Live: Depeche Mode's Hollywood takeover

Standing in the audience for Depeche Mode’s traffic-stopping free show on Hollywood Boulevard, it felt like a little bit of New York's Times Square had come to town. With giant billboards trumpeting the arrival of the new W Hollywood Hotel & Residences and the marquee of the Pantages Theater looming above the massive crowd that spilled over onto neighboring side streets, the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street was charged for the arrival of the synth-pop pioneers. Before the show even started, a surge of fans on Vista Del Mar Street buckled a gate and caused a gaggle of police to run over and quickly restore order.

If only for a moment, it was like a quick flash of the band’s infamous 1990 autograph session  at the now-shuttered Wherehouse Records store that once stood on La Cienega across from the Beverly Center, where serious Depeche Mode fans stormed the entrance, resulting in a full-fledged window-shattering riot with the band fleeing for safety.

It's 19 years later, and Depeche Mode can still wreak havoc on the streets L.A.

The band celebrated the release of its 12th studio album, “Sounds of the Universe,”with a free performance on Hollywood Boulevard. It doubled as an appearance on ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” late-night TV talk show, which was scheduled to broadcast the first two songs later in the evening.

Fans who snapped up the free tickets through the band’s website showed up early and endured the tedium of filming a TV show, which included lots of cheering on cue until the band -- augmented by a live drummer and additional keyboardist -- finally appeared on stage around 8 p.m. to open with the industrial stomp of the new single, “Wrong."

Fellow Kimmel guests Elisha Cuthbert and Tatum Channing were lurking in the wings, and Deftones singer Chino Moreno was also spied on the scene. Catering to the crowd, which was rumored to have reached upward of 10,000 people, Depeche Mode launched into its 1989 smash hit, “Personal Jesus,” followed by “Walking in My Shoes” from the 1993 album "Songs of Faith and Devotion."

After satiating the audience with such time-tested tunes, the band dug deeper into its new album with the hypnotic dirge “Come Back,” and the retro-electro pulse of “Peace,” a dramatic showcase for singer Dave Gahan’s surprisingly supple vocals, which are arguably as strong as they've ever been. He’s also in fighting physical shape, eliciting female screams even before shedding his jacket.

After Gahan thanked the crowd for its patience -- many had been in line since the early afternoon waiting to get in -- the band closed the set with an extended version of "Violator's" “Enjoy The Silence,” featuring some impressive guitar work from songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Martin Gore, and then one for the old-school set, the 1987 single “Never Let Me Down Again.”

The remaining members of Depeche Mode have spent the last 12 years rebuilding themselves from the crash-and-burn of the mid-90s, when Gahan's well-documented addiction issues and the departure of longtime member Alan Wilder dominated headlines. Ending the show with the hopeful fan favorite was  an inspired choice, and from the glow of satisfied fans jostling out of the stage area when it was over, it was an apt sentiment the band has obviously taken to heart.

—Scott T. Sterling

Photo, top: Dave Gahan. Associated Press.

Photo, lower: Depeche Mode fans. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Victor Hernandez]

I was there in the front and it was a blast!!!!!

People outside almost knocked down the fence!

[Javier]

Too bad I missed it, but I was at a more important event --- watching the Ducks beat the Sharks 4-0 and take a 3-1 series lead ... Go Ducks!!! ... besides, why would I want to be at a Mode concert when half of Glendale would be there ....

[Steve]

For three hours prior to the concert, I was standing at the Vista Del Mar intersection -- there was no "surge of fans." Everyone was calmly watching the screen. Two (2!) guys trying to take down the fence led to a spectacular overreaction by LAPD and event organizers. Poor planning and execution invited the problem.

[Chatmal]

It was a fabulous show! I arrived before noon to stand in line for my wristband. It was a very long day and very tiring.

There were a few touchy moments with the crowds. One was when the wristband line went all the way around the block and some of the people at the end were trying to worm their way into the line near the beginning. We talked to security to point this out and they curved the line back to avoid problems. We would have defended our place in line with a fight, so I'm glad it didn't come to that! I was having flashbacks to the Wherehouse near-riot in 1990, so I knew what a mob of fans are capable of.

And then after wristbands were on, we waited for the next gate to open so we could get near the stage. When it finally opened fans ran for the front. I think that freaked security a little, but it didn't surprise me.

We experienced waves of exhilaration during the sound checks and the show itself. The TV show part was a little tedious, but the concert was satisfying and exciting. I was impressed with the sponsorship of the concert - I can't imagine how much it all cost! There was a nice set up with several large TV screens. It was nice to bond with fellow fans too. Dave Gahan looked and sounded great and I can't wait for the next shows in August!

[Svetoslava]

Great performance and great new album! Highly recommended! :)