Depeche Mode

On November 5th, the British band - Depeche Mode - came back to Toronto with their Memento Mori World Tour and filled the Scotiabank Arena with a mix of nostalgia, emotion, and energy. Most of the crowd were Gen Xers and Boomers, fans who had grown up with the band, and you could tell how much this night meant to them. From the very beginning, the atmosphere felt special, like a reunion between old friends and the music that has been with them for years.

Dave Gahan, the lead singer, had a unique presence on stage. He moved in funny and eccentric ways- spinning around, doing dramatic poses, even pointing at the crowd playfully - but somehow it all worked perfectly. His stage presence was strong and captivating. He didn’t say much between songs, but the way he moved and performed said everything.

The setlist was a perfect mix of their new songs and classic hits. They started with tracks form their newest album, like “My Cosmos Is Mine” and “Ghosts Again”, but it was during the classics when the whole arena really came alive. When “Enjoying the Silence” and “Precious” started playing, thousands of people sang along at the same time. It was beautiful - like the entire room became one single voice.

There was also a quiet, emotional moment when Martin Gore sang “Home” and “Strangelove” in an acoustic set. His voice was soft but powerful, and I gave the concert a very intimate feeling. Later, during “World in My Eyes”, the screen showed photos of Andy Fletcher, the band’s late member, and the audience responded with applause and silence. It was a touching tribute.

The visuals on stage were simple but effective. A big glowing “M” stood in the background, and the lighting changed with every song to match the mood. There weren’t any crazy effects or fireworks -just good music, meaningful visuals, and a band that knows exactly who they are.

One thing that made this concert really special was the connection between the band and fans. People didn’t just come to hear music - they came to feel something together. And even if this tour came after some difficult years for the band, they still gave everything. Toronto didn’t just get a concert. We've got a night to remember.

Check out Depeche Mode Here

Words and photos: Laura Agudelo Montoya