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Live Review
by SashaS
11-7-2003
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| Dave Gahan: birth of another RockGod? |
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Live: Dave Gahan
Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Dave Gahan: rockingly spirited show, alert!
Having seen Depeche Mode on several occasions in differently sized venues, we expected Dave Gahan solo show to be good but not this HUGE. It was rocktastic, actually! Some indications were evident on his debut album, ‘Paper Monsters’, of the rockier orientation but nothing to suggest this magnitude. Released from the confines and restraints the darkness of the band imposes by its style, Gahan has simply let his rockist soul to take over.
And, losing his shirt by the second number to reveal well-toned body, Gahan simply appeared to be fuelled by the joy of playing and audience’s reaction to be animated, totally engaging, vital. After a band progresses from the smaller venues they lose that feel and over-project but not Mr Gahan: he is here, present and accounting for every tone, every rocking drop of sweat. And, it is so nice to see deepening skin marked with wrinkles by a naked eye rather than via a jumbo-screen!?
At so many moments he’s recalling David Bowie in his prime days and twirling that mike stand, it was vintage Rod Stewart. No, this are not disses but compliments to a performer that equals such legends. He’s naturally the centre of attention and the fans appear to be hardcore Mode-ernists who’ve managed to memorize every word from his quite recent CD!? Sing-alongs are constant, arms-waving as often as heartbeats, adoration almost touchable.
The slight letdown is his backing band that looks like what they are, viz. hired hands, and have left their enthusiasm and charismas somewhere alongside the session-trail. They are solid musos but add nothing to the collective presentation, aside the bass-player who resembled The Clash’s Paul Simenon and attempted few poses.
‘Dirty Sticky Fingers’, ‘Hold On’, ‘Bottle Living’, ‘Black And Blue Inside’, ‘I Need You’ (next single), ‘Hidden Houses’ are songs that map his tragic-cum-near-death turned-around life but do not sound depressing, the issues are rocked-up and … out. Later on, he performs ‘Personal Jesus’ and other Mode’s songs, ending with ‘Enjoy The Silence’. One wonders if there was a message in the last choice.
First, after such a liberating and cathartic experience of solo work, Gahan can’t go back to the band to merely interpret Martin Gore’s songs´, as he already stated in a German interview, and is bound to demand a bigger slice of songwriting pie which will alter the sound of the band to the rockier side, methinks. Or…
Around these dates a rumour breezed through London goss-channels of Mr Gahan’s leaving the Mute building as a solo artist that, obviously, would have put the future of the band is serious jeopardy. But, we are glad to inform all Depeche Mode fans that, “It’s Dave’s Publishing that’s with Universal Music Group; he is still very much signed to Mute,” the label categorically stresses.
Whatever state the future finds itself in, Dave Gahan, on his own, has nothing to be concerned about.
Tonight, a Rock Star has been solely re-throned.
SashaS
15-10-2001
Dave Gahan’s solo album ‘Paper Monsters’ is available now on Mute
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