Book Review: Depeche Mode: Live

Release Date: October 1st, 2024

When Depeche Mode released their debut album, Speak & Spell, in 1981 they were seen as another flavor of the month synthpop band that would soon be forgotten. By the end of the decade, they were the biggest electronic act in the world. 43 years later, people are still in love with Depeche Mode. Part of their staying power is due to their spectacular live shows. Since the beginning, the band has put all their energy into their performances. With the baritone Dave Gahan at the helm, the band continues to captivate young and old fans worldwide. Dennis Burmeister and Sascha Lange examine the awesome force of Depeche Mode on stage in their new book, Depeche Mode: Live.

Similar to their previous book Monument, Depeche Mode: Live is a treasure trove of stunning, previously unseen photos. They range from gorgeous professional shots to grainy fan images that capture the thrill of seeing the band live to candid backstage moments fans rarely see. Burmeister and Lange explore the band’s rise to fame through the lens of their performances, including global tours, one-off performances, and television appearances. We get brief snapshots of the band’s history and album releases, but the book focuses on their live shows, how they’ve changed over time, the hurdles they conquered, and their growing audience. Starting with their very first gig at a local community hall to their recent “Memento Mori Tour,” we learn how certain tours came together, concerts that never happened, shows gone wrong, and the personal struggles members faced behind the scenes.

While pictures of the band’s massive stadium shows are impressive, it’s photos from their early gigs that are the most striking. We know Depeche Mode as a legendary band. These days, it’s hard to imagine anyone questioning their talent, but that’s exactly what happened in the early ‘80s. They were strictly an electronic band when they started, which was bizarre at the time. Seeing images of them on stage with nothing but four synthesizers and a tape recorder drive home how strange it was in an era dominated by analog. No one, not even the band, could’ve guessed that an electronic would sell out stadiums only a few years later.

Though the book covers the band’s international fanbase, special attention is given to their dedicated fanbase in East and West Germany. Since the beginning, Depeche Mode has cultivated a lasting relationship with Germany thanks to their willingness to play shows behind the Iron Curtain. Because of their socially conscious songs, European fans felt seen and heard by the band. They were also one of the few international acts that could get permission to play in these controlled cities. They further established their relationship with German fans by holding special meet greets, working with regional fan clubs, setting up contests, and performing intimate shows.  It’s a relationship that lasts to this day with the band making sure they play multiple shows in Germany, so they don’t disappoint fans.

Featured throughout are interviews with various tour managers and peers the band worked with throughout the years, such as Dan Silver, Nitzer Ebb, Markus Kavla, and Laszlo Hegedus. These provide great insight into what goes into putting together a tour, such as regional promo materials, selecting stadiums, and securing the proper equipment. They also discussed the intricacies of organizing a show in the UK vs West Germany vs North America. It’s a fascinating peek at what goes on before the band even thinks about getting on stage.

Depeche Mode: Live is a beautiful book by the fans for the fans. The rare photographs alone would make the book worthwhile. But the exclusive interviews and details about the band’s touring history make it an engaging read. This book was crafted with a lot of love and respect for the band. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill biography with some nice pictures. Rather it’s a loving look at what makes the band special, why fans love them, and how Depeche Mode has stood the test of time.

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