Depeche Mode 'Bowl' over Los Angeles

Depeche Mode thrilled a massive audience at the Hollywood Bowl last night (August 16), delivering a stellar set for a sold-out crowd despite frontman Dave Gahan's recent health troubles.

The band appeared in top form even though they recently cancelled several shows due to Gahan's maladies, which have included a tumour on his bladder (which was recently removed), a torn calf muscle and voice troubles. Still the singer delivered his trademark energetic performance, constantly twirling with his microphone stand and bounding across the stage.

The band said very little aside from "Thank you, Los Angeles!" during their two-hour set, choosing instead to focus on the music. They delivered one crowd-pleasing hit after another, kicking off the evening with a handful of tracks from their most recent album, 'Sounds Of The Universe', and quickly segueing into classics 'Enjoy The Silence', 'Fly On The Windscreen' and 'A Question Of Time'.

The crowd at the massive amphitheatre remained on their feet dancing and clapping throughout the night, a rare occurrence at the seated venue. They often traded verses with Gahan, who let the audience take the lead on several choruses.

Keyboardist/guitarist/songwriter Martin Gore also sang lead on a handful of tunes, including the new song 'Jezebel' and a moving rendition of 'Somebody', which the band saved for their first encore.

A loudly cheering crowd called the band back for a second encore, which saw them perform their mega-hit 'Personal Jesus' replete with Gore's blues-driven guitar riffs. They closed out the night with the the ballad 'Waiting For The Night' from 1990's 'Violator'.

The band will give their second of two Hollywood Bowl performances tonight (August 17).

Depeche Mode played:

'In Chains'
'Wrong'
'Hole To Feed'
'Walking In My Shoes'
'It's No Good'
'A Question Of Time'
'Precious'
'Fly On The Windscreen'
'Jezebel'
'Home'
'Come Back'
'Policy Of Truth'
'In Your Room'
'I Feel You'
'Enjoy The Silence'
'Never Let Me Down Again'
'Somebody'
'Stripped'
'Strangelove'
'Personal Jesus'
'Waiting For The Night'

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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