Depeche Mode Cancels Athens Show Days ahead of Sofia Gig

The sudden illness of the UK new wave band’s Depeche Mode lead singer, David Gahan, puts a question mark on their Sofia gig scheduled for May 18. Photo by SME

The much anticipated Tuesday concert of the UK band Depeche Mode in Athens was canceled after lead singer David Gahan had to be taken to the hospital.

Gahah fell ill in his dressing room a short time before he was scheduled to perform on stage, disappointing anywhere between 20 000 and 30 000 fans, who gathered to see the new wave band perform at Terra Vibe Park in the Greek capital.

BBC reports, citing a Depeche Mode spokesman that the illness was likely to be short-lived and he hoped the band would play on Wednesday. According to the same source, Gahan had a bout of gastroenteritis.

The organizers apologized to the audience.

A spokesman told the crowd: "Dave is not well, we have had a doctor in to see him backstage and unfortunately the advice from the doctor is that Dave cannot perform.

Depeche Mode are scheduled to perform in Bulgaria's capital Sofia on May 18. The Bulgarian concert organizers "Sofia Music Enterprise" told Darik radio that they were still expecting details about Gahan's condition and cannot yet say if the Sofia gig will have to be canceled.

Three years ago, Depeche Mode performed at the "Locomotive" stadium in Sofia before a crowd of 40 000.

Depeche Mode have sold an estimated 75 million albums worldwide since forming in Basildon, Essex, in 1980.

 

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