"I only started playing drums more seriously for the 'Devotional' tour but I'm really glad I did because it was very enjoyable. It was prompted by a desire to challenge myself on stage and to try to make the DM live show a bit more varied. I initially had the idea to learn to drum during the making of 'SOFAD' and mentioned it to Dave who was very enthusiastic." Accompanied by the best of everything - hotels, private planes, cars and a host of staff ready to procure anything at the drop of a hat - Depeche Mode were in their element and took every opportunity to soak up the ambience created by each new town they rolled into. The European leg concluded with a sell out show to 30,000 at London's Crystal Palace stadium in July and the tour paused for breath. Not Alan however, who found himself back in the saddle, this time at U2's Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin to produce the planned live album 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion Live' and prepare the sound for a video compilation of the 'Devotional' tour.