Depeche Mode
16.06.2019 Live @ Stadio Olimpico, Roma

THE REVIEW

June 16, 2009, after years of Velvet, Link, Disturbed Frequencies, Ferrara sotto le stelle, etc., the turning point! My first concert at the stadium, let's go see "Depeche Mode" live at the Olimpico.

The expected audience is 50,000 people. Dave Gahan has recently had serious health issues but we are convinced he will give his best.

Departure with my husband to reach friends in Rome. We are hosted in the Eur area so it takes quite a bit of effort to reach the Olimpico using various modes of transport.

The four of us are in front of the stadium, our friend Lety arrives quickly with beers but we have to hurry because they start very punctually, actually almost early.

There they are!!! One of the bands that survived the Eighties and him, Dave, one of the most stylish, charismatic, and thrilling frontmen ever.

The thrill of the crowd's roar as "In Chains" is played is wonderful.

Thanks to the giant screen, even from our "old folks" positions we can see them very well. The Roman heat is devastating; it feels like August. We target the beer man and in the end, we count many beers per person but they are essential. From "Walking in My Shoes," it is pure delirium, exchanged glances with Letizia also underline the singer's sex appeal and his ability to dominate the stage.

Even Martin Gore is quite in shape and sings the beautiful "Home" masterfully.

The setlist is dense and doesn't allow for any breaks in the wild dance! "A Question of Time" follows "It's No Good," leaving no room for a pause. Lety had the good idea of bringing two fans (which are also very chic).

The sensual "I Feel You" anticipates "Enjoy the Silence." The audience sings, participates, the magic happens. We four also feel connected by an electric shock.

Dave strips, he is beautiful, dances, winks, then rides the wonderful anthem to friendship (for someone or something) of "Never Let Me Down Again." The music is relentless but then the urge to dance on the chair comes with "Stripped."

The true peak, though, begins with the "old" "Master and Servant" and the almost nerve-wracking wait for "Personal Jesus," which explodes with immense pleasure after about a quarter of an hour of intro and the audience as always distorts the song from "Reach out touch faith" to "Reach out touch Dave."

Dave has devilish eyes while singing it and stirs the hormones of the entire, absolutely entire audience.

At the end of the concert, our friend Lety says goodbye, she has a young child at home. We are guided by Giacomo, also known as the Gentle Giant. No taxis are available, so we walk along the Tiber to Piazza di Spagna. Then, finding a taxi, we move to Testaccio for a sandwich and another beer, and from there, to be honest, the memories are vague. My husband complains of not having slept at all due to the Gentle Giant's snoring, whereas I had golden dreams instead.

I know it has already been reviewed, but I get excited every time I think about it and I wanted to share this joy with you.