long since morphed into a heavy rock behemoth, albeit with plenty of keyboards on stage.
Arguably their finest moment, Personal Jesus, is centred on nothing more futuristic than a tough, ancient blues guitar riff.
Singer Dave Gahan, whirling round the stage, tattoos gleaming with sweat, looked like a genuine rock god, someone who would be doing unspeakable things as soon as the gig was over.
Guitarist and songwriter Martin Gore, as always, was dressed more like something lurking at the back of a pet shop that would never be sold.
Both seemed to be having a marvellous time, dancing with each other, taking it in turns to strut down the ego ramp into the crowd, in sharp contrast to the guilt and pain that packed the lyrics.
Both The Sinner In Me and John The Revelator covered biblical ground over glowering synths, while Precious, the catchy highlight of the latest album Playing The Angel, saw Gahan singing mournfully of things damaged and broken.
There were some surprises – Gore performed Leave In Silence, a minor single from 1982, alone.
When the band saw fit to launch into the uncharacteristic pure pop of Just Can’t Get Enough, it was school disco all over again.
The crowd soon forgot about using the nice new chairs, which is as it should be, for Wembley’s great strength always lay in pulling in the big names. As long as the stars keep coming, those fancy fountains will just be garnish.