Depeche Mode and Alan Wilder make headlines
Depeche Mode have done it again! Not only did they play a historic show today, but they may have topped themselves when it comes to their legendary performances. Not only did they play the Royal Albert Hall for the first time, but they made it such a unique performance that it might even rival their most talked about and revered live moments. And the appearance of Alan Wilder has made the show their most talked about in years, with press from all around the globe covering it.
The London Evening Standard, say Depeche Mode set the bar high for the following Teenage Cancer Trust shows: “They couldn’t have set the bar higher if they had personally placed it on the Albert Memorial.”
LA Weekly wrote: “When we saw this video of Alan Wilder playing piano as Martin Gore sang “Somebody” on Facebook this morning, we thought it was some Depeche Mode fan inside-joke. After all, Wilder left the band about fifteen years ago and any speculation that he may someday return to the fold, even for one night, seemed to be little more than wishful thinking. But, it’s true, at last night’s Depeche Mode show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Wilder appeared to play the make-out classic”.
Writes Consequence Of Sound: “Wilder joined Depeche Mode for a performance of “Somebody” during the band’s set at the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert last night. Explaining the basis for the reunion in a newly posted blog entry on his website, Wilder wrote, “Dave contacted me a few weeks back and asked if I’d be willing to join them on-stage. He assured me that everyone in the band was into the idea. I was very happy to accept, especially as it was all in a good cause and we were long overdue some kind of reunion of this sort. It was great to see everyone again and catch up a bit, and it was also the first time I have actually ’seen’ Depeche Mode perform!”.”
18 Comments
19 February 10 at 2:21pm
1
Wow, you know it was a big event if it made international headlines! Well done DM!
19 February 10 at 6:58pm
2
Brilliant move. Bring back Alan to produce the next album!
20 February 10 at 7:05pm
3
This is the best DM news we've had in years! Of course, it means nothing beyond the obvious but how good did it feel to see Alan playing Somebody with Martin again? If only the act could repeat itself. Alan and DM back together? Miracles do happen.
20 February 10 at 7:19pm
4
I will pray for a reunion!!!!
21 February 10 at 12:53pm
5
I'm still reeling from the shock, disbelief, and joy. And after years of trying to be Joe Reasonable ('come on, quit dreaming, Alan Wilder will not return to Depeche Mode as long as John Lennon's dead') I do find myself fantasizing about a re-formation; or at LEAST a production job ? Depeche Mode 2012 Studio album, 'produced by Alan Wilder and Depeche Mode'. AT LEAST that. Pretty please ? Sounds of the Universe is their first truly lazy record, with a good half of the tunes sounding like they could have used major arrangement surgery (or in a few cases, euthanasia) - now is a better time than ever to bring Charlie back.
22 February 10 at 6:15pm
6
I too would love to see Alan produce the next album, but doubt it. Sounds of the Universe was anything but lazy! It was their best ablum since Ultra!
24 February 10 at 5:43pm
7
I still remember as clear as a day where I was and what I was doing and thinking the moment when I found out that Alan leaves the group. It was devastating! SOFAD is my favorite album ever, afterwards DM have only occasionally reached that top - Suffer well, John the revelator and Wrong are the latest standouts. I always felt like Alan's departure was kind of string of bad lucks that all came together. If only the fans could somehow prevent it, we would do it. Now, let's hope it's a happy ending for DM with Alan IN there. I believe that all good intentions sooner or later are appreciated. And the reunion would make everybody happy and the world - a better place. Thank You, Alan and DM for your Music!
25 February 10 at 8:17am
8
Sounds Of The Universe is DM's best album to date, officially my #1 fave DM album now. But the thought of Alan Wilder re-joining the band is exciting. But I thhink Depeche Mode have done fine without him.
26 February 10 at 12:56pm
9
I have always believed that Alan would have returned back to Depeche Mode. Of course the gig in London wasn't his great come back, but perhaps this is a small sign of the return of Alan back to the band? I have always wished this happening again. Alan was my favorite member of Depeche Mode. His presence was great in the band and he helped a lot on the music production. I really want the next tour to have these 4 guys! Of course I don't underestimate the assistants in the drums, keyboard and voices, but for me, the real Depeche Mode and their concerts are set up by Gahan, Gore, Wilder and Fletcher. I would really like to see this band with Wilder on stage for 2 hours and not only for Somebody! Please Wilder, please Depeche Mode, reunite!
07 March 10 at 12:32am
10
Well don't get me wrong - SOTU isn't anything to be ashamed of in my mind either. It just feels like their least consistent, least dynamic release in a long while. There are some fabulous and brave songs on it (Wrong comes to mind), but also some truly dispensable ones (the bonus tracks were so much better than some of the stuff on there), and although I love the experimentation with vintage analogue textures and leads, there is something about the production and arrangement work that robs too many of the tracks of any dynamics or drama - so many of them just flatline all the way. Think of how even deliberately repetitive things like Policy of truth or I Feel You used to go through these incredible highs then intimate lows; then listen to Hole to Feed or Peace and they feel a bit flat, half-realized, under-developed. I still like the album and I love a good half of the songs on it, and I loved both of the tour dates I was at - but I'd also really love to see Alan help them get that sense of racing pulse back.
08 March 10 at 10:38am
11
I've been a fan of DM for 22 years now and although I think they've done well without Alan in the band, it hasn't been the same since his departure. His production skills would benefeit the again! Another thing, Everybody raves about how good the shows are and they are good but come on DM! Aside from the new material, Since SOFAD, they pretty much play all the same standards now, which are good songs but I'd like to hear something else for a change. Strangelove, M*S was a start, not to mention the occassional other tracks but would anybody really be all that upset if they dropped IFY, Somebody, etc. oh let's say for Something To Do, Lie To Me, The Things You Said, even some b-sides! Make the older fans happy!
10 March 10 at 7:24pm
12
This is fantastic!!! Allows one to dream a little bit. Would be amazing if he returned to Depeche Mode.....
19 March 10 at 12:33am
13
Nice to hear of alan performing, alibeit briefly, with DM again. SOFAD is my fave DM album ever, SOTU good, but not great.
06 April 10 at 11:48pm
14
I so agree with you Michel J - Peace and Hole to Feed total flatliners. I reckon Alan Wilder and Dominatrix to produce the next (and probably last) DM album. Now that would be awesome! Come on Mart get writing!
09 April 10 at 9:05am
15
It would be a miracle if Alan rejoin the band..but we all hope in this miracle!
13 May 10 at 2:59pm
16
If they rejoin, they will make the best albums ever these people will have been capable. I'm sorry to say, but their latest ablums after SOFAD just gone to pieces. There is no any surprise in their songs, no fresh idea, no fresh soundings. I'm sure, DM band members know that too, very well.
13 May 10 at 3:10pm
17
Moreover. I think that in these days, when we are provided by flooding music productions day-to-day, but with nothing special in real, it is time for DM to come up with a genius album again. Do you remember to the feedback, when you released Violator? That was a miracle! It is a vacuum now. Can't you hear it MEN?
19 September 10 at 8:09pm
18
Alan Wilder really needs to return to Depeche Mode. DM really needs him, and now this is a really good chance to ask Alan to rejoin DM... Of course, they should let him continue his solo projects too. We all now Dave waits for Alan with arms spread wide. Please, Alan Charlie Wilder, please rejoin DM!! WE BEG FOR THIS! DM NEEDS YOU! YOU WILL MAKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAPPIER IF YOU DO THAT! YOU WILL CREATE GOOD MUSIC!