About two dozen Depeche Mode fans were treated to an unforgettable experience Monday when the band’s label bused them to a New York studio to watch — from just feet away — as the group played a 40-minute set in preparation for the upcoming Global Spirit Tour.
Sean Salo, one of those lucky few to be invited, chronicled the promotional event for Depeche Mode fansite Home, concluding that it was “by far one of the most unique and thrilling experiences I’ve ever had as a fan of any musician, let alone the stadium-filling Depeche Mode.”
The attendees were randomly selected fans who’d registered for DM’s tour pre-sale, according to Salo, and were told only to report to Sony Music’s New York offices. There, they were asked to sign waivers allowing themselves to be filmed, and were then bused to a rehearsal studio in Hell’s Kitchen.
Salo writes:
“At around 4 p.m., we were escorted into the studio where the band was mid-song, tearing into one of the tracks from Spirit, a rocker with a very modern vibe to it — this one seems like it’ll be a crowd-pleaser in their live sets. The look of awe on the lucky winners’ faces, yours truly included, was priceless. We were in a medium-sized studio, standing just feet away from Depeche Mode as they played for only a handful of fans who, a couple hours earlier, had no idea what they were being invited to.”
The fans were able to watch Depeche Mode play seven songs, including two from the upcoming Spirit (due out March 17), plus singles from Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion, Ultra and Playing the Angel, as well as a never-before-performed Sounds of the Universe album track.
