Depeche Mode [ tickets ]'s "Tour of the Universe" jaunt has been plagued with problems from the get go. Lead singer Dave Gahan was diagnosed with bladder cancer early on--which resulted in the cancellation or postponement of several shows--and then suffered from throat issues that forced the postponement of US shows.

But Sunday (8/23) at Phoenix's US Airways Center, Depeche Mode was in superb form, and Gahan gave no signs that he was ill. He danced in circles with and slithered up and down his microphone stand. His vocals were top notch, sounding on par with studio releases.

The show kicked off with the musically sparse "In Chains," one of five choices from the band's latest album, "Sounds of the Universe." Guitarist/keyboardist/back-up singer Martin Gore resembled a human disco ball with his mirrored suit. Gahan donned black pants, a vest and a suit jacket. The third core member of Depeche Mode, Andy Fletcher, stood behind a keyboard, pointing at the audience in between his tickling of the ivories.

With the front of the stage illuminated for "Wrong," the first single from "Sounds of the Universe," Gahan tip-toe marched with his mic stand in hand. No matter what he did, he was welcomed with screams from female fans--especially when he stripped off his jacket during "Hole to Feed," seductively unbuttoned his vest to reveal his tattooed body, or rocked his hips to "Precious." During the choruses, he flailed his hands like a preacher.

During the vintage cut "Walking in My Shoes," desert landscapes adorned a giant video screen behind the band, which also included an extra keyboard player and drummer. When Gahan left fans to sing the chorus, he victoriously raised the microphone stand.

The energy intensified as the show went on, especially during "Question of Time," when Gahan began spinning with his instrument as the lighting rigs danced above him. Copping a preacher stance once again, he encouraged fans to quickly clap in staccato fashion.

Gore took the spotlight many times during the two-hour show. He eschewed the guitar for the keyboards during "Fly on the Windscreen" and stepped to the front of the stage to sing "Little Soul," "Home" and the encore performance of "Somebody." For "Home," Gore directed the touring keyboard member like a conductor, getting lost in his own world for a moment. Gore played "Miles Away/The Truth Is" with a star-shaped, mirrored ax, and, along with Gahan, headbanged to the swaggering guitar of "I Feel You." His riffs introducing "Never Let Me Down" punched the audience in its collective face, but, when the keyboards kicked in, they weren't as strong as Gore's guitar work, leaving the song a little lackluster.

For the encore, Depeche Mode rolled out four of its biggest hits: "Somebody," "Stripped," "Behind the Wheel" and "Personal Jesus." The show closed with "Waiting for the Night."

If there were any problems with the concert, it was that the performance was a tad impersonal. Gahan and Gore rarely used the catwalk that jutted out to the middle of the main floor, and Gahan kept his on-stage banter to a few words here and there.

Set list:

"In Chains"
"Wrong"
"Hole to Feed"
"Walking in My Shoes"
"It's No Good"
"Question of Time"
"Precious"
"Fly on the Windscreen"
"Little Soul"
"Home"
"Miles Away/The Truth Is"
"Policy of Truth"
"In Your Room"
"I Feel You"
"Enjoy the Silence"
"Never Let Me Down"

(encore)
"Somebody"
"Stripped"
"Behind the Wheel"

(second encore)
"Personal Jesus"
"Waiting for the Night"