Gahan and gang are always in mode

Depeche Mode, LG Arena Birmingham

If there was one music act with the X Factor last night, it was Depeche Mode at Birmingham's LG Arena.

From the moment Dave Gahan strode on stage he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

While there was enough to keep those after a taste of nostalgia happy, this was far from an 80s and 90s flashback as the electro music stars opened with In Chains and Wrong, both tracks from their latest album, Sounds of the Universe.

They were a good warm-up for the likes of Walking in My Shoes and Question of Time – which sent everyone into a dancing frenzy.

Dressed in black trousers anda black waistcoat, frontman Gahan was on fine form, despite a health scare earlier this year in which he underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his bladder.

The energetic singer showcased his trademark dance moves that included hip-shaking as well enjoying a close relationship with his mic stand – not too dissimilar to the way a pole dancer would move.

Martin Gore appeared in an Elvis-style silver sequinned jacket and seemed to have a different guitar for every other track.

He provided a brief respite for Gahan performing a number of tracks including the haunting ballad Home.

Then it was back to the pounding Gahan who whipped up the crowd yet again with the likes of Policy of Truth, I Feel You and Enjoy the Silence.

As Gahan waved his hands to Never Let Me Down Again, the thousands in the audience followed his lead with a sea of arms up in the air across the arena.

For the encore, the trio gave us Stripped and one of the best Depeche singles ever, Personal Jesus.

It may be almost 30 years since they formed, but Depeche Mode still have that special X Factor when it comes to performing live.

By Maria Cusine.