14 DAY TRIAL // On May 12, right before taking the stage in Athens, Depeche Mode frontman was taken ill in his dressing cabin and had to be rushed to the hospital. While receiving treatment for gastroenteritis, a malignant tumor was also discovered in his bladder, which has been since removed and the singer is recuperating well, an announcement on the official website reads.
Dave Gahan is responding well to treatment and doctors estimate he will be able to resume touring with the band on June 8, but under no circumstance earlier than that. All dates until then will be postponed indeterminately, while what will happen to the nine concerts that should have taken place until now is yet uncertain, the same announcement says.
“On May 12th, lead singer Dave Gahan suffered a severe bout of gastroenteritis, leading to his hospitalization and the cancellation of the Athens concert. While in hospital, further medical tests revealed a low-grade malignant tumor in Dave’s bladder, which has since been successfully removed. At doctors’ orders Dave Gahan must take a break until June 8th, to ensure that he makes a full recovery. The Leipzig show on June 8th will be the first concert following Dave’s recovery.” reads a post on the official website.
“Dave Gahan sincerely thanks his fans for their support, understanding and patience. Depeche Mode deeply regret any problems or inconveniences the cancellations and postponements may have caused.” it is further being said. Fans who have purchased tickets for any of the dates of Tour of the Universe that had to be postponed because of Gahan’s emergency hospitalization are still urged to hold on to them in the eventuality the shows will be rescheduled.
Aside from the nine concerts, other six dates will also be affected, bringing the number of postponed shows to 15. The July 2 date in Bergen, Koengen is the only one to have been rescheduled to January 28, 2010 at the Vestlandhallen. In the same press statement, fans are offered reassurances that efforts are being made to reschedule all shows, but whether that will eventually be possible still remains to be seen. For updates on this, keep an eye on this space.