Words Are Very Unnecessary – Depeche Mode Santa Barbara 8/20/09

By Haaris Ahmed On August 21, 2009 · 1 Comment

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Author: Haaris Ahmed (127 Articles)

Haaris Ahmed is the Ronin Samurai around these parts.

This show was awesome, for all the WRONG reasons.

Ok so how did I end up going to a Depeche Mode concerts of all things? One of my friends just happens to be their personal assistant/publicist. 2 GA tickets and 2 Backstage Passes, check. FYI I gave away 1 of my backstage passes because my publicist friend (who shall remain nameless) was coming over to my apt to hang out after the show and she was the only one I wanted to kick it with backstage, plus I always like stoking someone out.

The makeup of the crowd was GREAT. It has been a some time since this 29 year old was one of the younger people in the crowd. This show sold out when it went on sale months ago. The 35+ audience was out in full force. Big hair, tight jeans, leg warmers, mesh tee shirts, and even some people that wear their sun glasses at night were pulling out dance moves that I remember seeing when I was still in single digits in the 80’s. AND EVERYONE KNEW THE WORDS. I mean everyone except me, my little entourage and the children that were dragged to the show by their parents who defiantly embarrassed them at the concert.

These dudes brought some heavy machinery, audio and visual equipment, and a whole lot of style last night in Santa Barbara, so much so that the power failed after the 3rd/4th song. Instead of doing a quick acoustic set or kicking it with the crowd the band just left the stage. I am sure if this show was in 1988 there would be bottles thrown by coke filled drunks wanting to “reach out and touch faith”. But in 2009 the mature crowd “enjoyed the silence” for about 15 minutes till everything rebooted and the show was back on.

One thing Depeche Mode is not is cheap. They spent a pretty penny and one could see that in the production that was brought to the Santa Barbara Bowl last night. This well established band gave the crowd what they wanted, a set list filled with nothing but hits accompanied by strange visuals both video and light based. Even with the power fail the crowd didn’t seem to mind and the band killed it.

So would I see Depeche Mode live again? Sure, if the tickets were free like they were for this one. I didn’t go in the show as a Depeche Mode fan, but I left with a greater respect for this band that has lasted the test of time, plus I saw a lot of sweet dance moves.

shogun00 OUT