DEPECHE MODE
Depeche Mode is an English electronic music band formed in Basildon, Essex in 1980. Originally formed with the lineup of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke, the band currently consists of Gahan and Gore.
Depeche Mode released their debut album Speak & Spell in 1981. Clarke left the band at the end of 1981, going on to form the groups Yazoo and later Erasure. The remaining trio recorded their second album, A Broken Frame (1982), with Martin Gore as chief songwriter up until Exciter.
The band then recruited Alan Wilder, establishing a lineup that continued until 1995, with the albums Construction Time Again (1983), Some Great Reward (1984), Black Celebration, Music for the Masses, Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.
Unfortunately, the band's internal struggles during recording and touring of SoFaD resulted in Wilder's departure in 1995.
The band returned to the lineup of Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher, and released the albums Ultra (1997) Exciter (2001), Playing the Angel (2005), Sounds of the Universe (2009), Delta Machine (2013) and Spirit (2017) until Fletcher's death in 2022 of an aeortic disection. Gahan and Gore have since continued as a duo.
Their latest album, Memento Mori, was released in 2023.
Depeche Mode have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. The band was included in multiple lists, such as "50 Bands That Changed the World!", ranking #98 in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
I have a shrine dedicated to this band because they are probably my favourite band of all time. There is just something about them, be it Dave Gahan's lovely voice, Martin Gore's lyrical genius, or just the absolute beauty of it all together, but this band has come to mean very important things to me.
I am also a bit of an oddball in the fandom; as I am extremely passionate about one of their least popular albums; Exciter! I personally believe that Freelove is the best song that Depeche Mode has ever written. And don't get me wrong; I adore Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus and others just as much!
I was very lucky that in November of 2023, I got to see them live with my best friend in the whole world. I hope that this won't be the only time I ever get to see them in concert, but it is by far, the best thing that has ever happened to me hands down.
Below this are pictures I took during my concert! They're not the best but I wanted to live in the moment and I am glad I did.
I also got my best friend to become a fan of Depeche Mode by taking him to the concert; now he's not on the level I am, but he's a fan enough we listend to John the Revelator three times on the way back to the hotel from the show alone.
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