The House of Blues New Orleans was packed for the return of “Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience,” a Depeche Mode tribute band that emulated the sound and style of the original.

Opening acts included Electric Duke — a tribute to David Bowie — and The Siouxsies, a tribute to Siouxsie and the Banshees. Julian Shah-Tayler performs lead vocals for Electric Duke and as keyboardist “Oscar Wilder” in Strangelove. Adlibbing their appreciation for each other, the three tributes created a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the night. 

The tribute band has played at The House of Blues multiple times and the “All is One” mural art above the stage contributed to the sense of community in the room. 

“Celebrating 40 years of Black celebration,” Strangelove began their show with “A Question of Time” from Depeche Mode’s 1986 album, “Black Celebration,” along with “Stripped” and “Shake the Disease.” More obscure Depeche Mode songs also had a moment to shine, such as “Get the Balance Right” from the 1983 album “Construction Time Again.” Other highlights included “Personal Jesus” — from the 1990 album “Violator” — and the tribute band’s eponymous “Strangelove” from the 1987 album “Music of the Masses.”

Strangelove curates their song choices according to each city it visits. Appropriately so, Carnival was an important theme throughout the night. As The Siouxsies performed “She’s A Carnival” from Siouxsie and the Banshees’ 1982 album, “A Kiss in the Dreamhouse,” Mardi Gras colors lit up the stage. For “Stripped,” Strangelove provided risqué stage visuals that emphasize Carnival’s association with flesh. The satirical and sultry vibes continued with the performance of “Master and Servant.”

Strangelove successfully resembles Depeche Mode. Leo Luganskiy as “Ultra-Dave” brings all the swaggering presence of Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan. While Luganskiy’s voice is sometimes more high-pitched than Gahan’s baritone, his dance moves, appearance and showmanship are very Gahan-like. 

With more frenetic energy than Depeche Mode songwriter Martin Gore, Brent Meyer as “Counterfeit Martin” occasionally breaks the immersion. However, Meyer’s outro to “People Are People” brings out the melancholy of Gore’s original. Donning a new black leather outfit, dark sunglasses and keyboard as “Oscar Wilder,” Tayler pulls off the transition from David Bowie to Depeche Mode keyboardist Alan Wilder.

Near the end of the concert, Luganskiy announced that keyboardist James Evans — or “In the Fletch” — would retire from Strangelove after the weekend. The band dedicated the concert’s final song “Never Let Me Down Again” to Evans. 

Strangelove is on tour internationally through March 2026. If you’re thinking of going to one of their concerts, all I can say is that they didn’t let me down.