Rock At The Ring

In October 2005, Depeche Mode released their 11th studio album Playing the Angel. Produced by Ben Hillier, the record peaked at No. 1 in 18 countries and featured the hit single ‘Precious’. This remains the first Depeche Mode album to feature lyrics written by David Gahan and, consequently, the first album since 1984's Some Great Reward featuring songs not written by Martin Gore. 

To promote the album, the band launched Touring the Angel, a concert tour of Europe and North America that began in November 2005 and ran for nine months. During the last two legs, Depeche Mode headlined a number of festivals including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the O2 Wireless Festival. In total, the band played to more than 2.8 million people across 31 countries and the tour was one of the highest grossing and critically acclaimed tours of 2005/2006.

Speaking about the tour, Gahan praised it as "probably the most enjoyable, rewarding live shows we've ever done. The new material was just waiting to be played live. It took on a life of its own. With the energy of the crowds, it just came to life.” Two shows at Milan's Fila Forum were filmed and edited into a concert film, released on DVD as Touring the Angel: Live in Milan. 

Among the finest shows of the entire tour were those Depeche played at the Rock am Ring ("Rock at the Ring") / Rock im Park ("Rock in the Park") festivals, played on 4th / 5th June 2006. Sharing nearly identical line-ups, the two annual festivals are usually regarded as one event. All artists perform one day at Nürburgring and another day in Nuremberg, during the three-day event. Alongside Guns ‘N’ Roses, Korn and Metallica, Depeche Mode headlined the 2006 event and, on both dates, performed quite spectacular sets, which remain favourite live events for many Depeche fans.