Depeche Mode long lost photos show 1981 Basildon Raquels gig

The long lost photos from our archives were taken by Echo photographers and show band members Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher and Dave Gahan playing a sell-out gig at Raquels in Basildon.

The group had only formed the previous year and as were on a nationwide tour covering 12 dates, when they came home to Basildon to perform in November of 1981. And what a welcome they received.

Hysteria - The Basildon gig was part of the band’s nationwide tour (Image: Newsquest)

Before they even arrived the 850 capacity nightclub, in Market Pavement, had sold out and had kept 100 tickets back to sell on the door.

Queues for these much in demand tickets snaked around the club for hours as fans stood in line, hopeful to get inside.

At the time the electronic band were riding high thanks to the success of their single I Just Can’t Enough.

Rehearsal - The band are pictured rehearsing for the Raquels gig (Image: Newsquest) Vocal talent - Dave Gahan on stage (Image: Newsquest)

The record was a smash hit worldwide and propelled the band to new heights. The lads – then aged 20 – were about to launch their first album, Speak and Spell, for which there had already been 80,000 advance sales.

Before hitting the stage the band helped set up equipment for the gig, despite there being plenty of technicians around.

Shrieks - The audience went mad as soon as the band appeared on stage (Image: Newsquest) Barriers - a security guard tries to hold back fans (Image: Newsquest)

Vince told an Echo reporter as far as he was concerned their newfound success meant they worked harder and that he smoked more cigarettes.

All the lads were incredibly modest and denied they were famous – though the crowds deemed otherwise.

Off the dole - Dave Gahan’s life had changed changed (Image: Newsquest)

Vince said he wasn’t interested in living the celebrity high life. When asked if he’d splashed out on a plush new wardrobe he said: “I bought myself a pair of new leather boots in Edinburgh. They cost £10.”

Lead signer Dave Gahan added that their success meant he could finally sign off the dole.

Tea break - Martin Gore popped to his mum’s house in Basildon for a cup of tea before the show (Image: Newsquest)

The band were travelling to their show dates around the country in three vehicles, packed with musicians, their instruments, crew and technical staff. Two of the band members’ fiances were also following the tour.

Shortly before the gig Martin Gore decided to pay his mum a visit at her home in Shepeshall, Basildon.

Calm before the storm - The band spent a few hours setting up at Raquels (Image: Newsquest)

Sharing a cup of tea with her now famous son, Martin’s mum Pamela said she was proud of her son and that she helped to launch his passion for music by buying him his first guitar when he was 12 or 13.

Later, at the band took to the stage at Raquels at 10pm, following the support act, Blancmange, the disco erupted in cheers and shrieks, particularly from young girls who showed their adoration for the band.

At one point revellers in the front attempted to storm the stage to get closer to the band and security workers had to put themselves in between the stage and the barriers to hold back the surge.