Depeche Mode is one of the most influential electronic bands in music history, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. The pioneering synth-pop group from Basildon, England is embarking on a major world tour in 2023, which has sparked intense demand for Depeche Mode tickets.
In this article, we’ll analyze if Depeche Mode tickets are selling fast for their upcoming tour and examine factors like venue locations, ticket prices, pre-sales, and more. Whether you’re a die-hard Depeche Mode fan or just curious about ticket sales, read on to get the facts.
Depeche Mode 2023 Tour Overview
Depeche Mode announced their 2023 Memento Mori World Tour in October 2022, their first tour since 2018. The tour kicks off with a special intimate show in Sacramento, CA in March 2023.
The massive world tour will visit over 30 countries across North America, Europe, UK, and South America from March through August 2023. Some of the major cities and venues include:
| City | Venue |
|---|---|
| New York | Madison Square Garden |
| Toronto | Scotiabank Arena |
| Chicago | United Center |
| Los Angeles | Kia Forum |
| London | Twickenham Stadium |
| Paris | Stade de France |
| Berlin | Olympiastadion |
The tour features founding members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, along with longtime bandmates Andrew Fletcher and Christian Eigner. It will highlight hits from their 40+ year career as well as songs from their upcoming 15th studio album, due for release in Spring 2023.
Are Tickets Selling Fast?
In short – yes, Depeche Mode tickets are selling extremely fast across all tour dates and cities.
The band has a massive global fanbase eager to see their return to the stage. Most venues are large arenas and stadiums with 20,000+ capacity, meaning hundreds of thousands of tickets are up for grabs.
Within the first week of the public on-sale in October 2022, Ticketmaster reported sell-outs in major markets like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Chicago and London. Additional dates were quickly added in cities like NYC and LA to meet demand.
Secondary ticket sites like StubHub are seeing brisk sales for resale tickets, often at huge markups from face value. Floor tickets originally priced around $150-$300 are now going for $500-$1000+ per seat.
Even the intimate tour kickoff show in Sacramento at the Golden 1 Center sold out instantly, with tickets popping up on resale sites for $1000 or more. Depeche Mode’s broad appeal across generations and genres is driving intense interest across all tour stops.
Why Are Tickets In Such High Demand?
There are several key factors driving the sky-high demand for tickets on Depeche Mode’s 2023 tour:
Massive Fanbase
With over 100 million albums sold, Depeche Mode has one of the most dedicated global fanbases of any music act. Their fans span generations, drawn in over the band’s 40+ year career. These die-hard fans jump at any chance to see DM live.
First Tour Since 2018
Depeche Mode hasn’t toured since their 2018 Global Spirit Tour which grossed $202 million worldwide. Fans are eager to see them after a 5 year touring break, especially with co-founder Andy Fletcher’s passing in 2022.
Hits-Filled Setlist
With 14 studio albums and dozens of chart hits, Depeche Mode has no shortage of fan favorite songs to draw from. Hits like “Enjoy the Silence,” “Personal Jesus,” and “Just Can’t Get Enough” are sure to be live highlights.
Intimate Venues
While Depeche Mode is playing big stadiums on this tour, they are smaller than massive 100,000 capacity stadiums they’ve headlined before. The more intimate feel is driving demand.
Retirement Speculation
At 61, Dave Gahan has hinted this could be DM’s last major tour. Fans are anxious to see the synth-pop legends while they can, fueling sales.
Buzz Around New Album
There is already buzz growing around Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album coming in Spring 2023. Fans want to hear new music live.
Ticket Price Analysis
How much are Depeche Mode tickets costing for their 2023 tour? Ticket prices vary by city and venue, but here is a breakdown of average prices:
| Ticket Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Floor Seats | $300-$600 |
| Lower Level Seats | $150-$350 |
| Upper Level Seats | $70-$150 |
As expected, floor seats are the most in-demand and expensive ticket type. Getting close to the stage for a Depeche Mode concert is a dream for many hardcore fans. Supply for floor seats is very limited.
Lower level seats in the lower bowls of arenas and stadiums offer a good balance of price and proximity for many fans. These were initially $150-$300 range but are now reselling for $250-$500.
Upper deck or “nosebleed” seats are the most affordable option, starting around $70. But even these are seeing price hikes on secondary markets due to high demand.
VIP packages are also being offered with typical benefits like premier seating, pre-show receptions, merchandise and more. These are priced from $750-$2000 per package.
Overall, Depeche Mode tickets are selling for a premium over typical arena concert prices. Fans are clearly willing to pay higher amounts given the excitement around the tour and potential retirement speculation.
Are Pre-Sales Impacting Demand?
Many Depeche Mode shows offered pre-sales before the public on-sale date in October 2022. These pre-sales give early access to tickets, resulting in limited supply once the general public can purchase.
Pre-sales included:
- Depeche Mode fan club and newsletter pre-sales
- Venue and promoter pre-sales
- VIP package pre-sales
- American Express cardholder pre-sale
These pre-sales were promoted heavily, with true fans snapping up tickets weeks before the general public. By the time the wide on-sale started, some cities were already selling out.
