Sunday, November 05, 2006
The Depeche Mode experience
By Bong Aportadera
On The Fly
If you are a child of the 80's, Depeche Mode should be on the top of your Band list. At that time, Depeche Mode gambled on the all-synth band performance versus the dominant full band prominence of the New Wave era.
AS I write this article, I found out that the 80's synth-pop group Depeche Mode just picked up an MTV European award.
Not bad for a band that was almost given up for lost after front man David Gahan was drowned in drug dependency.
If you are a child of the 80's, Depeche Mode should be on the top of your Band list. At that time, Depeche Mode gambled on the all-synth band performance versus the dominant full band prominence of the New Wave era. Fortunately, the band prevailed, and is now regarded as one of the longest staying, well performing bands that the music scene can offer.
My wife was so kind enough to score some tickets for me to see these guys perform live. I was like a kid with a new toy when I got the tickets. Imagine a band whose "cassettes" I used to treasure and repeatedly play in my player until the buffer gave way, are the same guys I will get to see live and up close.
As early as 3 p.m. I joined the long line formed to get in the Sentrum, Oslo's biggest indoor venue for large events. The line was more than 300 meters long, and it was an eclectic mix of 80's babies... uhumm... me included, and the new generation gothic rock lovers.
My spirits were at an all time high since this was a once in a lifetime treat for me. The sounds of Depeche Mode music were blasting outside the venue from the PA system, just to let us forget the long line and savor every minute of the wait.
Two hours later, and two cups of coffee gulped down... the gates were formally opened. Thank god I am in Oslo, as most of the locals there are much disciplined. No pushing, no jeering, everyone in high spirits.
Another one hour later, I got in. Never mind if the ticket I had put me in the middle part of the hall... the giant screens would compensate for the distance from the stage. There were a total of eight screens, four on top of the stage, two on each side of the stage (which were huge), and the last two on the sides of the hall... also humongous.
The sound system was state of the art, of course... when a band as technically savvy as Depeche Mode performs, they demand nothing but the best for us fans to enjoy.
I couldn't bring my 350D with me since all cameras were prohibited inside the venue. Hence, look but no picture...sigh.
Thirty minutes to Showtime, and by now I have already stood up for almost four hours, but who's complaining anyway?
Thirty minutes past, now the house lights were slowly being dimmed, and the ambient stage lights were starting to illuminate. The speaker volume of ambient music made by the band started to build up. The cheers of 15,000 fans starting to progress and rumble throughout the hall. My adrenaline was near its boiling point. The show of shows will finally unfold before my eyes!
A magnificent display of lights and a thunderous sound effect signaled the start of the concert. The shrieks overpowered the music for a moment, but when the band took center stage and opened with my favorite album song "Two Minute Warning", all hell broke loose.
Gahan's voice was like God speaking to the flock. "So welcome to your life!!!"
I was singing along to every word, every affectation, and every melody. Everything was surreal to me. I wanted to punch myself to see if it were all a dream.
A live performance gives you a totally new definition of the music you were listening to before.
I wanted to take a leak after the effects of the coffee started to let my bladder complain... Heck! I'm already here, and I am not about to give up a spot because of bladder problems.
Halfway into the show, I almost fainted when the band sang another all time favorite song "Enjoy The Silence". I literally broke into tears. I thought I was the only one being carried away, but the fans around me also were carried away by Gahan's charisma and thunderous voice.
Three hours later, the show came to a magnificent close with the ever so popular "Everything Counts".
"Good night Oslo!!!!!" from Gahan, then the 15,000 responded with Ha Det!! -- Norwegian for good bye.
I managed to get out of the Sentrum a good 30 minutes, since the crowd inched slowly out, exchanging stories of a band which has bridged the gap of two generations. I knew I had to get a poster of the concert as a remembrance, but alas... all sold out. Caps... gone, Mugs... zero, stickers... nada!!!
When I got home, my wife asked me how good the show was... I gave her a huge grin to let her know what she missed.For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (November 5, 2006 issue)
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