1980-10-30 Bridge House, London, England, UK

Notes

This is the earliest genuine recording of Depeche Mode that is currently circulating, and it is also the earliest of two recordings currently circulating and available to download from the 1980 Tour. The other recording is 1980-11-14 Technical College, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, England, UK.

The band plays the Bridge House no less than 11 times between 1980 and 1982, with 7 of them being in 1980. Terry Murphy, the owner of the Bridge House, gave Depeche Mode the opportunity to play often at the Bridge House. This concert was:

• the 17th concert of Depeche Mode / Composition Of Sound
• the 13th concert with Dave Gahan in the band
• the 5th concert under the name "Depeche Mode"
• the 4th concert at the Bridge House

Included in the setlist are two tracks which were only performed during Depeche Mode's 1980 tour: Tomorrow's Dance and Reason Man. It is assumed Vince wrote these tracks, but that has not been confirmed. I asked Deb Danahay Mann, Vince Clarke's former girlfriend, if she knew any details regarding these songs, but she is unfamiliar with them. You can find lyrics for Tomorrow's Dance and Reason Man if you click on their song titles.

The track Television Set, written by Jason Knott (a friend of Vince's), was also part of the setlist as it often was between 1980 through the end of the 1982 See You Tour. Lyrics and a short snippet of Vince's original demo are available here. Deb Danahay Mann confirmed that the track does not appear on "Speak & Spell" or a single release because it was not penned by Vince or Martin. I think it is a great song and wish it made an appearance as a B-side, at the very least. The Price Of Love also appeared throughout the 1980 and 1981 tours. The track was written by The Everly Brothers. Click on the song title to learn more information.

Dave introduces the final song of the setlist, Dreaming Of Me, as "Dreams Of Me", as early setlist photos also called it. This song went on to become Depeche Mode's first single, released on February 20, 1981.

Zeitgeist was the support act.

Depeche Mode's final performance at the Bridge House will be a secret gig under the alias of "Modepeche" during their See You Tour tour on February 27, 1982. More details along with a stream & download of a good audience recording from that night can be found here.

Set list

1. New Life
2. Television Set
3. Tomorrow's Dance
4. Reason Man
5. Photographic
6. Tora! Tora! Tora!
7. Big Muff
8. Ice Machine
9. The Price Of Love
10. Dreaming Of Me

Sources

• Source 1 is the most complete version available sourced from a mono recording and a rip of the common "Bridgehouse" vinyl bootleg.