In 2006, during the European leg of the Touring the Angel trek backing the album Playing the Angel—which marked Depeche Mode's return to electronic roots with industrial edges and sold over 3 million copies—the British ensemble headlined Rock am Ring, one of Europe's premier rock festivals at the Nürburgring. The 90-minute set on June 4, brimming with signature synth throbs and Dave Gahan's charisma, launched with the rhythmic punch of "A Pain That I'm Used To," flowing into staples like "Walking in My Shoes" and "Personal Jesus," plus the rare rendition of "Photographic" from their debut Speak & Spell as a fan delight. The performance, despite flak for its edited footage, earned praise for emotional fervor and rapport with the 70,000-strong crowd, underscoring its part in revitalizing the band's festival presence post-90s turmoil, though some critiqued the emphasis on fresh material over early anthems.