1980-05-30 Paddocks Community Center, Laindon, Essex, England, UK
A private party was held here for Deb Mann (née Danahay), who was Vince Clarke's girlfriend at the time. "Composition Of Sound", at the time comprised of Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, and Andy Fletcher, supported "French Look", which featured Martin Gore, Robert Marlow, and Paul Redmond.
A couple weeks later, "Composition Of Sound" and "French Look" played together again at 1980-06-14 St. Nicholas School, Basildon, England, UK. Depeche Mode's first concert was thus on this date (May 30th), not May 31st, 1980 at the St. Nicholas School (which actually happened a couple weeks after this concert).
In between these two gigs, "Composition Of Sound" also played at 1980-06-xx Scamps, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, England, UK supporting "The Bullies", featuring Perry Bamonte and Paul Langwith, and at Woodlands Youth Club in Basildon. Exact dates for these concerts are currently unknown.
Immense thanks to Deb Danahay Mann and Depeche Mode Classic Photos and Videos for the below photos and information.
Local Basildon fanzine 'Strange Stories' reviewed both acts:
"Two synthesizers and a bass are the structure of Composition Of Sound, as well as the inevitable drum machine. Their songs bounce along with a nice feel, but the comparison to The Cure I cannot see. Some of their numbers seemed good, but with new groups - in fact every group - they need improvement as I'm sure they know. I didn't like the version of [Phil] Spector's 'Then He Kissed Me' though. French Look opened with a tape of distorted voices straight into the force of three synthesizers. They played an hour-long set which included an old Ultravox number - twice played - and Sparks' 'Amateur Hour'. They could be better and vary their set, but I'm sure with a few gigs, their numbers will become familiar."
Daryl Bamonte gave the following response when asked about the date of DM's very first gig (please note that the concert on June 14th did indeed happen, despite Bamonte's doubts):
Dear Home,
Not sure about a show on 14th June... I did read somewhere recently - I think it was an article with Rob Marlow - that DM played another show with The French Look whereby they switched the "headliner" but I think I know the show that's being referred to - In May 1980 (It was on a Friday, so it may have been 23rd) Composition Of Sound played a show at a place called the Paddock (which was very close to St. Nicholas School) at a birthday party for a friend called Deb Danahay (who later on was Vince's girlfriend.) That was definitely a Composition Of Sound show, as Dave was doing the lights for both bands. Martin played in both bands that night. As I recall, The French Look headlined that night, and at the St. Nicholas show a short while later, Depeche Mode (as they had now become) headlined.
I'm sorry I can't confirm either way about a show on 14th June, but I have no recollection of there being a second show at St. Nicholas at all. Either way, I'm certain that the show on 31st May happened, so I think that that was the first ever Depeche Mode show, regardless of whether there was a show on 14th June or not. The poster may have been made for a show that was cancelled.
Hope that helps
Daryl
Gallery
- T-1980-05-30.jpg
Ticket photo
Excerpt from fanzine "Strange Stories"
Excerpt from fanzine "Strange Stories"
