If there’s one word that can define the atmosphere of a Depeche Mode concert it’s “lush.” There was a certain tinge of sensuality hovering the night as concert goers made their way up to the Santa Barbara Bowl as Warpaint songs and Theresa Wayman’s enticing vocals beckoned us to the venue.

There seemed to be an unspoken dress code amongst the audience: clad in black attire, even better if it’s leather.

The full moon bathed the audience in its brilliance as the band emerged from the darkness opening with the song Going Backwards and the whole venue went W-I-L-D.

 

Many of the songs were accompanied by amazing videos in the background, one of my favourites was that of two ballet dancers doing an intricate sensual choreography whilst Dave Gahan crooned In Your Room. Another visually stunning moment was when they displayed a video of a gender-bending musician getting dolled up before hitting the night to perform in gravity-defying stilettos as Gahan appropriately sang Walking In My Shoes throughout the video.

Another highlight of the night was Martin Gore’s acoustic performances of A Question of Lust and Somebody where the dancing slowed to a sway and even the ones with the blackest heart found tears lingering in their eyes threatening to make their mascaras run.

Being a huge David Bowie fan, it certainly made my night when the first notes of Heroes began, and nothing drove me wilder than them closing with Personal Jesus. Cause right about now we’re all in need of reaching out and touching faith.

SETLIST:

Going Backwards

So Much Love

Barrel of a Gun

A Pain That I’m Used To

Corrupt

In Your Room

World In My Eyes

Cover Me

A Question of Lust

Home

Poison Heart

Where’s the Revolution

Wrong

Everything Counts

Stripped

Enjoy the Silence

Never Let Me Down Again

ENCORE:

Somebody

Walking in My Shoes

Heroes

I Feel You

Personal Jesus

By: Azzurra Nox