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Rating: Now it's the time for calm, for silence, now I can rethink and reflect, I can relive what I shared with the 40,000 at the Olimpico... Everyone was there at the appointment: old nostalgics, last-minute fans, children, young lovers, goths... all there for them, in the great stadium of Rome, trembling, sweating, shouting. Honestly, I don't know why I'm trying, maybe my heart won't hold up, but the pen now moves by itself (yes, I know I'm a nostalgic scribe!!) and it tells of anxiety, trembles, smiles, and uncontrollable emotion... and it tells of 4 ladies who on Monday afternoon escape from their daily lives to reach a dream they've been waiting for so long, too long! So backpack on shoulders and everything else, let's dive back into this memorable July 17th...
The atmosphere in the stands is that of a big event, no one around me can keep still, we change 200 seats because ours were simply unacceptable (thanks ticketone!!) and in the end we opt for standing at the back of the stands... while I curse myself in every language for not choosing the field!
Evening falls upon us and we prepare for the Franz Ferdinand who will open the concert. The Scottish band led by Kapranos is in form, elegant, fun, and captivating. Mr. Beautiful Bob and his mates lay down one song after another from their 1st popular album and the second, carefully mixing the liveliness that distinguishes them. Songs like 'Take Me Out', 'Dark Of Matinee', and 'Fire' entertain even those four mummies next to me, whom I, naturally, don't refrain from involving even more by bouncing around them, deceiving the mind and the heart as the anxiety rises..
As soon as Franz say goodbye, we are delighted and excited by a special pre-show DJ set, as reported by the official Depeche site "..is recorded by Martin". And you can feel it damn!!! The choice of the mix set is out of this world and the adrenaline rises... the stage starts to populate with technicians and as the curtain with the angel unfurls, the audience stirs. I look around: the stands are now completely full and we are all standing, trembling, the lights dim and the neon violet and red delight erupts... it's them... it's the beginning!!
It's the first time that at the sound of sirens, a delirium of pleasure erupts, but these are those of 'A Pain That I'm Used To' and as they explode everything is allowed. Dave is in an elegant black studded suit with a vest, Gore I can't distinguish yet, he's too far, I only see Fletcher impassive behind his "spaceship". The scenography, lights, and images that will follow throughout the concert from the two side mega-screens are the work of Anton Corbijn, who now follows our Depeche without stopping... and his work is impeccable as always.
The lasers, colorful lights, and scenarios/videos change in a succession of flashes at each song. From the field, it would have been fantastic!!
Not even the time to breathe that I recognize the notes of 'A Question Of Time' the first old Depeche Mode success of this evening... oh yes, it's him!! It drags us, exalts us, and we all electrify!! Yes, Dave! It's all a matter of time because the Depeche don't stop for a moment, just the time for some quick thanks and they immediately restart with: 'Suffer Well' beautiful and 'Precious' from the latest effort, very well executed, but Gahan seems distant and not yet at 100% and 'Precious' confirms the nickname of "lackluster live".
It will be with the next 'Walking In My Shoes' that Dave will show the first signs of being there and will unleash all his fury and intensity. Indeed, this last one, together with the subsequent 'Stripped' acclaimed, will see a more animated, transgressive, involved Dave and the moment for Gore, at this point, will happen like an imaginary passing of the baton between two giants.
Martin, more calm and sensitive, with his sweet and sensual voice cradles us through our beloved 'It doesn't matter two' and 'Home' rearranged and revisited for the occasion. The concert moves smoothly if it weren't for that certain 'chorus' that now we all know all too well... but our guys don't seem too upset.
I'm not very surprised by the sequence of songs, I have the setlist well in mind and I know there won't be space for certain of my preferences... but despite this at the infamous intro of 'Behind The Wheel' I can't help but cheer happily. From here on, Gahan, Fletcher, and Gore will give us indescribable moments. They are also on a high. Dave becomes flirtatious and mischievous. I wave my arms, sing, and dance without catching my breath... then that "naughty little hand" in the "touching" 'World In My Eyes' is a flood of enjoyment for all of us... the stadium is on fire and we are a single overflowing chorus..
Imagine 40,000 people cheering for their personal Jesus and reaching out to touch their faith... yes because she is there in front of their eyes, dancing, and singing... extraordinary!!
We still can't cool down when on the screens appears THE CROWN. I shout 'Enjoy The Silence' but words are not needed, let's enjoy the 'musical silence' of this wonderful pearl from times gone by.
The guys leave us for a few minutes, time to collect ourselves and realize that everything is almost about to end like every good thing and indeed the moments follow and chase each other and as soon as Depeche comes back for the encore, Gore gifts us a splendid voice and piano version of 'Shake The Disease'. I enjoy it with a moved soul and a few tears, but it holds back the hurricane for just a moment, the time of this dreamy track, because the moment of 'Photographic' and its dark, gloomy, and chameleonic beauty... electronic, fascinating hit of the '80s weaves among us, gifting moments of joy and intense wonder.
Don't leave us!! This seems to be what the 40,000 at the Olimpico want to say keeping pace with the now ultimate epic 'Never Let Me Down Again'... and the magic happens. Time and air stand still, I remain suspended, amazed, floating and enchanted by these wonderful notes, and I think it would really be beautiful not to come back down again, not to put feet on the ground anymore..."See the stars they're shining bright, everything's alright tonight.."
Yes guys, everything is really alright tonight as it has never been!
THIS IS THE END. The concert ends with this last thought. We acclaim and call them loudly on stage. Minutes of waiting, then the lights break this last dream for this magical summer night... the rest is just memories and chills.
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