Depeche Mode cover David Bowie during triumphant London Stadium gig

Depeche Mode played a rare UK show as their ‘Spirit’ tour rolled into London Stadium – with the band even performing a cover of David Bowie‘s ‘Heroes’. See footage, photos and the setlist below.

The only UK show announced so far for heir 2017 ‘Spirit’ tour, the synth pop legends took East London by storm during their colourful and dramatic set at the stadium. Backed by cinematic footage created by Anton Corbijn, the ever-animated Dave Gahan was on the finest of form as he led the trio through an epic and career-spanning set – packed with rock classics and fan favourites.

An early highlight came when he incorporated the rap from Grandmaster Flash’s ‘The Message’ into ‘Barrel Of A Gun’, before the Jacques Lu Cont’s Remix’ version of ‘A Pain That I’m Used To’. The momentum never relented, with recent single ‘Where’s The Revolution’ chiming with the mood of the audience at large ahead of the upcoming general election and already being received as an old favourite, while ‘Everything Counts’, ‘Enjoy The Silence’ and ‘Never Let Me Down Again’ gave the first set the kind of stately ending that only Depeche Mode can.

– Update: Depeche Mode have now announced a UK and Ireland tour for autumn 2017

The climax of the show came during the last three songs of their five track encore, in which the band translated David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ into their own elegiac style, inviting a huge wave of an emotional response from the capacity crowd. Gahan has often spoken of his relationship with Bowie, getting to know the late icon after he became such a pivotal influence on the frontman. Gahan was famously noticed by his bandmates by singing ‘Heroes’ in a local scout hut before the band formed.

A visceral outing of ‘I Feel You’ invited the entire audience onto their feet, where they remained for the explosive closer of ‘Personal Jesus’ – a flawless ending to an immaculate set.

 

The first Spirit Store is open now at the Mall of Scandinavia. Come visit before the first show tomorrow night in Stockholm for exclusive items not available at shows or online. #DepecheMode #Spirit

Una publicación compartida de Depeche Mode (@depechemode) el 4 de May de 2017 a la(s) 9:43 PDT

Depeche Mode played:
Going Backwards
So Much Love
Play
Barrel of a Gun (with a snippet of Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” )
A Pain That I’m Used To (‘Jacques Lu Cont’s Remix’ version)
Corrupt
In Your Room
World in My Eyes
Cover Me
A Question of Lust (Acoustic)
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” (David Bowie cover)
I Feel You
Personal Jesus