1981-10-23 Something Else, BBC2, London, England, UK
Notes
A recording of this television performance which is often attributed to being from 1981-11-06 University, Liverpool, England, UK was actually recorded on this date. The confusion arises due to the fact that it was originally broadcast on November 6, 1981.[1] Further backstory and information is provided thanks to the Facebook group Depeche Mode Classic Photos And Videos:
1981-10-23 - TV Recording, 'Something Else' . October 23rd 1981 .
Broadcast date: 6th November 1981
The video footage usually credited as live at Liverpool University on 6th November 1981, is actually footage shot for the TV show 'Something Else'. The mistake has come about because this is the date the show was broadcast.
I started investigating this after spotting Deb Danahay and Jo Gahan in the audience. When I pointed it out to her, she said it wasn't her, and what's more, she wasn't at the Liverpool gig. I was confused, but hey, she should know, right?
Some time later, Deb had another look at the footage, and realised that it was in fact her in the audience, with Jo and Anne Swindell. Confused, she checked her diary, and she definitely was not in Liverpool on 6th November.
Remembering the 'Something Else' footage, I decided to look into this further. With the help of Deb's archive, these pictures came to light, detailing the schedule for the 'Something Else' show. It was recorded on 23rd October, edited on 24th October, and broadcast on 6th November. Another check in the diary revealed that Deb was indeed at the recording!
Some YouTube clips, correctly identify the performance from the TV show, but it has been missed that these are one and the same. The supposed 'Liverpool' footage is a timecoded, unedited copy, that even has two performances of Tora! Tora! Tora! and Nodisco, further proof that this was not a gig. If you compare the footage, you'll see that it is fact the same performance. You will also see it credited as 'Something Else' on the 'Speak & Spell' remaster DVD.
Source (you must be in the Depeche Mode Classic Photos And Videos Facebook group in order to view)
The different takes of Tora! Tora! Tora! and Nodisco were carefully compared, and it was determined that different keyboard mistakes are made during Nodisco, signifying that they are two unique takes, but Tora! Tora! Tora! is the same take with a different camera angle.
Set list
- Television Set
- Photographic
- New Life
- Puppets
- Just Can't Get Enough
- Tora! Tora! Tora!
- Nodisco
- Nodisco
Sources
- Source 1 is a good soundboard recording transferred by the webmaster from an unknown generation VHS.
- Source 2 is an okay quality DVD made from a pre-broadcast unknown generation VHS.
