Depeche Mode frontman, Dave Gahan, recently expressed his fears over the band’s hectic touring schedule during an appearance on Absolute Radio. Gahan admitted feeling terrified when he was shown the full schedule for the band’s ongoing world tour, with over 40 shows announced for September, October, and November alone.
The band began their 2023 world tour on March 23 in Sacramento, California, delivering a 23-track performance at the Golden 1 Center arena. The synth-pop duo opened the concert with ‘My Cosmos Is Mine’ from their new album ‘Memento Mori.’ The band is currently touring the U.S. with a limited series of North American dates before heading back to Europe for a summer stadium tour. This marks Depeche Mode’s first tour as a duo, following the untimely death of founding member Andy Fletcher in May 2022.
Gahan’s fear and anxiety about the tour come from the overwhelming schedule that lies ahead of them. He mentioned that he avoids looking at the complete list of shows and prefers to take it one step at a time. The realization that the two blank dates in their itinerary could mean either a day of travel or a much-needed day off also contributes to his trepidation.
Despite his fears, the singer remains committed to delivering electrifying performances to their fans across the globe. Depeche Mode’s dedication to their music and their audience is evident in their decision to continue touring even after the loss of Fletcher. Their resilience and determination to keep his memory alive through their performances is a testament to the band’s strong bond and love for their craft.
Dave Gahan’s words on their busy schedule:
“I think we’re doing a short little North American tour that kicks off the record, first shows coming up. Then in September, October, and November, I think they just announced another sort of 40 shows.”
When asked if he felt scared about all that list of stuff, the frontman replied:
“I’m terrified. I don’t like opening the whole sheets up. I say, ‘What’s that one underneath there?’ They show me the first sheet, and I’m like, ‘What’s that [underneath]?’ ‘No, no, you don’t want to look at it; you don’t need to look at that right now.’ When we see the two blank dates, that’s important because one of those blank dates is flying somewhere, and the next that blank date hopefully is a day off.”
As the band ventures on this emotional and physically demanding world tour, it is clear that Depeche Mode is determined to make every show a memorable experience for their fans. Dave Gahan’s candid admission of his fears surrounding the tour adds a relatable and human touch to their extraordinary journey. As they continue to perform across the world, the duo’s passion and dedication will undoubtedly ensure that Depeche Mode’s legacy continues to thrive.
