Depeche Mode’s Tour in France has already started since their first appearance in Amnéville, September 25^th 2001, but in most french fans mind, Bercy is THE event of the tour.
This venue that they were the first to fully fill in 1984, welcome them at every tour with always the same enthusiasm and pleasure.
This first Parisian night is symbolized already by a sunny day, within which only one shower would bother the hundred of fans already standing in front of the venue.
Waiting happens in a good mood and give us finally the opportunity to meet people with whom we have been discussing on the Internet until then.

Around 7 PM, doors open finally, leading people to this magnificent cathedral dedicated tonight to Depeche Mode.
Time to shyly heat up the venue with screams and waving, Fad Gadget, the open act, enters on stage to deliver us once again their strange show. Some of us starts to know pretty well every song, singing energically on the famous "Ricky’s Hand", with Franck Tovey’s well known drilling machine. Daniel Miller is already in the house…
Parisian public (not quite though) gladly welcomes, for once, this open act. In fact, each DM open act used to be quite disappointing. But this time, the very good new wave sound and this very charismatic front man give a great opportunity to heat up before their idols come.
By the way, we could not ignore the few TV camera shown that day. They were here to remind us that Master Corbijn was here to prepare a forthcoming moment of happiness : A Live DVD in which we will be immortalized.

9:30 PM. Light goes off and Bercy fires up. Red lights are moving while "Easy Tiger" starts, before Martin Gore appears on stage. He’s actually playing "Dream On" guitar riff.
Then a deaf humming starts off. Sirens of "The Dead Of Night" point Dave Gahan’s appearance, accompanied by the howls of the thousands of people present in the venue.
It is remarkable to see how DM loves the public of Bercy. Smiles on lips, certainly influenced by TV cameras, DM offers to Bercy "The Sweetest Condition", a new extract of their last album, Exciter. The public is there, and many are those who sing along.
A bluish environment now surrounds "Halo", first extract of Violator and certainly not the last which we will hear this evening. The public, upright, with pleasure discovers the good shape and the good mood of the group.
"Walking in My Shoes" follows up. This version is for me the best I’ve ever heard until now. Peter Gordeno on keyboard, adds to basic melody lines, sounds which still shivers me.
Now, one song that became a great classic in France : "Dream On". The public, even the less expert, has no difficulty to sing "Caaaaaaan You Feeeeel A Little Looooove".
We enter now the calm phase in the concert. Four songs, strong with emotions, where we can observe how Dave Gahan worked hard on his voice. "When The Body Speaks", where Dave Gahan, in a ritual way invites Martin Gore to join him on the front of the stage : "Come Closer Martin", but especially a final, very moving, where Dave, just with a very intimate "chhhhhhh" invites the public to keep silent and to enjoy this moment. "Waiting For The Night [ To Fall ]" remains in my opinion the most beautiful duet between Dave and Martin. The simplicity of the first film of Corbijn on the large background screen, adds to this atmosphere close to meditation. Many are those which cannot retain their tears.
Now Martin comes to the front of the stage and starts to sing to the greatest surprise and for the greatest happiness of the public "It Doesn’t Matter Two". Peter Gordeno accompanies at the piano with a masterly manner Martin on this piece and the images of Monument Valley at the back add to the beauty of this song
Then follows a title which really explode on live : "Breathe". It begins gently, practically a capella, for finally shivering the public on a 50’s rhythm appreciated by all. The simplicity of the words marvelously allows Martin to express his talent as a singer and we particularly appreciate emotions which come out from his voice.
When Dave Gahan returns on stage, it’s to sing "Freelove". The forthcoming single is extremely well welcomed by the public which sing with enthusiasm the " Ooooooooooh ooooooooooh just Freelove ". The communion is perfect but without any comparison with what is next.
Bercy is one to interpret "Enjoy The Silence". Bercy is full of electricity. The standing and seating areas jump at the same rhythm and interpret with force this anthem. The group and the public explode literally on this title and the drum solo of Christian Eigner introduces a new interpretation which will remain in all the memories. Mr. Martin Lee Gore jumps as he never did before offering us an impressive guitar solo.
Not to stop mentioning talents of Christian with drums, "I Feel You" begins on a huge bit : all the members
of the group are there, around Christian, playing, jumping everywhere, before Dave starts to sing this splendid piece of rock’n’roll. Drums become now an essential instrument in DM, and we are numerous to think that Christian largely deserves his official place within the group.
But this is not finished, two chorus-singers appear for the title "In Your Room" with in the background a golden fish who plays with a shark. It’s fire. Many people enjoys imitating the choreography of the two chorus-singers. Dave sings marvelously well on this title and the public is charmed. It’s big DM we have tonight.
" It’s No Good " takes over with a new background film of Corbijn: Dave shows up in a cafe to have his breakfast, served by a pretty blonde who ignores him outrageously. Then Martin and Fletch arrive to drink a coffee. The three are making fun of Dave for finally even leaving him by himself. I wish I could comfort him!
Then the stage changes, with luminous crosses going down from the sky, driven by the bit of "Personal Jesus". All the public sing the chorus while raising their arms. The group enjoys really much this performance.