More about: David BowieDepeche Mode

Dropped almost two thirds of the way into a two-and-a-bit hour set, ‘Everything Counts’ highlights everything that’s good and ultimately bad about Depeche Mode’s interminable exercise in tedium in the spacious environs of the London Stadium. Breaking from the turgid and plodding pace that has characterised the show thus far, the 1983 single emphatically proves that heavy topics and banging anthems don’t have to be mutually exclusive concepts. In stark contrast, ‘Where’s The Revolution’ is less a call to arms and more a sigh of weary resignation.

Sadly, as evidenced by the mid-paced slog that is the new album, Spirit, Depeche Mode have elected to dance through tar and translated as a stadium gig makes for an experience where time is perceived to go far slower than it actually does. Einstein would’ve been fascinated. Only ‘So Much Love’ frees itself from the shackles of torpor. Alas, it’s dropped so early as to become inconsequential.

Martin Gore’s vocal one-two of ‘A Question Of Lust’ and ‘Home’ in the middle of the show feels tired and exhausted, and herein lies the real problem of the gig. Whereas it might work in the more intimate (well, in Depeche Mode terms) surroundings of an arena, in a stadium it feels more like an excuse to head to the bar or update your status on social media. Indeed, as a stadium project, the set looks ill-conceived with a set list to match.

And just as you think Depeche Mode have finally got a handle on things with a thoroughly muscular reading of ‘Never Let Me Down Again’, it all comes crashing down to earth thanks to the moribund ‘Somebody’ and a monumentally joyless rendition of David Bowie’s ‘”Heroes”’.

Saturday nights used to be alright for fighting or inducing fever. This one was all about yawning.

More about: David BowieDepeche Mode