DEPECHE MODE @ MSG: Dec 7, 2005

TOURING THE ANGEL

For years my wife and I have wanted to see Depeche Mode in concert. The problem was that I was always too slow on the draw to ever get tickets. They can sell out a show in a matter of minutes! But with the internet on my side, I was finally able to get some seats.

This was the first time I've been to MSG in over 10 years. The last time was for the NYPD exam, which I passed, but got teh results a week after I got my current accounting job. Anyway, we've been checking out shows at smaller venues in the city and Nassau Colliseum, so we were very interested what it would be like.

It was a very cold that night so we got there purposely about 7:30 so that we get there too early and have to wait about. When we got there we went right in. The place is nicely organized, well lit and enormous. There are employees all over the place to assist you to where you're headed nearly every step of the way. As we neared our section I noticed the various concession stands for food and drink and once seated they have vendors strolling around with all manner of drinks, food, and snacks. The shocking part of teh food was that it wasn't really priced higher than the surrounding neighborhood.

Just past 8:00 The Bravery take the stage. The best way to describe this opening act is to say they provided 30-35 minutes of what every other modern rock band has to offer. If you've heard the HIves or Vines or Jet or whatever, then you've heard this too. They were fine, but certainly nothing earth shattering.

Just after 9:00 Depeche Mode took to the stage and played two songs from the newest album. The crowd was already frenzied, but when they went back in time to A Question Of Time the place was steadily heading out of control.

One thing I've never understood about concert reviews is the choreography comments. Who goes to a rock concert expecting choregraphy? Well, there was nothing like that here either. Dave pranced around the stage a lot in what looked like clothing he stole from my wife's closet.

The music was tight. The drums were mic'd perfectly. Everyone's voices were PERFECT. Everything was perfect.

They played nearly every song I wanted to hear, but then again, if they played another hour I wouldn't have gotten tired of it all. I heard all those old songs from my high school years that invoked such delicious sadness and misery. Those wretched yet gorgeous songs from so many years passed. It was heart wrenching, it was a high, it was splendid.

I really hoped to hear People Are People, but I did get Somebody and that made it all worthwhile for me.

After 2 encores they called it a night around 11:00. A two hour performance is pretty impressive, and was welcome. They ran a tight ship on stage and the crowd loved every minute of it. After this wonderful performance I know I'll try to see them again in the future for sure. The sadness never felt better.

Great show. Top marks!

***
Here are the set lists from
http://archives.depechemode.com/past_tours/touring_the_angel/setlist.html

While Depeche Mode shows are usually consistent when it comes to the songs that are performed, the band does sometimes change up the tracks. This will usually happen when Martin comes out and performs his songs in the middle of the set. The following list will let you know the main set list, as well as the differences each night.

Set List - Bowery warm up show > 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 > Damaged People > Home > I Want It All > The Sinner In Me > I Feel You > Behind The Wheel > World In My Eyes > Personal Jesus encore > Enjoy The Silence

Set List - KROQ Almost Acoustic Xmas > Personal Jesus (stripped down, Peter on electric bass) > Walking In My Shoes (stripped down, Peter on electric bass) > Precious (stripped down) > I Want It All > A Question Of Lust > The Sinner In Me > I Feel You > John The Revelator > Behind The Wheel > Enjoy The Silence encore > Shake The Disease (acoustic, Martin and Peter) > Never Let Me Down Again

Main Set List
SET 1 > 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 > Damaged People > 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 > Somebody > Just Can't Get Enough > Everything Counts
encore #2 > Never Let Me Down Again > Goodnight Lovers

SET 2 > 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 > Macro > 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 > Somebody > Just Can't Get Enough > Everything Counts
encore #2 > Never Let Me Down Again > Goodnight Lovers

SET 3 > 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 > Damaged People > 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

All North American shows were set 1, except for:
November 22nd (Los Angeles) - Set 2
November 23rd (Anaheim) - Set 3
November 26th (Las Vegas) - Set 3
December 8th (New York) - Set 3

Check out some cool concert pics on Steve's blog:
http://goflyingturtle.blogspot.com/2005/12/depeche-mode-live-in-dc-12102005.html
And the official DM website:
depeche mode dot com