What it was like at FORCE TO MODE + interview

Almost every famous band inspires a multitude of cover bands whose quality ranges from passable to outstanding. But among them all, one stands out in particular: Forced to Mode. They are considered one of the best, if not the best, Depeche Mode tribute bands in the world. With extraordinary precision, unwavering passion and an impressive authenticity, the Berlin boys, consisting of Christian Schottstädt (vocals), Matthias Kahra (guitar) and Thomas Schernikau (keyboards), have earned a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of Germany. For over 12 years, they have been winning over fans all over Europe with their extraordinary authenticity, their detailed sound, but always with great respect for the original.

Forced to Mode impress with a repertoire that now comprises over 130 songs – including not only well-known classics, but also rare B-sides and even tracks that Depeche Mode themselves have never played live. Their concert programs are thematically diverse and range from special tributes to iconic tours and albums to acoustic performances. This enormous range, plus Christian Schottstädt’s great vocal similarity to Dave Gahan, make each of their concerts a unique experience that not only inspires enthusiasm among die-hard Depeche Mode fans.

Hamburg’s Markthalle was the venue for two consecutive evenings of concerts, each with a different thematic focus. – We were there and were later able to interview Christian Schottstädt about his experiences in Hamburg.

The first evening in the Markthalle, which has been sold out for a long time – incidentally, this is where Depeche Mode had their first performance in front of a German audience on September 25, 1981 – was dedicated to a special and therefore fitting concept for Hamburg: Depeche Mode’s “The World We Live and Live in Hamburg” tour performance from December 9, 1984 in the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, which was filmed and released as a video at the time.

But it was more than just a special evening – it was a tribute to a musical era that is unparalleled in its intensity and authenticity. Forced to Mode presented the original 20-song setlist from the legendary Hamburgshow and enriched it with an exclusive addition: “It Doesn’t Matter” from the album “Some Great Reward”, inserted between “Shame” and “Somebody”. The song fit in just as if it had always belonged there. And with their rousing performance, the band transformed Hamburg’s Markthalle into a time machine that transported the audience straight back to 1984. The precise performance of the songs repeatedly triggered a wave of enthusiasm and impressively demonstrated how Forced to Mode succeeds in capturing the essence of Depeche Mode to create unforgettable moments. The two encores, “Enjoy the Silence” and “Never Let Me Down Again“, crowned the concert evening, brilliantly rounding off an almost perfect show and releasing their audience from the past into the fast-moving present with a sigh.

On the second evening, the complete set of Depeche Mode‘s legendary “101” show, which was recorded at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 1988 and released as an album a year later, was on the program in the almost sold-out Markthalle. This included the three songs “Sacred”, “Nothing” and “A Question of Lust”, which did not make it onto the album at the time. Then as now, the “101” show offered a “best-of” of Depeche Mode classics from the eighties and was followed by hit after hit such as “People Are People”, “Master and Servant”, “Shake the Disease”, “Everything Counts” and “Just Can’t Get Enough”. The Hamburg audience, always singing along to the lyrics on this second evening, was dancing in euphoric ecstasy. The three encores “Personal Jesus”, “Photographic” and “Enjoy the Silence” didn’t exactly cool things down, rather the opposite, and also made this evening, this second trip back to the eighties with the time machine, unforgettable for everyone involved.

For Depeche Mode enthusiasts, both Forced to Mode concert evenings were far more than a tribute – it was an emotional and musical journey that brought the spirit of the original band to life.

Setlist
14. September 2024
“Something to Do” – “Two Minute Warning” – “Puppets” – “If You Want” – “People Are People” – “Leave in Silence” – “New Life” – “Shame” – “It Doesn’t Matter” – “Somebody” – “Ice Machine” – “Lie to Me” – “Blasphemous Rumours” – “Told You So” – “Master and Servant” – “Photographic” – “Everything Counts” — “Any Second Now (Voices)” – “See You” – “Shout” – “Just Can’t Get Enough” — “Enjoy the Silence” – “Never Let Me Down Again”

September 15, 2024
“Pimpf” – “Behind the Wheel” – “Strangelove” – “Sacred” – “Something to Do” – “Blasphemous Rumours” – “Stripped” – “Somebody” – “The Things You Said” – “Black Celebration” – “Shake the Disease” – “Nothing” – “Pleasure, Little Treasure” – “People Are People” – “A Question of Time” – “Never Let Me Down Again” — “A Question of Lust” – “Master and Servant” – “Just Can’t Get Enough” – “Everything Counts” — “Personal Jesus” – “Photographic” – “Enjoy the Silence”

Interview with Forced to Mode

“… a very unique, stunning charm.” (Christian Schottstädt)

Orkus: How do ideas for unusual “concert specials” such as the tribute evenings to “Live in Hamburg” and “101” come about? What inspires you to put together such special programs?

Christian Schottstädt: We always get itchy fingers when certain anniversaries are coming up or we are at certain legendary venues. We established the “101 shows” in 2018, for example, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the concert. Now for the 40th anniversary of the 1984 “The World We Live in and Live in Hamburg” shows, it was clear that we absolutely had to play that in Hamburg. (smiles)

O: What made you decide to include two additional “Martin Gore tracks” (“It Doesn’t Matter” and “Any Second Now”) in the main set on the first evening under the motto “40 Years The World We Live in And Live in Hamburg”, which were not originally part of the original setlist? Was there a particular inspiration or reason for this decision?

CS: We have noticed that the fans really like to hear more than 1 or 2 “Martin Gore songs” from Thomas during our shows. We now often even play 5 such titles at the “normal” F2M concerts. And since the two 1984 Hamburg shows are quite short by F2M standards with 19 or even only 17 songs, we decided without further ado to include these two songs sung by Thomas in the set.

O: Why did you play songs like “Enjoy the Silence” or “Personal Jesus” as a second encore on both evenings, even though at first glance they don’t seem to fit into the thematic concept of the respective concert programs? Did you want to set a special accent with them or deliberately round off the shows with well-known hits?

CS: We’ve simply found that the energy is kept at its highest when you play two or three hits that everyone really knows in the second encore block (which the audience doesn’t necessarily have to demand) after such special sets. You have to broaden your perspective a little. There are not only “hardcore DM fans” who classify such special DM concert specials (1984 & 1988) in the same way as someone who only enjoys DM or F2M from time to time or during the shows. So we found a nice ending for everyone on both evenings. And the crowd celebrated accordingly.

O: Is there a special connection between you and Hamburg? What makes the city and its fans unique for you that you regularly play such special shows here?

CS: This year alone, we played three times in the sold-out (or almost sold-out on Sunday) Markthalle. Hamburg has thus become one of the most important F2M hotspots. The city itself also touches us a lot. It has its very own, stunning charm. That’s why we love coming back again and again!

Text & Photos: Thomas Friedel Fuhrmann