Detailed Recap of Recent Impressive Live Show Experiences

The live show coverage continues in full force here at DaveCromwellWrites.  With the first half of this year favoring live performances over new recorded works, that pattern continues here once again. Returning to a venue last visited at the end of 2024, two favorite bands now appeared there for the first time.  Having experienced these artists spectacular live shows multiple times at other storied locales, the opportunity now presented itself once more in a unique and well-respected arena.

It was just over a year ago when a show at the House Of Blues in Orlando, FL dubbed “The Goth Prom” was attended. Performing that night (and seeing for the first time) were two of the best Tribute bands on tour. Both Lovesong-The Cure Tribute and Strangelove-The Depeche Mode Experience put on dazzling shows of exceptional interpretation at the highest level. In the 12 months plus that followed, more Lovesong shows would be attended at a number of nearby popular Orlando-area venues. Thrilled to see that *both* bands would be performing together again on June 19th at The Plaza Live made attendance there a must.

Opening the show was the band we've become quite familiar with over the last year.  Having caught multiple shows by them all over the Orlando area, Lovesong The Cure Tribute present a stunningly accurate re-creation of that English Goth bands entire catalog of music.

They kicked the night off with one of their most recognizable songs "Just Like Heaven," much to the packed crowds delight.

That was followed by the equally beloved "Inbetween Days" - the whole show was pretty much one Cure hit after another.

With the fan favorite "Pictures Of You" serving as further evidence.

Deeper tracks began to emerge, with the still wildly popular "The Walk"

The moody and mysterious "Fascination Street"

Quirky/cute pop of "Let's Go To Bed"

Trippy fever dream "A Forrest"

Heartfelt angst with "A Night Like This"

An anticipated show highlight was the visually stimulating fire-on-screen projections for "Burn."  Robert Smith and peak-era drummer Boris Williams wrote and recorded the track specifically for the 1994 film "The Crow."

Another expected moment was the band playing their namesake composition "Lovesong," which comes complete with romantic video screen images of Robert Smith and his wife Mary.

That was followed by the creepy-cool spider musings of "Lullaby"

Since it was a Friday night, it could have been more appropriate to hear them play "Friday I'm In Love"

They closed out their show with The Cure's first hit and probably most know song "Boys Don't Cry."

There are a number of opportunities to catch Lovesong live in the days ahead.

Find out more about this and everything else with the band via their Official Website  -   Linktree  -  Facebook  -    Instagram

A previous DCW feature on this artist can be found here.

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Getting a second opportunity to see and hear Strangelove-The Depeche Mode Experience on this their 40 years of Black Celebration 2026 World Tour was a thrill once again. With a few back-end personnel changes this time around, there was no loss of quality in both sound and overall performance. Front men Brent and Leo still carry the show, with rock solid drummer Chris (a more live upgrade over electronic beats) and new keyboardist/harmony vocals Kaleb all contribute to a show that the one and only OG Martin Gore says is “such fine detail that's it's scary.”

The show opened with "A Question Of Time," the third single and sixth track on Black Celebration.  The visuals of various clocks on the projection screen behind them set the tone for all that followed. 

That was followed by "World In My Eyes," an instantly recognizable and wildly popular DM single from their seventh studio album, 1990's Violator.

"Get The Balance Right" was next, delivering a perfect rendition of this 1983 single (and first with Alan Wilder as an official member).

The sometimes maligned "People Are People" from 1984 was delivered with precision.  A chart topper at the time, both Martin Gore and Dave Gahan thought the song was ultimately "too commercial" and stopped playing it live in their shows.

Less pop and more in line with darker themes saw the band perform 1985 single "Shake The Disease."   Brent leading the audience with his "understand me" vocal is a particularly sublime moment. 

Returning to Black Celebration, the moody lead single from that album "Stripped" was played.  Sometimes confused with sexual connotations, it's more about stripping away all of your trappings.

A brilliant version of "Halo" from 1990's Violator album.

Brent really puts all his heart and emotion into the tender relationship ballad "A Question Of Lust."

Going back to the early days, 1981's "Just Can't Get Enough" was DM's only 3rd single (and first release in the US), and one of the few to be written by soon-to-be-leaving the band Vince Clarke.

Another early gem, 1983's "Everything Counts" is still so relevant with it's satirical critique of corporate greed.

Since this day was actually Brent's (a/k/a "Counterfeit Martin") Birthday, the guys from Lovesong (and his own band) came out and presented him with a birthday cake, and an audience serenade to him.

The always popular "Policy of Truth" from 1990 album Violator was another show highlight.

As was the deep groove "It's No Good" from 1997's Ultra.

It's always a celebration (black or otherwise) when the tribute band plays their namesake song, as was the case here with "Strangelove."

"Behind The Wheel" is another deep dive into the bands catalogue, from their 1987 album Music for the Masses.

Moving ahead two decades, "Suffer Well" is from their 2005 eleventh studio album Playing the Angel. It was their first single written by Dave Gahan, and first single not written by Martin Gore since the above mentioned "Just Can't Get Enough."

Dipping back into the Ultra catalog, the fourth and final single from that album "Useless" is always a crowd pleaser.

As is the bands most successful worldwide hit "Enjoy The Silence."  The Violator track because their highest-charting US single, and has since amassed over a billion streams.

That is rivaled by the other huge Violator single "Personal Jesus."  The first release to enter the US Top 40 since 1984's "People Are People," it was also their first gold-certified single in the US.

Closing out the show was live show crowd pleaser "Never Let Me Down Again."   A fitting end to a satisfying 20 song concert, leaving everyone buzzed by the incredible audio and visual experience.

A hand signed setlist always a treasured keepsake.

Pre and Post Show chit chat were the order of the day, engaging with our favorite usher Natalie (we see her at Hard Rock Live all the time as well) and of course two of the Strangelove superstars.

Lovesong's Nick Bomleny is always great to catch-up with.

All the fun of the fair.

Recognition for the positive Florida turnout.

The tour rolls on throughout the summer.

Including a number of dates continuing "Love Is Strange" with Lovesong.

Follow the band at their Official Site and on Social Media - Facebook - Instagram - TwitterX

A previous DCW feature on this artist can be found here.

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