The initial exposure to their music was with club audiences and the album

cut "Just Can't Get Enough" became a major dance hit, receiving airplay on

American alternative radio stations.  After a tour of England and Europe, a

second album titled A Broken Frame was released in 1982, followed by

Construction Time Again in 1983 (contained dance favorite "Everything

Counts").

With the release of People Are People in 1984, American audiences

discovered what their European counterparts had known since 1981.  This

album was Depeche Mode's first North American success.

The rest is history as the alternative music boom of the early 90's found

this band on the top of the charts. The band could have vanished into

obscurity as many others have, but continues to draw a strong following not

only for their irresistible dance-floor singles but as ambitious album

artists.

The release and promotion of the new Exciter album has been enhanced by a

worldwide tour with DTE Energy Music Theatre as one of 34 on the North

American list.

As the show progressed and the night sky dimmed, the mood was set and the

old favorites started to emanate from the stage.  It was amazing that

although most of the first songs were from the new album, the avid fans

knew what songs were being performed.

Speaking of performing, Dave certainly gave the crowd its money's worth

with his swivel-hip action alone.  What showmanship!  He was in rare

charismatic form and the audience reciprocated with their enthusiasm.  It

gave a reverberating effect from band to fans and back to band.  This

continued for the duration especially with the more familiar tunes.  Martin

was dressed all in white and looked almost angelic while Fletch was the

kool kat on keyboards.  Appreciation was high and flowed in both

directions.  David acknowledged the crowd with blown kisses to every

location and the audience overwhelmingly accepted the gestures.

Songs such as "Enjoy the Silence" and "I Feel You" started arousing the

crowd with everyone dancing and singing.  I thought it could not get much

more intense untilŠthe band began playing the ever-popular "Personal Jesus"

and the floor stomped with the crowd going wild with excitement.  As the

song continued, David went silent for a moment.  The crowd did not and

continued to chant, "reach out and touch me" for what appeared to be a fair

amount of time.  The fans did not want this evening to end.

The encore consisted of four songs with "Black Celebration" being one of

them.  Celebrate, the crowd did.  There was not one single person not

moving to the beat.  The responsive band members acknowledged the fans with

enthusiastic greetings, comments and blown kisses.  Everyone had a good

time - the audience and the band.

The singer/songwriter Poe (named after writer Edgar Allen Poe) opened the

evening for Depeche Mode.  She has an interesting background as a nomadic

world traveler and received a full scholarship to Princeton University

where she perfected her musical style.  Her first album produced a top ten

alternative radio hit, "Angry Johnny" in 1995.  In the past, she has

received a good deal of critical acclaim and recognition that were evident

in her performance of this tour.  The crowd seemed to enjoy her

interpersonal style and enthusiastic demeanor.

After twenty years, nine albums, and survival of itself, Depeche Mode has

put forth a new softer, gentler image than that of the past's darker side

of melodrama that also ruled their personal lives.  The innovative group

that changed the sound of modern music with completely synthesizer-driven

noises continues to play to sold-out venues with audiences that adore both

images of this alternative music icon.