This tactic of pre-sales helps ensure Depeche Mode’s biggest supporters can get tickets first. But it also feeds the frenzy and panic buying when remaining tickets go on sale.
If you missed out on pre-sales, all hope is not lost. More tour dates are rumored to be announced, and tickets will trickle back on sale via exchanges and returns. Signing up for fan club and venue emails can help unlock future pre-sale opportunities.
Are Scalpers and Bots Impacting Availability?
Another major factor in the Depeche Mode ticket frenzy is activity from ticket scalpers and bot operators. Scalpers use technology like ticket bots to buy up hundreds or thousands of tickets quickly online. They then relist the tickets on secondary sites at huge markups.
Within minutes of the public on-sale, many prime Depeche Mode tickets were appearing on sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats with jacked up prices. This signals bots were at work scooping up inventory.
Ticketmaster and other ticket platforms try to combat bots, but it remains a persistent struggle. The huge demand for Depeche Mode’s tour makes it an ideal target for scalpers.
Fans become understandably frustrated when scalpers gobble up tickets using bots before regular buyers can get them. But it’s an unfortunate reality, especially for major acts like Depeche Mode.
The best defense is buying during pre-sales, trying for tickets right at the on-sale time, and using anti-bot measures like Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan platform. You can also elect to wait on the secondary market closer to the event when prices (hopefully) drop. Just be prepared to pay more than face value.
Will More Tour Dates Be Added?
Given the intense demand, many fans are wondering if Depeche Mode will announce additional tour dates. This is quite possible, if not likely.
Expanding a tour is a common move when tickets sell out extremely quickly. For recent tours, popular acts like Bruce Springsteen and Bad Bunny added more cities and dates to help more fans get tickets.
No new Depeche Mode dates have been confirmed yet. But in cities like New York and Los Angeles where tickets flew off the shelves instantly, second or third shows seem like a strong possibility.
Depeche Mode also has touring history in markets like Mexico City, San Paulo, Singapore, and eastern European cities not currently on the schedule. Additional dates in these spots make sense.
Of course, time and logistics are required to add new concerts. But Depeche Mode’s team is likely strongly considering it based on the unprecedented demand. Superfans should keep tabs on their website and socials for any tour expansion announcements.
Should You Pay Resell Prices?
If you missed out on tickets through the initial on-sales, is it worth buying resale tickets? Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros of Buying Resell Tickets
- Guarantees you can attend the concert
- Lets you secure seats now vs. waiting on potential new dates
- Convenient and instant access to tickets from resale sites
Cons of Buying Resell Tickets
- Very expensive compared to face value
- Risk of buying counterfeit or invalid tickets
- May miss out if more affordable tickets are released later
Ultimately, it’s a personal choice and budget decision. Some fans are happy to pay higher prices to see their favorite band, especially on a special reunion-type tour.
Others prefer to play the long game, hold off buying now, and hope to score deals later. There are risks either way you go.
If you do buy resell tickets, use trusted platforms like StubHub and get all guarantees in writing. Fake ticket scams abound so buyer beware.
How To Get Depeche Mode Tickets
Here are some tips and strategies for fans still hoping to secure tickets to Depeche Mode’s 2023 tour:
Sign Up For Pre-Sales
Getting ahead of the masses via pre-sales gives you the best shot. Sign up at DepecheMode.com and join the fan club for access code emails. Follow your local concert venues on social media for promoter pre-sale alerts too.
Be Ready Right At On-Sale Time
When new tickets go on sale, be online and ready on Ticketmaster right at the start time. Have accounts created and payment info saved for fastest access. Refresh often and snap up anything you can.
Try Re-Sale Sites Closer To The Event
Watch StubHub and other secondary sites for price drops as the event date nears. Fans often lower prices when desperate to sell.
Get On Waitlists
Venues like Madison Square Garden have waitlists you can join for newly released seats. This taps you first as tickets become available.
Don’t Rule Out New Dates
Keep hopes up for newly announced concerts. Sign up for Depeche Mode’s emails to hear directly when and if new dates drop.
Persistence and patience is key. Scoring tickets likely won’t be quick or easy. But for devoted Depeche Mode fans, the time and effort is well worth it to see their idols live in concert.
Conclusion
Depeche Mode’s much-hyped 2023 world tour is undoubtedly one of the hottest tickets in music right now. Demand for tickets is off the charts, fueled by their loyal multi-generational fanbase, excitement around their return to touring, and rumors this could be their last major outing.
If you planned to buy Depeche Mode tickets, it was essential to act fast during pre-sales or right at the public on-sale. But all hope is not lost if you missed out initially. More tour dates may be announced given the swift sellouts, and tickets should trickle back on sale over time.
Fans buying resale tickets are facing lofty price tags, sometimes 4-5X the original face value. This is driven by intense demand that outstrips limited supply, exacerbated by scalpers using bots.
While costly, many Depeche Mode enthusiasts are willing to pay the premiums to catch what may be a once-in-a-lifetime tour from the iconic electronic band.
