Depeche Mode Still Have It

Yes, they're still touring. Yes, it's the same original three guys. No, they probably don't need the money. But knowing that Depeche Mode are still playing because they love the music — and their fans — makes seeing them live that much more amazing an experience.

With all three members nearing their fifties (but still all looking improbably good), Depeche Mode are not has-beens like so many of their '80s new wave or goth peers, reduced to playing small clubs and theatres. And although they've each had their side projects, their solo albums and what-have-you, they keep coming back to this grand love of their lives, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. There's no signs they're stopping.

It's gotta be pretty damn tough to come up with a set list for a Depeche Mode tour in 2009. What exactly do you do when you have 12 albums worth of material? What songs do you choose to appease longtime fans and promote your new album?

Well, one thing's for certain: Until the day comes that the trio decide to do a greatest-hits only tour — which will likely happen when they're all at the same age as The Rolling Stones — there will always be a heavier smattering of tunes from their newest release, whether the old-school purists like it or not.

In this case, the first few songs in Depeche Mode's Toronto set were all from new album Sounds Of The Universe. They opened on a slower-paced note with "In Chains" before breaking out the bright red alarm lights (last seen in "A Pain That I'm Used To," which was sadly absent) for seething single "Wrong."

The other new songs that made appearances only garnered a small amount of interest from the crowd, which goes to show that the idea of a greatest-hits tour wouldn't be that badly received.

There was also a surprising amount of material from Songs Of Faith And Devotion, including "In Your Room" and a expectedly sexually-charged performance of "I Feel You." Perennial favourite "Walking In My Shoes" was included, of course, and since it was the first classic hit DM song in the set, it got the loudest response early on.

There were very few differences in the performance of either that song or "A Question Of Time" — same gestures, same Dave Gahan spinning with the mike stand, same crotch-grab at "have their fun with my little one" as during the performances on 2006's Touring The Angel live DVD. I guess it's hard to break routines, especially when they succeed at garnering delighted female shrieks.

Another highlight was Martin L. Gore himself, who looked like he'd barely aged since the '80s. He took the lead on two numbers, wearing a holographic sparkly silver suit — think Ziggy Stardust. Although "Little Soul" was a downer, the crowd obviously wouldn't let Gore go without his traditional singing of "Home," which he performed beautifully with only a keyboard accompaniment. The man may have written some legendary melodies and lyrics, but it's easy to forget he's also an incredibly good singer.

Still, when it comes to ass-shaking, hip-swaying charisma, one needed to look no further than Gahan who, even at 47-years-old, is an absolute freakin' gorgeous. Not to mention he also looked pretty damn good for a man who just had a tumor removed from his bladder, and then fractured his ankle less than a month ago.

Gahan just keeps ticking and throwing all of himself into his performances — from grinding stripper-style with the micstand to doing the legendary "Dave Dance" — and the Amphitheatre audience couldn't have loved him more for it.

The love-in reached a fever pitch during the final quarter of the concert, when Depeche Mode brought out their biggest hits. A phenomenally rocked-out "Enjoy The Silence" turned the crowd into one huge dance party up through the aisles, and it was easily the highlight of the night. Aside from, of course, the mass hand-waving during the finale of "Never Let Me Down Again," a move that's become a staple in every live Depeche Mode show. It's a mind-blowing sight to see, and even cooler to be a part of it yourself.

The encore songs, in particular, were a treasure trove of classics, with Gahan gyrating to "Master And Servant" after an epic take on "Stripped." (The lipstick lesbian visuals on the jumbotron behind them during "Strangelove" were a tad unnecessary, but I guess the hetero dudes in the audience needed some great reward after watching Gahan shimmy and shake across the stage for two hours).

With a second encore capped off by "Personal Jesus" and "Waiting For The Night" — not to mention Gahan getting the audience to sing "Happy Birthday" to Gore, who turned 48 the previous day — this was a concert of both epic highs and meandering lows, but overall a performance on a magnitude that truly did attest to both Depeche Mode's longevity and long-lasting influence.