Photo Credit: Michelle Farsi for BSE Global
Depeche Mode graced the Scotiabank Area Sunday night for a second time this year while on their Momento Mori World Tour. Even though they played here in April of this year, you could tell that it didn’t matter. It was clear Depeche Mode loves Toronto, and with the arena packed to the brim, Toronto showed that we love them right back.
While the leather jackets and harnesses of the 80’s may not have been present, there was still fun to be had in Martin Gore and Dave Gahan’s opening outfits which were a silver sci-fi style suit and bedazzled blazer and waistcoat, respectively. The theatrics continued with Gahan bringing the energy with moves that would put Mick Jagger to shame, dancing and spinning on the stage with the confidence of a performer who knows they have their audience in the palm of their hand.
The set list was a perfect blend of the band’s work. It didn’t matter if you’ve been a fan from the start or just heard of them recently, there was something for everyone. It was also a testament to the distinct sound that is Depeche Mode. With a career spanning almost 50 years, their exploration into New Wave, Post Punk, Synth Pop, and Electronic music, the transitions into each song was seamless. Hits were played from their extensive catalog and covered albums such as Construction Time Again, Black Celebration, Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion, Music for the Masses, Ultra, Playing The Angel, and of course Momento Mori.
The simpler stage setup also allowed the music itself to shine through, a large M was placed in the centre of the backdrop and certain songs had accompanying visuals, such as Ghosts Again from 2022’s Momento Mori, and Everything Counts from Construction Time Again where Dave danced along to a visual of someone in a black morph suit wearing white gloves and dancing along with the song. Where there weren’t accompanying visuals, the lighting design matched the colours and aesthetic of the album the song was from and made each new song it’s own new and exciting experience.
After dancing and shaking his way through most of the set, Dave disappeared into the wings and opened the stage for Martin to take over the show. We were all treated to a beautiful, more acoustic version of the songs Home and mega-hit Strangelove that the entire crowd was more than happy to lend backing vocals to. At the end of this reprieve, Dave reemerged and we were reminded why this is the Momento Mori tour. The 2023 album and tour serves as the band’s continuation after the loss of founding member Andrew Fletcher who tragically passed away in 2022. His image was plastered on the screens while a moving and lively performance of World Through My Eyes was played in his honour, along with his image the only visual on stage.
Then the encores came, and if you still had any doubt about the major impact of Depeche Mode’s music, they put that thought to bed and sent us all home on a high. They began with an intimate version of Condemnation from Songs of Faith and Devotion that had Dave and Martin at the end of the catwalk with a simple spotlight, then they came at us with three more mega hits. Everyone was dancing and lending their background vocals to the absolute hit Just Can’t Get Enough, Never Let Me Down Again (which was recently featured in the first episode of HBO’s The Last Of Us), and finally mega-anthem Personal Jesus from 1990’s Violator.
Having had Depeche Mode on my “band bucket list” for as long as I’ve been able to see live music, I can honestly say they exceeded any expectations I may have had. It didn’t matter if they were playing a major pop hit like Just Can’t Get Enough from their earlier synth pop days or opening the show with the moody My Cosmos Is Mine from the recent Momento Mori album, the energy never wavered.
It was refreshing to be at a show where there were fans of all ages all at the same level of excitement and passion for the group they were watching, and you could see younger faces in the crowd, showing that we’re bringing in a new generation of Depeche Mode fans who, like all of us, just can’t get enough.
Depeche Mode’s new album, Memento Mori, is available everywhere now.
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Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
