I haven't seen New Order live, but Depeche Mode is amazing live and can still put on a great show at least 5 or so years ago when I saw them last with their main trio. RIP Fletcher, I only wish I got to see them with Wilder so I definitely missed their best lineup. Regardless so fortunate to have made that concert at least! Depeche Mode is probably one of the best sounding live shows I've been to and I've seen a lot of concerts. Overall catalog / # of songs = DM (stated by most already), prime I can see why some are picking New Order, both are great though. Also, don't get me wrong New Order is amazing, but have to stick with Depeche Mode.
This is also a very important callout, I always wonder what could have been if things were different for some of these bands.
With all these 80s electronic threads, we really need a "best drum machine" thread. 808? 909? E mu drumulator? Linn LM2?
For me, it would be hard to pick between Pet Shop and Depeche Mode. I'd probably go Depeche Mode given the number of great albums and variety in their songs. Looking at their 101 album, it is mindboggling how many great songs they had by then - and that doesn't include personal favorites like the ones posted above (But not tonight)... New Order is a distant 3rd for me - especially given how they are just too washed up live. Great, but not in the same league. The other two bands put on a great show even today.
Yes as much as there is for a-ha, Alphaville, Ultravox, Soft Cell, Gary Numan, Heaven 17, and Human League combined! But seriously I could always listen to some good synth pop - the best new or current artist doing synth pop is Chvrches.
very underrated in the U.S. Depeche Mode was highly influenced by OMD in their early years. In the early years, OMD always claimed they were influenced by Kraftwerk. But then when OMD played in Germany, Kraftwerk was in the audience..the members of Kraftwerk came backstage after the show and told OMD how much they were influenced by OMD. Turned out, they were literally influencing each other. Saw OMD last May. They still puts on a great show. Written in 1979..could pass for 1983-84.
We played the crap out of OMD. They were and still are one of my favorite groups. I put that "Best of OMD" album on repeat for many hours. I'd put OMD above Depeche Mode on my list, too. So there!
My drug addled brain on the dance floor in late 80's early 90's would have said that's splitting hairs.
So I picked New Order and stand by my pick but I saw this and now I am thinking that I made a mistake. This was from yesterday and I am sorry but this is better than anything New Order is doing these days: In their prime - New Order but today? Depeche Mode easily.
Depeche Mode added new dates for 2023...including Austin, so...yes, I'll be seeing them in SA and Austin....F'n livenation.
