Ahead of the Spirit album release, infused with political allusions and industrial textures, British ensemble Depeche Mode—whose electronic innovations shaped the genre's arc from the 80s to alternative—hosted a promo gig at Berlin's Funkhaus Nalepastrasse on March 17, 2017, streamed worldwide in HD via Telekom partnership. The 21-song set, before 1,000 onsite attendees and global millions, began with debuts "Going Backwards" and "So Much Love," weaving classics like "World in My Eyes" and "Everything Counts" alongside Martin Gore's solos in "A Question of Lust" and a David Bowie "Heroes" cover, peaking with explosive "I Feel You" and "Personal Jesus" amid cheers. Devotees on Reddit and Slicing Up Eyeballs reviews termed it "epic" for reigniting tour vigor post Gahan's struggles, spotlighting its kickoff to the Global Spirit Tour, though some critiqued the arrangements' minimalism relative to prior outings.