Depeche Mode

[eFestivals]

100 million record sales I think disproves the 'irreleveant' theory. More records sold than the majority of Pyramid headliners over the last 20 years.

But those sales have been mostly in the states. Their UK sales will be, I reckon, far smaller than many other UK bands from a similar time.

Garth Brooks has sold more records than DM, but that doesn't make him suitable as a Glasto headliner, because just like DM the vast majority of those records have been sold outside of the UK.

[The Nal]

But those sales have been mostly in the states. Their UK sales will be, I reckon, far smaller than many other UK bands from a similar time.

Edited January 25, 2011 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

All of their 12 albums have made top 10 in the UK.

but how many have they actually sold here?

(it's a rhetorical question - I've googled and can't find an answer).

There's 80s bands who've sold far more than them in the UK, who few would think of as suitable Glasto headliners. Duran Duran, or Spandau Ballet, anyone?

Their 2009 release didn't make the top selling 40 UK albums of that year, that much I have been able to discover.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_in_British_music#Summary_of_UK_chart_activity

[The Nal]

but how many have they actually sold here?

(it's a rhetorical question - I've googled and can't find an answer).

There's 80s bands who've sold far more than them in the UK, who few would think of as suitable Glasto headliners. Duran Duran, or Spandau Ballet, anyone?

[eFestivals]

It did, but only for a week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_of_the_Universe

Eh? That doesn't make sense. That album is not within the 40 biggest selling UK albums of 2009, and it's not possible for any release to be swithin that year's list for just a week.

[zahidf]

It's a tough one. Everyone has heard of depeche mode, and is promoted right ( i.e, a greatest hits set, rare live appearance) they could make perfectly acceptable main stage headliners. They did headline wireless a few years ago.

If Neil Young managed a headline set a couple of years ago with no issues, i'm sure depeche mode can.

I see a headline apperance at Bestival or Hop Farm more likely to be honest though, if they were to do a festival at any stage in the UK...

Edited January 25, 2011 by zahidf

[eFestivals]

They did headline wireless a few years ago.

yep, they did. But as I've already acknowledged, they have an obsessive fanbase in this country, and their rare shows here mean that those rare shows will sell a good number of tickets.

Even so, that show didn't sell out, despite it being the first in the UK for 5 years.

Everyone has heard of depeche mode, and is promoted right ( i.e, a greatest hits set, rare live appearance) they could make perfectly acceptable main stage headliners.

from one angle, I agree with that totally.

But I'm still not sure how well things would go, particularly if it was a camping festival with no day tickets. Those obsessive fans might be less keen on buying the tickets if it tied them into costs they're not interested in the other parts of.

If they played I'm sure they'd be decently received by 'casual' fans, but that's also the case for an awful lot of acts which few would be saying are really headliner status.

[MEGABOWL]

It's a tough one. Everyone has heard of depeche mode, and is promoted right ( i.e, a greatest hits set, rare live appearance) they could make perfectly acceptable main stage headliners. They did headline wireless a few years ago.

If Neil Young managed a headline set a couple of years ago with no issues, i'm sure depeche mode can.

I see a headline apperance at Bestival or Hop Farm more likely to be honest though, if they were to do a festival at any stage in the UK...

[cejx]

Funny band, Depeche Mode, having spent much of the last 16 years working abroad, they're much much bigger and regarded with more credibility in lots of other countries (particularly Eastern Europe and post Soviet Bloc) than they are in the UK. From my understanding, Depeche Mode are massive on a worldwide basis, but not that big a deal in Britain.

*awaits cejx*

[eFestivals]

They've sold over 100million records and had about 50 singles out in the UK... which again by my reckoning gives em enough clout to headline.

Hmmmm .... if they couldn't sell out the 50,000 tickets at Wireless 5 years ago (which was their first UK show in 5 years too, which should have created a big demand if they're a very popular band), then it gets difficult to see how they rate as a headliner for a much bigger festival 5 years later when (by that passing of time) they're a less relevant band to today's audiences than they were 5 years ago.

[cejx]

Hmmmm .... if they couldn't sell out the 50,000 tickets at Wireless 5 years ago (which was their first UK show in 5 years too, which should have created a big demand if they're a very popular band), then it gets difficult to see how they rate as a headliner for a much bigger festival 5 years later when (by that passing of time) they're a less relevant band to today's audiences than they were 5 years ago.

[Big Vern]

but how many have they actually sold here?

(it's a rhetorical question - I've googled and can't find an answer).

There's 80s bands who've sold far more than them in the UK, who few would think of as suitable Glasto headliners. Duran Duran, or Spandau Ballet, anyone?

Their 2009 release didn't make the top selling 40 UK albums of that year, that much I have been able to discover.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_in_British_music#Summary_of_UK_chart_activity

[eFestivals]

Surely it's an actual question then, not a rhetorical one if you don't know the answer and would like to know?

lol - pedant.

Yeah, I'd sort-of like to know (I'm not that interested tho really), I was simply trying to save others the bother of looking for something which probably can't be found.

[4AssedMonkey]

But I'm still not sure how well things would go, particularly if it was a camping festival with no day tickets. Those obsessive fans might be less keen on buying the tickets if it tied them into costs they're not interested in the other parts of.

[LusciousLucy]

I'm siding with Neil on this one. The argument for them actually ever headlining is dead in the water.

[pukkaone]

Considering two of their songs are currently being used in adverts (Strangelove and Just Can't Get Enough), and that they've been covered by such a diverse range of acts as The Saturdays, Marilyn Manson, Tori Amos, Johnny Cash etc...anyone who says they don't know any DM songs, probably doesn't actually listen to music (or watch tv!).

Edited January 26, 2011 by pukkaone

[MEGABOWL]

Adverts? Who are they playing the corporate shill for?

[cejx]

Adverts? Who are they playing the corporate shill for?

[The_Amazing_Oblong]

I'm siding with Neil on this one. The argument for them actually ever headlining is dead in the water.

[septemberwillow]

First post for quite a while but I just had to on this thread! Big DM fan, not obsessive, but I first saw them live at the Brighton Dome in, ahem, 1983

Just reiterating a lot of previous comments (and they have made interesting reading, coming from fans and non-fans). Agree with cejx and any others who said the same that I would LOVE to see them as Pyramid headliners but I just don't think it will happen. They are still a huge band (yes they are Neil but perhaps their star has faded a little in the UK) and have a cracking back catalogue that I think would surprise a lot of people who might go and see them out of a passing interest. Gahan has fantastic stage presence too - a proper frontman. I see no reason at all why they should not headline OS though but I think cejx is right by saying they will not do it when they are out of the touring 'zone' so it won't be this year. Weren't they a strong rumour for last year for quite a few weeks?

Never Let Me Down Again - possibly the best encore song EVER. I will never tire of seeing that performed live

[MEGABOWL]

Strangelove being covered by the Friendly Fires for Gucci (I think) and that god awful Saturdays version of Just Can't Get Enough (already a pretty rubbish DM song) I think for DFS!