1986: DEPECHE MODE in Europe | Whistle Test | Classic BBC Music Profile | BBC Archive

"We have got a funny reputation in England, I think - there's a lot of people that might still be embarrassed to go and buy a Depeche Mode record." - Alan Wilder.

Ro Newton spends some time with the boys from Depeche Mode during the French leg of their Black Celebration tour. On the tour bus, she chats to Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher - Depeche Mode sell fewer singles in the UK than they do in Europe and the US, and are arguably less respected at home than abroad - what's behind this? Do they have an image problem?

Later, Ro further explores this idea with Dave Gahan and Alan Wilder - is Depeche Mode being held back by a certain snobbery regarding their past? Is there still a guitar band bias in the collective consciousness of British music fans?


Clip taken from Whistle Test, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 27 May, 1986.





You have now entered the BBC Archive, a time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults.

Make sure you subscribe so that you never miss a single stop on our amazing journey through the BBC Archive - https://www.youtube.com/c/BBCArchive?...

You can also dive into plenty more BBC Archive on our website - https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive