Depeche Mode in concert at the Stade de France: we were there, we tell you all about it

Published by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Photos by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Published on June 25th, 2023 at 01:41 p.m.
Depeche Mode put on a jubilant show at the Stade de France on Saturday June 24, 2023, five years after their last performance in the capital, at Lollapalooza Paris. With a mix of timeless hits and new material, Dave Gahan and Martin Gore enthralled the packed audience.

Few bands can boast international fame and recognition, and a career spanning more than 40 years. Depeche Mode is one of them. The British band that helped popularize new wave worldwide, Depeche Mode has kept the legend alive over the years with such powerful albums as"Music for the Masses" (1987),"Violator" (1990) and"Exciter" (2001). In March 2023, Depeche Mode unveiled"Memento Mori", the very first album released as a duo following the death of the late Andrew Fletcher.

Less than two months after the release of this 15th opus, Dave Gahan and Martin Gore kicked off their new " Memento Mori " tour on the Old Continent. For this new Depeche Mode world tour, the set design is simple. No central stage like Metallica, no pyrotechnic effects and even fewer stunning acrobatics like Pink. Instead, a large, classic stage with two large screens on either side, a central screen projecting a few images and a huge letter "M" in reference to the"Memento Mori tour". For the occasion, the two co-founders of Depeche Mode are surrounded by Christian Eigner on drums and Peter Gordeno on keyboards and bass.

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At 61, Depeche Mode 's charismatic lead singer continues to impress with his infectious, boundless energy, sexy, controlled sway and signature dance moves. Dressed in a sequined jacket, which he quickly removed in the sweltering heat of Saturday June 24, Dave Gahan commands attention with his baritone voice, always perfectly in tune and controlled. Martin Gore, meanwhile, is more in the background, but the British musician is far from being a figurehead. The artist, who has produced several solo opuses, displays a real complicity with Dave, notably on the sublime " Wrong " and then on " Waiting for the Night ", when the two friends and colleagues join the front of the stage, close to their fans, and sing in unison before embracing. Chills guaranteed. Martin Gore even takes the lead on " Home " and " Soul With Me ", albeit with a less assumed ease than his sidekick, who has left for the backstage area for two tracks. For it is of course Dave Gahan who still carries Depeche Mode to this day. A veritable stage beast, the band's singer and frontman occupies the entire stage, contorting and twirling around himself to the point of taking us along with him on his stunning merry-go-round, as on " Wagging Tongue ".

As for the setlist, a few of Depeche Mode 's latest songs were played throughout the 2h15 set. While " Soul with Me " sent shivers down our spines, the powerful single " Ghosts Again " left us ecstatic. But of course, Depeche Mode couldn't do without a few of their greatest hits, driving the audience to euphoria with " Walking in My Shoes ", the rousing " Everything Counts ", the powerful " I Feel You ", the unmissable " Precious " and " World in My Eyes ", performed as a tribute to Andrew Fletcher. The end of the set becomes even more electric, prompting the audience in the stands to take their seats and dance to the hits " Stripped ", " John the Revelator " and the memorable " Enjoy the Silence ", performed in a longer, more electro version.

Just as the crowd was getting into the swing of things, Depeche Mode slipped away for a moment, taking a breather before returning for the famous encore. An encore that ended up putting everyone on the same wavelength, thanks to three global hits: the famous 80s-sounding " Just Can't Get Enough ", the sublime " Never Let Me Down Again " and the mythical " Personal Jesus ", which has become an anthem for many... all enhanced by a beautiful light show, which unfortunately arrived late due to the long summer days. It's exhausted - Dave Gahan can't help but sit down for a few seconds at the foot of the drum kit to regain his strength - but happy that the band finishes by greeting and thanking the numerous fans who turned out for this successful and jubilant show.

Depeche Mode en concert au Stade de France, on y était, on vous raconteDepeche Mode en concert au Stade de France, on y était, on vous raconteDepeche Mode en concert au Stade de France, on y était, on vous raconteDepeche Mode en concert au Stade de France, on y était, on vous raconte

Setlist

Speak to Me (Outro)
My Cosmos Is Mine
Wagging Tongue
Walking in My Shoes
It's No Good
Sister of Night
In Your Room
Everything Counts
Precious
My Favourite Stranger
Home
Soul With Me
Ghosts Again
I Feel You
World in My Eyes
Wrong
Stripped
John the Revelator
Enjoy the Silence

Reminder

Waiting for the Night
Just Can't Get Enough
Never Let Me Down Again
Personal Jesus

Practical information

Location

93200 Saint-Denis
93200 Saint Denis

Official website
www.depechemode.com

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