A new ROLLING STONE special issue will be in stores from February 2nd, 2024: “Depeche Mode”. The story of the legendary band on 164 pages, with all ROLLING STONE interviews and many other insights, detailed live reports, as well as rare and iconic photos by Anton Corbijn and others.
>>> Order the Depeche Mode special issue in the shop here
In addition to interviews with Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher, it also includes conversations with fans, including the band biographer Dennis Burmeister and Sascha Lange as well as the presenter and author Markus Kavka.
You can read an excerpt from the conversation with Markus Kavka here.
Where and when did you last see Depeche Mode live – and what did you think of it?
That was in Berlin, in July 2023 – and it was one of the greatest Depeche Mode concerts in a long time. There were so many unknowns beforehand: it was the first time I saw her without Fletch. What would that be like, how would they feel about it? How do you incorporate Fletch into the concert, what does the stage look like? And above all: what is it like without his contribution? How big it was remains to be seen – but in terms of dynamics it makes a difference whether there are two or three of you. Suddenly the good friend is gone. I was very excited about all of this, and when we got to the Olympic Stadium, we noticed that everyone had similar thoughts. There was so much cheering when it started! That was the first goosebumps moment. The second at “Everything -Counts”.
I can’t remember the last time I thought the song was so great live. And then “World In My Eyes”, the Fletch moment… That was so perfect, so respectful and at the same time unpathetic – the way Fletch was thought of on stage did him exactly justice. No big speeches, just these photos while listening to his favorite song. I had tears in my eyes then. That was neither too little nor too cheesy… You can rely on Martin and Dave – they hit the right note. And of course also Anton, as art director for the stage design.
It was also one of the best concerts in a long time because the new material is one of the best in a long time. I like “Memento Mori” much better than the records before it. And the special circumstances surrounding Fletch’s death released new emotions – in the band and the audience, and the interaction between the two was so special. Depeche Mode fans have always had the feeling that they are united by a special spirit. That’s why I felt comfortable among them from the start. As a boy from a Bavarian village who was always a bit left out with his style and taste in music, I didn’t know where I fit in for a long time. There was always Dresche in the village, and then I discovered Depeche Mode when I was fourteen. I was a really big fan “Construction Time Again” – I was sixteen then. However, I didn’t go to a concert until 1986.