TORONTO -- Depeche Mode performed to a near-capacity crowd spanning teens to fortysomethings at the Molson Amphitheatre Saturday night, the fourth date of their North American tour for their new album, "Exciter".

Unlike the elaborate stage set-up of past outings, the design this time around stuck to simpler yet effective props, notably a large white screen that projected images and videos behind the band.

All three core members -- frontman Dave Gahan and multi-instrumentalists Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher -- appeared to be in great shape, especially Gahan, whose struggle with drug abuse almost cost him his life in the '90s.

Decked out in a flashy outfit with white feathers on one shoulder, Gore, the man behind the lyrics, played guitar rather than keyboards on most songs, and did a fine job in his new role. He also sang on two songs, "The Bottom Line", which sounded almost like a country tune, and a new track from "Exciter" called "Breathe".

Meanwhile, Fletcher sported a tight black shirt, as he anchored himself behind his keyboard set for most of the night. The band did seem to miss Alan Wilder's keyboard mastery during "Black Celebration", but other than that, they pulled together seamlessly.

The core trio was ably augmented by keyboardist Peter Gordeno, drummer Christian Eigner, and backup singers Jordan Bailey and Georgia Lewis.

The band kept the fans on their feet for the almost two-hour, 21-song set that emphasized the past 10 years of Depeche Mode's career. In fact only the final two numbers of the evening, "Black Celebration" and "Never Let Me Down Again", pre-dated 1990.

They also performed more than half of the new "Exciter" album, from which "Freelove" and "Dream On" were the best received.

Though there were no dull stretches, a handful of moments rose above the rest: Gahan and Gore's duet on "Waiting For The Night"; the crowd singalong that accompanied virtually all of the pre-"Exciter" songs, especially "Personal Jesus", "Enjoy The Silence", and "It's No Good"; and, of course, the ritual hand-waving during "Never Let Me Down Again", which has been an integral part of the live performance of that song since its 1987 release.

In fact, it has become so deeply ingrained in the song's performance, Gahan actually had to ask the crowd to wait for him before they started waving their hands -- which is not the worst problem in the world to have.

JAM Rating 4/5