The House of Blues in Anaheim, CA recently served as a portal to the past, whisking attendees off to the zenith of the synth-pop epoch for an extraordinary evening with Men Without Hats and Strangelove – The Depeche Mode Experience. Their exceptional performance was a much-needed end-of-year revival that underscored the significance of live music (and the ’80s in particular) to fans here in Southern California.
Strangelove – The Depeche Mode Experience, the opener for the evening, set the mood with their faithful renditions of beloved Depeche Mode classics. The tribute band’s attention to detail was impressive, from their meticulous recreation of DM’s signature sound to their spot-on imitations of the iconic band’s stage presence.
Their 15-song set was a nostalgic journey that had the crowd singing along to every word of every song. Standout performances included “Stripped,” “Everything Counts,” and my favorite “Enjoy the Silence.” Each of these classics were all spot on from a sonic perspective. Simply put, Leo, Brent, Julian, James, and Chris are some of the best in the musicians in the business, and this collective might be the best tribute to Depeche Mode on the planet today—bar none.
Following Strangelove’s energy-filled opening act, Men Without Hats took to the stage and instantly captivated the audience with their charismatic presence. The Canadian new wave band wasted no time in launching into their hits, starting with the timeless anthem “The Safety Dance.” The crowd erupted in cheers and immediately began dancing along to the infectious beat. And this was a real treat because in most cases, an iconic song like that would be the very end of the set. Not this time.
Frontman Ivan Doroschuk’s energy was contagious as he commanded the stage, his voice as powerful and distinctive as ever. The band’s performance of “Where Do The Boys Go” was a standout moment for me, sparking a wave of nostalgia that swept through the audience. His background story prior to beginning this classic brought tears to my eyes as it did many in the audience. However, the vibrant tune had everyone on their feet, singing and dancing along. Another tune that had the near capacity crowd losing their mind was one of my favorites, “Pop Goes the World.” It was just as awesome live as the first time I heard it back in 1987.
As the dust cleared and the house lights gently illuminated the venue, both Men Without Hats and Strangelove had delivered performances that cemented the enduring appeal of the synth-pop era. The night was awash with nostalgia, energy, and superb music, serving as the perfect antidote to the pre-Christmas frenzy often experienced by many at this time of the year. For those lucky enough to be in attendance, it was a fantastic experience that put an exclamation point on a crazy 2023 concert calendar here in Southern California.
STRANGELOVE
