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See Depeche Mode launch tour for new album in Sacramento | Concert Photos

Nathaniel Levine
·2 min read

The inevitability of death is the theme of their new album, but synth-pop legend Depeche Mode demonstrated the power of rebirth in the sold-out opening show of its new tour at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.

Appearing on the concert stage for the first time in five years, and the first time since the death of founding keyboardist Andy Fletcher, the band played songs from its new album “Memento Mori” along with some of its new wave anthems from the 1980s. The album, the group’s 15th, was set to be released Friday.

Remaining original band members songwriter/guitarist Martin Gore and vocalist Dave Gahan kept the album title, which translates to “remember you must die,” after Fletcher’s unexpected death in 2022. Gore has said in interviews that the loss “cemented the idea that we had to carry on with these songs and the title.”

Fletcher was remembered during “World in My Eyes” while youthful photos of him were projected behind the group.

“My friend Andy Fletcher,” said Gahan.

The band is no stranger to Sacramento, where it has played retired venues Cal Expo Amphitheatre and Arco Arena. Its last local visit was at Golden 1 Center in 2018.

Gahan and Gore started their encore with a duet of “Waiting for the Night” from their 1990 album “Violator.” Before concluding with “Personal Jesus,“ they played “Never Let Me Down Again” — their 1987 song that recently experienced a streaming bump for its world-building appearance in the HBO zombie series “The Last of Us.”

The band’s 80-date world tour continues Saturday in San Jose and Tuesday in Los Angeles before leaving California, where the tour concludes in December with shows in San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.

Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens opened for the group.

Vocalist Dave Gahan, center, and songwriter-guitarist-keyboardist Martin Gore, far left, the two remaining original members of Depeche Mode, play the sold-out first show at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, for their “Memento Mori” world tour.
Vocalist Dave Gahan, center, and songwriter-guitarist-keyboardist Martin Gore, far left, the two remaining original members of Depeche Mode, play the sold-out first show at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, for their “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Songwriter/guitarist Martin Gore, left, and vocalist Dave Gahan, the two remaining original members of Depeche Mode, play the sold-out first show for their “Memento Mori” world tour at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Songwriter/guitarist Martin Gore, left, and vocalist Dave Gahan, the two remaining original members of Depeche Mode, play the sold-out first show for their “Memento Mori” world tour at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore plays the guitar during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore plays the guitar during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan dances during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan dances during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode vocalist Dave Gahan sings during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore plays the guitar during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore plays the guitar during the sold-out concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the first show of the band’s “Memento Mori” world tour.
Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens opens the sold-out Depeche Mode concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens opens the sold-out Depeche Mode concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens opens the sold-out Depeche Mode concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Welsh electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens opens the sold-out Depeche Mode concert at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.

Setlist for Depeche Mode’s first “Memento Mori” concert

  • Intro: Speak to Me (Outro)

  • My Cosmos Is Mine

  • Wagging Tongue

  • Walking in My Shoes

  • It’s No Good

  • Sister of Night

  • In Your Room

  • Everything Counts

  • Precious

  • Speak to Me

  • A Question of Lust

  • Soul With Me

  • Ghosts Again

  • I Feel You

  • A Pain That I’m Used To

  • World in My Eyes

  • Wrong

  • Stripped

  • John the Revelator

  • Enjoy the Silence


Encore

  • Waiting for the Night

  • Just Can’t Get Enough

  • Never Let Me Down Again

  • Personal Jesus