When it comes to playing South America, some artists would benefit by having a mobile version of Google Maps. Depeche Mode was the latest to experience a “Spinal Tap” moment when lead singer Dave Gahan told a 30,000-strong Peruvian audience in Peru’s capital city of Lima, “Thank you very much, Chile!”
We didn’t know the Associated Press tracks such things, but the news organization reports Gahan was the third artist in recent years to misidentify Peru.
In 2004, RBD’s Mayte yelled out “Long live Chile!” during a Lima concert. She quickly realized her gaffe and apologized.
The Chile shoutouts are especially embarrassing when you consider Peru and Chile aren’t exactly the best of friends and have been bickering over disputes since a 1879-84 war between the two South American countries.
But not all artists confuse Peru with Chile. Alanis Morissette had her own Tap moment in 2003 when she told an audience in Peru, “Thank you, Brazil.”
Oh, well. Better luck next time.