Live Review: Depeche Mode - Memento Mori - North American Tour

11/15/2023

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

United Center Chicago
Monday - November 13, 2023

The show at the United Center this past Monday with Depeche Mode- the second time through town in a span of over about six months-
In my opinion, two completely different shows.

Not a knock on the show back in April, which I attended as a fan, not to review, just to take it all in celebratory style.
And yes- so grateful to see Martin and Dave perform together again, back I think in April of this year.

That show was downright fun, a benchmark of sorts in seeing the lads up close and personal.

As for Monday's show at the United Center, on their second leg of their North American tour, a whole different animal in energy and feel.
The takeaways- the urgency of it all, song wise, performance wise, setlist wise.
The drums- from their tour mate Christian Eigner- proplulsive blast furnace. Dialed up loud and menacing.

Dave Gahan certainly knew it and enjoyed it, prancing about the stage as per usual, however making noticable pit stops off and on by the lip of the drum riser, and brandishing a vote of confidence on the proceedings.
That's important to note- this is a full fledged band man.

A band worth exploring more, high energy and all, if I feel compelled to scope out new material, and see where this goes.
Look at it this way.

The show was Monday the 13th.
Here I am, contemplating this review some 36 hours later, having just completed my edit of images, over 50 or so.

And I'm still reeling from the quartet of Depeche Mode, and the importance of all things Depeche Mode, and thinking that this can't be the end- no way.
If I'm Dave, if I'm Martin- I know I've found a spark in Christian, let alone true multi tasker in Peter Gordeno, a guy who's confident and complex on all things keyboards and synths, all things bass.

If I'm Martin, songwriting chops and all, I'm relieved that I got two guys who can carry the load that Depeche demands, especially live.
If I'm Martin, it allows me to have fun onstage yet again, Dave as well, all smiles.
So yeah- clearly one of the best, I mean best shows of the year, even if it's the inevitable end.

They were not playing like they are in their mid sixties.
They were playing like they were 24 year olds yet again.
And yes, once again, that was so godamn fun to watch live, to the point of dreaming to join a caravan of Depeche faithful and head west and contemplate the revelry of it all just to confirm my enjoyment, my satisfaction of the show from Monday at the United Center.

These guys, and that awesome setlist.
All songs- even the awesome sparkly ones such as "Wagging Tongue", let alone "My Favorite Stranger", both from their latest release "Memento Mori"- came across as more post punk and a bit of restrained sinister.

Then they up the ante with conviction, songs blast furnace style, such as "I Feel You", "It's No Good", "Walking In My Shoes", and "John The Revelator" in particular.
All sung and performed with urgency, more an intimate club feel, not an massive indoor arena, with lots and lots of angst and loud urgency.
Pushed to the limits, these songs, with heavy drumming, followed by punishing and pulsating synth beats, thank you very much.
The more intimate songs, the ones to catch your breath a bit, also demanding your attention, with understated angst.

Songs such as "Ghosts Again", "Black Celebration", followed by "Stripped".
The tension builds, yes it does.
"Enjoy the Silence"? Always fun filled celebratory.
Same with the innocent ones from their innocent times, such as "Everything Counts".
Push and pull yin yang angst, with some more angst.
Swing through the electronica and bop your ass off in place at your seat.
Of course to end the show with their encore "Never Let Me Down Again", and ending with the concrete boot stomps from "Personal Jesus".
The oomphs parlayed with commanding lyric always makes the 18,000 or so faithful release the heat from the indoor arena.

23 songs total for the night.

And I'm not alone in looking around the section I was in, and everyone wants more.
The guy in front of me, a row down- looks up at me, and screams, "How F'ing awesome is Depeche Mode!!!" I laugh in agreement, and give him a solid fist bump chest slap. He grabs my hand, makes a fist of it, and slaps his forehead with my fist, like a dozen times, smiling, while I'm laughing my ass off, not wanting to leave, and letting the guy know that we're not in a dream- what we just witnessed is the real deal.
Yes yes yes.

A show of high energy fun and games, band wise, certainly audience wise, with all the camaraderie ever evident from where I was standing taking it all in.
Sure, I could've written a review that was methodical and technical, taking concise notes of this and that.

But this show with Depeche was just off the rails oh so different- making me feel good inside, like I'm a kid again, young and youthful at heart.

Have to relish shows like these, performances with artists like Martin and Dave, who clearly give it their all, gave it their all.

So yeah- no notes, no outline to follow.
I'm writing from inspiration, from the heart.

Martin and Dave, the awesome touring quartet of Depeche deserves as such.
And like I stated before- one of the best shows of the year.
Up there in the Top Ten, somewhere towards the top, if not thee top.

They're in the process of heading west with the "Memento Mori Tour", some 14 or so dates total.

You're nuts not the see then live while you have the chance.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Depeche Mode, Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Peter Gordeno, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Live Review: Depeche Mode - Memento Mori - North American Tour

Depeche Mode, Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Peter Gordeno, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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