NASHVILLE |DATE: JUNE 5, 2001
FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/LATHUM NELSON
DEPECHE MODE'S ROOF-RAISING ROXY GIG: Performing songs from EXCITER live for the very first time alongside in-concert favorites, DEPECHE MODE raised the roof last night (June 4) at the Roxy in Los Angeles. This much-buzzed-about exclusive warm-up show for KROQ contest winners–the precursor to their forthcoming worldwide arena tour–marked DEPECHE MODE'S first club gig since 1982 as well as their first show at the Roxy since that same year. As some 600 fans who crammed into the venue wildly howled their approval, DAVE GAHAN, MARTIN GORE and ANDREW FLETCHER demonstrated an adventurous spirit on new songs like EXCITER's first radio smash "Dream On" (bluesy acoustic guitar merged with skittering electronic beats), "I Feel Loved" (where unsettling lyrics meet soaring pop hooks amid percolating dance rhythms), "When The Body Speaks" (a sensual ballad with a Velvet Underground-inspired moody undertow) and the torchy "Breathe" with MARTIN GORE on lead vocals. DEPECHE MODE gems were well-represented with "I Feel You," "Halo," "Enjoy The Silence," "Walking In My Shoes," "Clean," "Bottom Line" (acoustic version with MARTIN-sung lead vocal) and the intense "Personal Jesus" encore. DEPECHE MODE's "EXCITER TOUR" touches down June 19 in America in Minneapolis and the list of sold-out shows includes two gigs at New York's Madison Square Garden and as many at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Meanwhile, stay tuned for news about the release of DEPECHE MODE's next single and video "I Feel Loved."
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