Depeche Mode Cancel Istanbul Concert as Gahan Recovers

Depeche Mode have issued a statement announcing that it was a "severe bout of gastroenteritis" that sent lead singer Dave Gahan to the hospital yesterday. Gahan's illness forced the band to cancel their concert in Athens, Greece. Additionally, the illness will also prevent Depeche Mode from performing tomorrow night, May 14th, in Istanbul. As of right now, the band's May 16th gig in Bucharest is still on their schedule.

"Dave fell ill with a severe bout of gastroenteritis shortly before he was due onstage in Athens which resulted in his immediate hospitalization," the band said in a statement. "At this stage, Dave's primary concern is to return to full health and resume the tour as soon as possible." Fans in both cities are being asked to hold onto their tickets as the concerts will either be rescheduled or canceled.

Depeche Mode are currently on tour to promote their new album Sounds of the Universe. After shutting down Hollywood Blvd. with their performance for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show in April, the new wave band will return to North America in July for a series of dates. Depeche are also among the headliners for this year's Lollapalooza festival this August in Chicago.

Related Stories:

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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