MUSIC NEWS - Depeche Mode has renewed its long-term contract with Mute/EMI and is planning to release its 12th studio album in early spring 2009, and is currently recording in a New York studio. It has not been announced who will release the cd in the United States, past Depeche Mode albums were licensed by Mute to Warner Bros Records. (UPDATE 10/7- EMI will handle USA as well) At a press event today (October 6) in Berlin, the group also unveiled its 2009 Tour of the Universe. They plan twenty-eight stadium dates worldwide starting May 10, 2009 in Tel Aviv, Israel. As-yet-unannounced dates in North and South America will follow; with Live Nation promoting. Their 2006 tour, in support "Playing The Angel," was supposed to conclude in Tel Aviv but the show was canceled over safety concerns. The last show was produced by Ben Hillier (U2, Smashing Pumpkins), who is also producing their new album (still unnamed). DM leader, David Gahan said during the press conference that at least two songs he'd penned would appear on the set. Tickets for the 'Tour Of The Universe go on sale this Friday, October 10. See clip of press conference here.
Depeche Mode Tour of the Universe itinerary (all dates subject to change)
May 10: Tel Aviv, Israel (Ramat Gan Stadium)
May 12: Athens (Terra Vibe Park)
May 14: Istanbul (Santral Istanbul)
May 16: Bucharest, Romania (Parc Izvor)
May 18: Sofia, Bulgaria (Vasil Levski Stadium)
May 20: Belgrade, Serbia (USCE Park)
May 21: Zagreb, Croatia (Arena)
May 23: Warsaw (Gwardia Stadium)
May 25: Riga, Latvia (Skonto Stadium)
May 27: Vilnius, Lithuania (Zalgirio Stadionas)
May 30: London (02 Arena)
June 2: Hamburg (HSH Nordbank Arena)
June 4: Dusseldorf, Germany (LTU Arena)
June 7: Leipzig, Germany (Zentralstadion)
June 10: Berlin (Olympiastadion)
June 12: Frankfurt (Commerzbank Arena)
June 13: Munich (Olympiastadion)
June 16, 18: Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
June 20: Werchter, Belgium (TW Classic Festival)
June 22: Bratislava, Slovakia (Inter Stadium)
June 23: Budapest (Puskas Ferenc Stadium)
June 25: Prague (Slavia Stadium)
June 27: Paris (TBA)
June 30: Copenhagen (Parken Stadium)
July 2: Bergen, Norway (Koengen)
July 3: Arvika, Sweden (Arvika Festival)
July 11: Oporto, Portugal (Super Bock Super Rock Festival)
US DEPECHED MODE Tour Info (venues tbd)
July 24: Toronto
July 25: Montreal
July 28: Washington, DC
July 31: Boston
Aug. 1: Atlantic City, NJ
Aug. 3: NYC, NY
Aug. 10: Seattle
Aug. 12: San Francisco
Aug. 14: San Diego
Aug. 16-17: Los Angeles
Aug. 20: Santa Barbara, CA
Aug. 22: Las Vegas
Aug. 23: Phoenix
Aug. 25: Salt Lake City, UT
Aug. 27: Denver
Aug. 29: Dallas
Aug. 30: Houston
Sept. 1: Atlanta
Sept. 4: Tampa, FL
Sept. 5: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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