Wrong was right for Depeche Mode

Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California.

Pictures courtesy of Paul Saye

The workmen who were building the new W Hotel complex on the corner of Hollywood and Argyle didn't go home when their shift finished at 5.30pm yesterday.  They stayed, elevated 50 ft in the air by the scaffolding running around the building.  There they sat waiting and watching as a surreal event unfolded before their eyes.

Hollywood Blvd. had been closed off hours earlier and a huge east facing stage was erected.  Slowly over the afternoon, hundreds, then thousands of people started turning up until, by 7pm, 10,000 people were standing on one of the world's most famous streets, waiting patiently for electronic mega group - Depeche Mode.  I was amongst them.

So okay, it was our wedding anniversary, for which last year we spent it at the L.A NME Awards and this year, it was to transpire that we were once again going to be at an event that was, in our opinion 'unmissable'.  We were standing a few meters away from the stage, VIP wrist bands, backstage passes and after party tickets secured on our persons, discussing the fact that our friend Sara Freegard in London had designed Martin Gore's stage clothes (shoes and all).  She had described the outfit as a kind of 'Teddy Boy from Space' look.  Well, quite.

We didn't have to wait long, and a mere 30 minutes after the official start time, Jimmy Kimmel (for this whole event was being recorded for his show) came out and stood amongst us to announce the band.

The roar from the crowd, despite it being a 'TV concert' was genuine and massive.   The opening number - Wrong proved that they are still as fresh, imaginative and haunting as ever.  An instant Depeche Mode classic, brilliantly delivered by  Dave Gahan, who looked amazingly fit (yes, I had pangs of jealousy and a commitment to lay off carbohydrates for a few weeks), Andy, and Martin, who really did look like a space teddy boy, with a bit of a Keith Flint edge. 

 

The second track for TV - Enjoy The Silence brought 20,000 hands in the air as 10,000 voices of varying degrees of quality sang  'All I ever wanted, all I ever needed is here in my arms' as I glanced across at my wife, and I felt moved, as I had the first time I saw her and the first time I heard that song.  The two things together overwhelmed me.  What can I say? It was my wedding anniversary and I am a huge Depeche Mode fan, as you'll probably have guessed.  Not because Martin is a friend, and that his fab daughter Eva sometimes stays with us (she now plays the Hello Kitty Strat that I was given by Elle Magazine - thanks Elle, it's gone to a good home), and that he lets us stay in his flat in London when we go home and not because some of his best friends (Sarah, Paul, Leah, Bill, Mark, Tracy and the rest of the gang) have become very dear to us  and not because I'm a melancholy sort, but simply because they have written some of the best songs of all time.

 

When the opening bars of Personal Jesus peeled out of Martin's guitar, the crowd erupted once again and the workmen on the scaffolding grooved along, holding their hard hats in the air.  Even the cops were nodding and mouthing what they thought were the words.

It was all over too quickly and the crowd dispersed magically, and a nice man directed us to the 'after party'.  

Security looked tight, and indeed, they announced loudly and in unison 'Only badge holders past this point... Sir, do you have a badge?  Only badge holders past this point... you have a badge?  Ah! Okay in you go'.  With incredible comic timing, a bum appeared and shouted at security 'Only badge holders are allowed in here?  Well how the fuck did I get in then?  Seriously, how the FUCK did I get in here?'  He looked as genuinely confused as Security did as they ushered him back into the street and my friend Marta and I laughed as loud as we had all week.

Normally after parties involve DJs, dance floors, and a bunch of liggers trying to get their photos taken with the band.  This one only had one of these three.  It was like a wedding reception where someone had forgotten to book the entertainment.  Nobody cared though, they were ecstatic to be in the same room as Depeche Mode - The Greatest Band On Earth.

L-R - Dan Barton, Martin Gore, Paul Saye

Thanks to Martin et al for a fantastic night.  See you in August at Hollywood Bowl.

Depeche Mode's amazing new album 'Sounds Of The Universe' is out now.