So these are taken by Kai who has a much better cameraphone. There are five pictures in all.

It was a great concert. Ever since Harald Are Lund at NRK played a track from New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) on my crappy radio back in 1980 or something, I have loved Simple Minds. I play all their records on my iPod, but must admit that New Gold Dream still is my favourite (and the one giving the name to this site).

We came early, and without trying hard at all, we ended up at the front row. Which was brilliant. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill singing and playing a meter away.

After the concert we were standing outside, talking. Then a friend of mine, let’s just call him Gunnar, wants to have a beer. It’s sunday, it’s almost 23:00 at night, and all of us are going to work at 7:00 next morning. For some strange reason Gunnar wins the discussion, and we cross the street heading for the pub. Next thing that happens is that Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor and Charlie Burchill comes out, passes the spot where Gunnar wanted the bear, and heads for the band bus.

Thanks, Gunnar. I promised to remind you about everytime we talk about music, concerts or drinking for the rest of my life, so consider this a start. Who knows, maybe even nice people like Jim and Charlie wouldn’t have stopped for a chat with five fans outside a venue in the cold February night in Oslo… Or maybe they would have.

Where’s my iPod?

(Image by elle-enne, from their concert in Milano, 19th February 2006).

About half way through the concert Martin Gore and David Gahan managed to wake up the audience. Or rather, managed to communicate. As the band’s biggest hits came, people starting jumping, singing and participating. After two extra sets, Depeche Mode ended the concert with a poetic goodnight song. During the two hours, we heard all their biggest hits, and Oslo Spektrum was hot and singing the last 30 minutes of the concert.

Cold to warm

As I said, the visuals were great. Lots of realtime processing of live cameras, with overlays, distortion, graphics and video clips. One of the best shows I have seen.

If I were to give it a score, 2 on the dice the first half, 5 in the second half. 5 for the visuals. Overall: A strong 4 (of 6).

Did you see this concert or any other Depeche Mode concerts on this tour? What do you think?

BTW, here’s the Wikipedia entry on Depeche Mode.

Update: Reviews

Norwegian newspapers rate the concert as top class. Aftenposten writes “The triumph continues” and says the concert was full of both sex and spirituality. Aftenposten gives it 6 of 6.

Dagbladet gives the concert 5 of 6: “It’s close to impossible to miss with the songs of Depeche Mode, and a lead singer like Dave Gahan”. Dagbladet thinks the concert was lifted up on a higher level after “I feel you”, which is exactly the same feeling I had.

Side2 gives the concert 5 of 6 on the dice. Side2 thinks Martin Gore lacks some of the intensity Dave Gahan has, and that the concert was a “best of” with lots of climaxes.

Depeche Mode played these tracks in Oslo:

• A pain that i’m used to
• John the revelator
• Question of time
• Policy of truth
• Precious
• Walking in my shoes
• Suffer well
• Damaged people
• Home
• I want it all
• Sinner in me
• I feel you
• Behind the wheel
• World in my eyes
• Personal jesus
• Enjoy the silence
• Question of lust
• Just can’t get enough
• Everything counts
• Never let me down
• Goodnight lovers

Picture yourself driving in a rickety old Lincoln four-door convertible, one that looks suspiciously like the one in which JFK was assassinated, but to avoid criticism, you lie and say that it was made several years after his death. The air is cold on your face and you wonder why you’re even driving a convertible on such a cold night. The car is an orchestra of noises; there’s a rhythmic ping noise coming from behind the dash, a repetitive clicking in the passenger side paneling and thick fuzz spewing from the speakers.

You’re driving down a long highway and you see a dirt road to the right that leads to an old refinery, lit up like a tiny city. You’re compelled by the thousands of dotted lights and the smell of oil, so you veer off the road and the Lincoln bumps its way to the factory. Then it starts raining. By now you’re driving through the factory, and just after the rain starts, there’s a huge explosion on the other side of the factory and a loud alarm goes off right around you.

Throughout all of this, your little brother is, for some reason, sitting in the backseat playing the original Mario Brothers on Nintendo and beating Bowser.

Read it here. The concert in Oslo is February 28, 2006.

When you try your best but you don’t succeed

When you get what you want but not what you need

When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can’t replace

When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Only a day left.

I know Chris Martin loves your songs, and I know that you know he does.

a-ha is playing in Köln October 29, but the next concert isn’t until November 13 in Brüssels.

So here’s the perfect occation: Do a duo.

Coldplay – Centre Bell, Montréal, 03.08.2005 – 07

Originally uploaded to Flickr fusaka.

Coldplay is playing here in Oslo at October 31. Tickets are in house, and concert added to Upcoming. Add yourself if you’re going!

R.E.M. is playing here in Oslo tonight.

I feel like the man on the moon.