Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode's seventh studio album was a game changer for the band, not only in terms of how they went about recording it, but also how it would position them as a global band. The Essex boys from Basildon had been making music for a decade when they set about recording Violator, their pivotal album of 1990. Ever since their breakthrough album of 1981, Speak And Spell, Depeche Mode had, according to 1982 recruit Alan Wilder, been making their albums following a very similar sequence on each occasion. For Violator, and to mark the dawning of a new decade, Depeche Mode decided to do change things up. There was less preparation, fewer preconceived ideas and more spontaneity.

Linchpin of the band, Martin Gore said, "Over the last five years I think we'd perfected a formula. We decided that our first record of the '90s ought to be different." Different it was, and so too were the results of that difference. Violator gave rise to four huge singles, one of which, Enjoy Silence gave them a number one in many countries around the world including Denmark and Poland. The album enjoyed massive success topping out at number one in Greece, Spain, France and Belgium as well as reaching number two in the UK. Significantly Violator also reached number seven in the US on the main Billboard chart, their previous album, Music For The Masses, had only managed to peak at number 35 with a quite lowly year end position of 90th.

Continue reading: Album Of The Week: The 31st Anniversary Of Violator By Depeche Mode

Today marks 37 years since synth-pop legends Depeche Mode unveiled their debut album 'Speak and Spell' on Mute Records. Co-produced by Mute founder Daniel Miller, it reached number 10 in the UK charts in 1981 and is the only one to feature original member Vince Clarke.

Depeche Mode - Speak and Spell

The album title is in reference to the electronic toy of the same name popular in the late seventies to early eighties, and it's certainly appropriate for the upbeat, frivolous feel of the record created by Vince Clarke, who would later go on to form such projects as Yazoo and Erasure. 

Continue reading: Album Of The Week: Re-visit The Dawn Of Depeche Mode With 'Speak And Spell'

Nina Simone, Bon Jovi and Dire Straits lead the school of 2018 for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year – but major names such as Radiohead and Kate Bush have missed out.

On Wednesday (December 13th), the Cleveland-based institution announced its list of five inductees for its annual ceremony next spring. It consisted of rock heroes Dire Straits and Bon Jovi, new-wave group The Cars, Sixties icons The Moody Blues and the legendary late R&B singer Nina Simone.

On top of this, the little-known but highly influential figure of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, sometimes dubbed ‘the godmother of rock’n’roll’, is also to be inducted with a special Early Influences award.

Continue reading: Bon Jovi, Dire Straits And Nina Simone Will Be Inducted Into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame In 2018

Following recent statements by the alt-right poster-boy Richard Spencer, veteran electro-rock act Depeche Mode have swiftly moved to distance themselves from his remarks.

Spencer, a white nationalist and self-proclaimed leader of the so-called ‘alt-right’ movement laying waste to compassion and logic on online forums over the last few years, was asked by New York Magazine this week, as he was busy getting kicked out of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), whether he likes rock music.

“Depeche Mode is the official band of the alt-right,” Spencer was quoted as replying, by the publication’s reporter Olivia Nuzzi on Twitter.

Continue reading: Depeche Mode Denounce Richard Spencer, Who Described Them As "Official Band Of The Alt-Right"

Depeche Mode are set to launch their fourteenth studio album 'Spirit' this Spring, and they've now released the full tracklist along with the lead single 'Where's The Revolution' which will be available as an instant download for all who pre-order the new album.

Depeche Mode unveil new single 'Where's The Revolution'

The album features the band's first new music in four years and follows their 2013 release 'Delta Machine' which reached number two in the UK. It sees them working alongside producer James Ford from Simian Mobile Disco for the first time; a man who has in the past worked with the likes of Klaxons and the Arctic Monkeys.

Continue reading: Depeche Mode Launch 'Spirit' Tracklist And Lead Single 'Where's The Revolution'

Depeche Mode are back with their fourteenth studio album 'Spirit', which is currently underway and set for release sometime in the Spring of 2017. They are also planning to follow it up with a European tour, which will kick off in Sweden's capital in May. 

Depeche Mode are back with 'Spirit'

The 32-date European Global Spirit Tour will see them embark across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia... 21 European countries altogether. Plus, ticket and merchandise sales from the tour will go towards funding charity:water; a charity which aims to provide clean water for everybody on the planet, especially citizens of impoverished African nations like Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Continue reading: Depeche Mode Return With New Album 'Spirit' And Tour Dates For 2017

Arcade Fire are officially headliners at Glastonbury 2014! After much speculation and finger crossing, the Canadian alt-rockers have been confirmed as the first headline act for 2014's outing at Worth Farm in Somerset next June.

Arcade Fire will headline Glasto for the first time

The band confirmed their billing themselves, taking to Twitter to reveal a list of European dates due to take place in the same week at the end of June. As well as the stop off at Worthy Farm, AF will also be paying Rock In Roma and Villa Franca Di Verona a visit, as well as headlining a show at Marlay Park in Dublin. The band's own announcement was later followed up by a tweet from festival organiser Emily Eavis, with a statement from the festival's own Twitter page reading: "We're very pleased to announce that Arcade Fire will headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2014 on Friday 27th June."

Continue reading: Arcade Fire Confirmed As First Headlining Act For Glastonbury 2014

Bon Jovi made over $205m (£125m) collectively over the last twelve months of being on tour; an impressive amount by all means, ensuring they finish 2013 as the highest grossing touring group of the year. Since January, the band have performed 90 sets to over two million fans, according to Billboard's yearly rankings, with each show a sell-out, making them easy victors in this year's rankings.

Bon Jovi performed to millions of people across the globe and made millions back in return

The Michael Jackson-inspired 'Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour' by Cirque Du Soleil came in second and despite not scoring a single sell-out performance, they contortionists still managed to bring in $157m Third and fourth place was decided by a few (hundred) thousand, with Pink edging out Bruce Springsteen for the No. 3 spot. Her 114 shows in 2013, 111 of which sold out, earned the singer $147.9m as she performed to over 1.5 million people across the globe. Springsteen saw his 53 tours sell out in 36 locations, with over 1.3 million people paying a combined $147.6m to see The Boss.

Continue reading: Bon Jovi Record Highest Earning World Tour Of 2013

Austin City Limits Music Festival is set to hit Texas for its twelfth year, bringing with it two weekends of fabulous live music and family fun.

The festival organisers first decided to spread the fun out over two weekends last year, in a bid to welcome yet more people into this unique world, and it appears that they haven't gone back on their word as they are set to return to Zilker Park on October 4th - 6th and 11th - 13th. This year sees some impressive headline acts including Depeche Mode, The Cure, Muse and Kings Of Leon - and if that wasn't exciting enough, Atoms For Peace, Lionel Richie, Phoenix and Wilco are also high up on this year's bill! Some of the other acts scattered around are just as jaw-droppingly impressive, not to mention extremely diverse. We have Californian rockers Queens Of The Stone Age, country star Hank Williams Jr.'s daughter Holly Williams, Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar, LA sisters Haim, alt-folk group Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Nottingham singer Jake Bugg and legendary 'Gay Bar' hitmakers Electric Six.

Continue reading: Austin City Limits 2013 Set To Return With A Stunningly Diverse New Line-Up