The 2013 calendar for Gexa Energy Pavilion has slowly but surely filled up over the last few months, bringing a nice array of big-name country, rock and pop acts to Dallas. You can now add to that roster Depeche Mode, who've nabbed the latest date at the venue so far this year, September 20.
Those of us of a certain age remember the electronic music group's heyday in the 1980s and early '90s, when they had hits like "People are People" and "Personal Jesus." But after churning out seven albums in 10 years from 1981-1990, the band started to take a more relaxed approach toward releasing music.
At least they've been predictable. For the last 20 years, Depeche Mode has released one new album every four years, including this year's Delta Machine, released on March 22 to critical acclaim, with one critic calling it "the best album of their career."
That slow pace may be attributed to uncertainty — or perhaps a little dysfunction. "We're pessimists. We're always unsure," songwriter Martin Gore recently told The Guardian. "We've been saying since Black Celebration [1986] that we can't guarantee there'll be another record. When it comes to communication we're still not the best. We're still slightly dysfunctional but maybe that's what makes us tick."
If you haven't bought the album yet, here's a little extra incentive: Anyone who buys the album on Amazon prior to April 1 will receive a presale code allowing them to buy tickets before the general public. General ticket sales start April 6.
The now-trio's stop in Dallas comes toward the tail end of their tour, one that stops in just 18 North American cities. Canadian electronic band Crystal Castles serves as opening act.
Depeche Mode stops by Gexa Energy Pavilion September 20 with Crystal Castles.
Crystal Charity Ball 2024 chairman Cheryl Joyner and Richard Joyner.
Photo by Ashley Gongora