Depeche Mode Delta Machine Tour Manchester Phones 4 U Arena 15.11.13

Depeche Mode Delta Machine Tour

Manchester Phones 4 U Arena Vip Early Entry Guest 15.11.13

 

So long has it been since I have caught 'Depeche Mode'  Live,I've missed 2 tours due to timing, they don't Tour here often and they like to take about 4 years recording albums, so when I heard that 'The Mode' were coming to Manchester on the Delta Machine Tour, I went a step further and applied for VIP Early Entry guest treatment which basically means to pick a place for yourself on the floor and go in before the General admission standing queue, I knew it would be worth it, perfect!.

 

There Are only 28 of us for this show on the VIP list,we get a special commemorative tour gift (A Branded Memory Stick in metal case) we are allowed in from 5.50pm (yeah I know its only a 10 minute headstart but I'll take it) I pick a spot between 'Dave' and 'Martin's mics on stage.

 

The show begins at 8pm with support act 'The Jezabels' (I've seen them before but I cant remember who they supported) they're really good, they hail from 'Australia' they have a very good Electro Indie U.K. sound,they are the first real good support band fronted by a female singer that I've really sat up and listened to, the songs are catchy and the atmosphere and vibe spot on ,good choice to support 'The Mode'.

 

At 9-15pm ,I almost can't believe I'm here, the crowd are getting excited some fans follow them from everywhere all over Europe including Spain ,Sweden,Italy,Chec Republic,Germany etc.. already chanting 'Depeche Mode' numerous times before they get on the stage, I can't resist but to join in !!.

 

 

The lights go down, the band walk on from the right of the stage Andy Fletcher goes over to the keyboards,Touring Drummer and Guitarist, followed by 'Martin Gore' and The man 'Dave Gahan',he storms over to the mic and the first track kicks in.. 'Welcome To My World', 'Dave' is wearing skinny trousers and a Metallic glittery waistcaoat with over jacket,his hair is shorter than I've seen before.

 

 He stalks the stage commanding the attention of he crowd,martin is wearing Chequered trouser Punk style of course and he has like a chain mail decoration in silver wrapped round the back giving him a medeival punk makeover ,Andy stands with arms in various shape to get the crowd involved with their arms up,they follow this by 'Angel' from 'Delta Machine',the jacket flys off 'Dave's arms to reveal the Glittery waistcoat and his Tattoos he looks trim and fit he speak to us after the song ends "Good Evening Manchester !!!" he already is sweating and then a familiar note on the keyboards and 'Walking In My Shoes' ,'Dave' twirls around like a whirling dervish faster and song gets deeper into your soul taking us back to the darker side of 'Depeche Mode', the crowd go wild this is my fav song from 'Songs Of Faith & Devotion' it is such a dark classic.

 

 Then we go mellow again with a song from 'Playing The Angel'  and 'Precious' which is a beautiful sound Live ,on the huge screens behind there are lots of different breeds of dogs walking towards the screen looking cute, it looks fantastic, then I wasn't prepared for this but when I heard the intro I screamed like a schoolgirl.. 'Black Celebration' it was  like stepping back in time watching my 101 DVD,but he was there in front of me twirling the mic stand pacing from left to right on the stage,and 'Martin was quietly playing keyboards in left wing, 'Dave' literally whips us up into a frenzy.

 

 He's a very provactive dancer,sliding up and down the mic I forgot about this it reminded me of the Devotional Tour he was like a madman on stage being sexy and it seems he hasn't lost it either, you could see he was hungry for the attention and desperate to make us scream (this is what happens when you don't tour too often haha) he is definitely still a Rock God on stage.

 

 I further go wild as 'Policy Of Truth' is played, later he decide's to show off those tattoos he has on chest and back there are a lot I forget how many he had ,he's covered in them, then it is time for a slower section with 'Martin' taking the spotlight he plays 'The Child Inside' and 'But Not Tonight', on our front row we sing back the adlibs after 'Martin' is finished and this does not go unnoticed by 'Dave' who has walked back onstage he smiles and puts his hand to his ear and steps forward watching us "Come on Then!!" he says leading us in "ohoh oh oh ohoh's " which resonates around the Arena that the rest of the venue must of wondered why the song was going on so long after it finished ...such a moment.

 

 

More songs in and The classics keep coming 'Behind The Wheel' another class track from 'Playing The Angel' that is 'Pain That I'm Used To' and then the Amazing 'Question Of Time' and 'Enjoy The Silence' which gets us all jumping up and down  and a superb version of 'Personal Jesus' where 'Dave' puts the mic stand out for us to sing 'Reach Out And Touch Faith'.

 

Encore time and 'Martin' sings a rendition of 'Condemnation' and again we all sing back to him at the end of the song to keep the song going , 'Dave' returns to stage again and sings 'Halo' which is different version to the album as this is beginning I notice none other than 'Anton Corbjin' walking past the camera bobbing down dodging cables and I cheekily tap him on the shoulder and say 'Oh hello nice to meet you' he's a top class photographer I love his work with 'The Mode' and he also films them on stage for the Tours he's worked with the since 1987 for 'Music from The Masses' era.

 

Aside from the screens there are not too many big effects but the main piece is rotating parts at the top of the cluster of stage lights  which are different coloured and come down only so far and tilt hovering over 'Dave'. 'I Feel You' is as gutsy as the video and then it gets crazy with 'I Just Can't Get Enough', 'Dave' has a different waistcoat a Lime coloured creation this time, he uses the side platforms and the catwalk which is not used too much but just enough to communicate with the crowd as they all sing along and bounce around to their 1981 classic single that catapultated them to fame nearly 30 years ago whoosh.

 

'Dave' holds the mic out into the crowd and gets us to sing back in an extended version, finally the last song 'Never Let Me Down Again' is the perfect end to a top night he gets us all singing along and waving out arms in the air like windmills swaying back forth at speed (Remember the 101 DVD ..now the moment was recreated it was euphoric) I don't want the show to end but sadly it had to... what a high note to end on !!

 

 The band came forward and bowed and 'Dave' hugs each of the band to say Thanks for a good show ,he looks happy with everything and then they wave at us for a while and off to the left and right then walk off the stage, they still have 'IT' live, some fans were a bit disappointed that they played mainly singles but for me if they hadn't I'd of been upset it wouldn't have made the show special I love to hear those songs live on different tours and you can't please everyone.

 

 For me it was the best 'Depeche Mode' gig I've seen it was Amazing, I should hopefully have some pics from the night and as I'm delayed I should also have pics in the gallery on Placebo and The next blog subject coming soon.

 

 

 

Stay Glued For More !!

 

Lmi    x