Electric Eye - Rock & Roll Memories: Depeche Mode @ Stade de France, Saint Denis

I've always had a rather complicated relationship with Depeche Mode. For a while, I absolutely hated them because I associated them with Just Can't get Enough, which I thought was the epitome of terrible music. A bouncy synth, an electronic disco beat, a happy singalong melody... I just couldn't stand it and I lumped them in the same bag as atrocities like Bros or Bronski Beat. Then when they released Violator, I realized that their dark aesthetic was deeper, more complex and more musical than what that early single let on. And then in 2001 a friend took me to see them live on the Exciter tour (it was the concert that ended up being released as One Night In Paris) and I absolutely loved it.

You don't even need to be a fan to enjoy a Depeche Mode concert, but it does helps: singing along to any band's classic songs as they play them live in front of you is one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world. Witnessing the communion between charismatic frontman Dave Gahan and his audience is a truly moving experience. It's not easy being able to conjure such deep emotions in an impersonal stadium of 80 000 people, but he pulls it off.

It helps that the show is breathtaking. Not ostentatious, but spectacular: the lights are elegant, the video projections are striking, and of course Dave Gahan's rock n 'roll Jesus act is compelling. But this wouldn't matter if the songs weren't great. An absolute armada of hits and classics, with quite a few songs from their lates album Memento Mori. Martin Gore is an enigmatic guitarist, as well as an emotive singer and one of the evening's most powerful moment came when him and Gahan harmonized together in the middle of the crowd during Waiting For The Night. Late bandmate Andy Fletcher was also very present, especially during a poignant World In My Eyes during which photos of the late musician were projected onto the screens.

For over two hours that just flew by, Depeche Mode gave the audience everything they had and more. The inherent despair of their songs, the overall message of the album/tour cycle ("Don't forget that you are mortal"), the fascination with the darkness in us all.. That was all offset by the communion, the energy, the positivity emanating from the stage and from the crowd. Emotional, beautiful, and slightly insane, this was a show for the ages. Shit, I even enjoyed Just Can't Get Enough!

Experience or re-live the concert by playing the setlist in the embedded Apple Music player below