Due to personal problems Depeche Mode could not perform at Pinkpop 2009. Since they were booked as the closing act, many festival goers were disappointed. The DVD / CD box Tour Of The Universe is a must for all fans who missed the band in Landgraaf. On the first disc we see a registration of two shows from Barcelona where Depeche Mode brings a mix of old and new songs to a frenzied audience. The
… English band ignores some of the hit material in favor of the singles from the recently released and well-received Sounds Of The Universe. The show is entertaining, partly due to the beautiful design by Anton Corbijn. Almost even more interesting than the live show is the documentary on the second disc. Here the band shows themselves from a different side and the viewer gets to know how the old hands are weighed down by their murderous tour schedule. To make matters worse, singer Dave Gahan is told he has cancer. The band is candid about all the problems behind the scenes and this only makes the good live show more special. (JE)more
