EMI Music extends Depeche deal

14:58 | Tuesday October 7, 2008

The first release under Depeche Mode’s worldwide agreement with EMI Music is a new studio album due mid April. The band are currently in New York working on the album, which will be the follow-up to Depeche Mode’s 2005 release Playing the Angel, which topped the charts in 18 countries.

EMI Music's president - A&R Labels, North America, the UK and Ireland Nick Gatfield says, "We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Depeche Mode, and to be supporting them in the US for the first time. They are one of the world's most innovative and successful bands who continuously push boundaries and excite fans with their recording and live work."

Daniel Miller, Mute chairman, says "I am really happy to be continuing to work with the band. They have been reaching new creative heights in the studio and they have one of the most devoted fanbases of any band in the world today. I believe that the Mute and EMI teams are extremely well positioned to help Depeche Mode build on their success."

In addition, Depeche Mode has announced dates for the European leg of its Tour of the Universe 2009 — the group’s first-ever stadium tour in which they will perform in 28 cities across 21 countries.

The tour, which kicks off in Israel on May 10, is the band’s first since 2005’s Touring the Angel trek, which smashed European sales records with 1.8 million tickets sold across 87 shows.