Depeche Mode Concert Review

Last night was my third opportunity to see this band and for the most part, the night did not disappoint. The evenings opening band could have been left at home. The Ravenetts were incredibly bad. I would have preferred a local Detroit band to open the show. I cannot even begin to explain how horrible they were. The only song that was tolerable was merciful enough, their last song.

I was shocked at the low turnout at the Palace last night. I know D.M. has been off the radar for a while, but so was Duran Duran and that concert was sold out. Most of the upper level of the Palace was curtained off. The $84.00 a piece (includes Ticketmasternatzi fees) was probably more the issue rather than a declining fan base. Maybe the lack of radio play of the new single is to blame. The new album is incredible, but there is no place for it on American radio thanks to Clear Channel and others holding the American radiowaves hostage with their bubble gum pop. Anyway that is a different soap box for another time.

This was the first concert I have ever gone to that when I looked around I thought, this just doesn't seem like a Detroit concert. I have been to a few concerts that were on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night and the crowd always made it feel like a Saturday night. Maybe everyone was just in shock from that Goofy Azz Get Up Martin was wearing. I could not find a pic online but suffice to say that the Victoria Secret Black Angel Wings, Leather skirt, and Black Roman headdress was a sight to see.

The first half of the concert was a lil stale audience wise, but not from the band. Dave did his best Mick Jagger impersonation, Andrew Fletcher actually moved around a bit, and Martin...Well Martin was Martin. They were working it and trying to get the crowd going. I do not know who their tour drummer is (basically because Dave only introduced Fletch and Martin. We know the other keyboard player and drummer are rentals but tell us who they are Dave?) but this guy was really good. The sound at the Palace last night was incredible Props to the soundmen. Just the right mix and enough kick drum to make you feel the beat.

About halfway through, things finally kicked in with the crowd. A new song off the new album called "The Sinner In Me" was spine chilling musically, vocally, and visually. The set for this tour was space aged and simple yet it really fit the mood of the music. "sinner" was followed up by the best performance of the night, "I feel you". Finally it felt like a Detroit concert from then on. A couple of songs later "Personal Jesus" was infectious. You can tell Dave was really into it at this point. "Enjoy the Silence" followed. Dave had the crowd in a lather and in the palm of his hands. Then the band went off for the obligatory 5 minute break before the Encores. I could have done without the two second encore songs, especially the last one. My only wish is that they broke out "Master and Servant", but what can you do. All in all I would give the concert 4 out of 5 stars.

The Set List was:

Intro
A Pain That I'm Used To
John The Revelator
A Question Of Time
Policy Of Truth
Precious
Walking In My Shoes
Suffer Well
Home
I Want It All
The Sinner In Me
I Feel You
Behind The Wheel
World In My Eyes
Personal Jesus
Enjoy The Silence
encore
A Question Of Lust
Just Can't Get Enough
Everything Counts
encore #2
Never Let Me Down Again
Goodnight Lovers