Depeche Mode Reach for 'Jesus' at Lollapalooza

Posted on Aug 8th 2009 9:46AM by Garin Pirnia
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Only one thing stood between Depeche Mode and total Lollapalooza Day One domination: Kings of Leon. The crowd was surprisingly sparse for the UK rockers, many choosing instead to check out the Followill brothers' headlining set. That didn't deter Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan, though.

The band opened with 'In Chains' from their latest album, 'Sounds of the Universe,' with a barrage of visually enticing yet strange graphics of God projected onto the stage monitors. The images would continue throughout the night while Depeche Mode covered both new and old tunes. But it wasn't until about an hour into the set that the band began to pick up steam, and in turn, riled the crowd. Gahan kept prodding fans to sing along, shouting "Let me hear you, Chicago!"

The fans were certainly heard by the time the encores came around, with renditions of 'Stripped' and a countrified yet magnetic version of 'Personal Jesus.' Ending before the runtime of two hours, Depeche Mode said goodnight and turned off the lights even though Kings of Leon continued to ignite their crowd on the other side of Chicago's Grant Park.