Early reaction to Memento Mori has been unanimously positive, with The New York Times citing the band’s “exquisite darkness,” Rolling Stone praising the album’s “characteristic musical beauty and lyrical depth,” and the Associated Press raving "The music is staring lovingly into the abyss and asking it to love it back… Depeche Mode might be facing their own mortality but their power as musicians stretches into infinity." In the UK, the Guardian hailed the return of “the biggest cult band in the world” and lauded the album’s "perfect blend of ominous mood, electronic textures that range from intense to ethereal,” while the NME and Uncut labeled Memento Mori “majestic” and “their most powerful work this century, respectively.
Produced by James Ford, with additional production work by Marta Salogni, Memento Mori’s gestation took place during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, resulting in themes inspired directly by that period. The album’s 12 tracks chart a vast expanse of moods and textures, from its ominous opening to its closing resolve—running the gamut from paranoia and obsession to catharsis and joy, and hitting myriad points between.
Depeche Mode kicked off its Memento Mori World Tour last night with a sold-out show at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. Due to popular demand, the tour recently added dozens of new dates, including a new Fall leg of North American shows. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees' 19th outing and first in more than five years, the Live Nation-presented tour has gotten underway with a limited North American run featuring stops at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Chicago’s United Center, and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The band will then embark on a European stadium tour on May 16, with noted stops including the Stade de France in Paris, two shows at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, Milan’s San Siro Stadium, and London’s Twickenham Stadium.
Following the end of the European summer run, the recently added leg of the tour brings the band back to North America in the fall, stopping in Mexico City for three nights at Foro Sol before returning to the US and Canada. Newly announced tour stops include Austin’s Moody Center, Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, additional New York City shows at Madison Square Garden and Barclay’s Center, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and more, concluding with a multi-night run in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum and Crypto.com Arena.
Reception to the Memento Mori tour has been overwhelming with shows quickly selling out across Europe and North America, and over two million tickets already sold. The 81 date tour is on track to be one of Depeche Mode’s largest to date and is also well on its way to being one of the largest worldwide tours of 2023.
Having sold more than 100 million records and played to more than 35 million fans worldwide, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to forge ahead, with the Memento Mori album and tour representing the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy.
Memento Mori World Tour 2023
May 20 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Antwerpen (link)