Depeche Mode

Hot on the heels of their latest album Industrial Complex which followed a 15-year break, the Ebb returned to provide an abrasive back-to-basics support for their synth-friendly bedfellows.

A sterling effort yet it's an odd feeling to witness music that's rarely ventured out of intimate post-punk piss-holes performed in such a large arena.

That certainly isn't true of the Mode, who've played nothing but arenas for 20 years.

They appear picked out by gigantic floodlights as part of the British leg of their modestly titled Tour Of The Universe.

Among the silhouettes of front man Dave Gahan, the peroxide perm of guitarist and songwriter Martin Gore and synth-man Andrew Fletcher, the first weird notes of In Chains - the opener of their equally modest latest album Sounds Of The Universe - ring out.

Good as the album is, it isn't really what hardcore Mode fans came to hear.

Fortunately, apart from three other tracks from the album, the trio offer a spectacular set of poignant dystopian beats and heartfelt vocals that is their latter-day back catalogue.

Those hoping to enjoy their chirpier early hits such as Everything Counts, Just Can't Get Enough and People Are People are likely left disappointed.

Gore's versatility is without a doubt the most impressive aspect of the show - after all the Mode's legacy can be more or less pinned on him - and he is left on stage half-way through the set to sing a beautiful version of Freelove. The melodious A Question Of Lust off the album Black Celebration is the first of many encores demanded by the crowd.

Yet the most memorable crowd-pleasing moment follow Home as the group are forced to briefly pause as an enraptured audience chants the track's closing riff for minutes on end.

It was always going to be a challenge for any band with such a wealth of outstanding tracks spanning almost 30 years of recording to pluck out the gems for a two-hour set.

Fortunately Walking In My Shoes, It's No Good, World In My Eyes, Policy Of Truth and Enjoy The Silence make the running order.

And just when people start to fear they won't play it, Personal Jesus finally rears its lovely head - a superb finish to a highly elating experience.