9. Depeche Mode - 'Devotional Tour' - Lievin, France 1993
This particular stop on the tour to promote the band's eighth record, 'Songs of Faith and Devotion', was pretty much halfway through the mammoth world tour that saw the band play all over Europe, the U.S., Canada and the U.K. This was the date where some of the of the incredible concert film, 'Devotional', was captured by the genius director, Anton Corbijn. Also worth noting is that there is a live album, simply called 'Songs of Faith and Devotion Live', that mirrors the studio album' tracklist, with the live versions, all from this particular show. This was not only a band at the peak of their powers, it was a band touring their darkest (a hefty statement in relation to "the Mode" realm) record. It was also their boldest recorded output as well as they beefed up their usual electronic sound with real drums, Rock/Blues style guitar parts, and soulful female backing vocals. Never before had anything sounded like this collection of ten songs, and they are even more effective, in a live setting. Dave Gahan had gotten into the Alt Rock/Grunge thing that was inescapable during the early 90's and pushed for the band to take some influence from it. He had also grown his hair long, cultivated a rather awesome beard, got tattoos and funnily enough, become very good friends with Heroin. He was strung out on the drug during the recording of the album, and somewhat isolated himself from the other band members. The vocal performances on the album and subsequent tour are his finest and emotionally connected, considering all the lyrics are band mate and songwriter, Martin Gore's. 'In Your Room', from the live record will make you stop dead in your tracks, no matter what you are doing. The stage set, like a giant, lush, sensual boudoir is perfect for the mood of these songs and tour in general. The band were hardly interacting offstage, separate assistants, separate limos and apparently, hotel rooms on different floors! Ironic that they managed to sound so unified onstage. When Primal Scream joined the tour for the second half it became what Q magazine have dubbed, "The Most Debauched Tour...Ever!" Tales of what Gahan and the Primal lads got up to have become folklore. Gahan would hold court in his private dressing room at every venue, all low lighting and filled with velvet drapes, floor cushions and incense, ironically, like a miniature version of the stage. The amount of drugs consumed by him and his hangers on is said to be truly terrifying. Nevertheless, somewhat sadly "Rock star, junkie Dave", has always been vocally and aesthetically, his finest era.