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By: Brendhan Lovegrove

Artist: The Sisters of Mercy

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2019

Venue: Powerstation

My Sunday night started with a date of sorts with an actress from a certain popular NZTV show. This delightful lady was on crutches with a broken leg so I immediately felt guilty, having chosen Galbraiths as a meeting point, which had fifteen stairs on the way up to and inside the bar.

On her arrival at 4pm I was told that she had to be gone by 6 as she had an appointment elsewhere, but 6pm came and I was informed that the appointment wasn’t set in stone and was an out in case she wasn’t enjoying the date

Now having relaxed with the good news I suggested a meal and a surprise - an extra ticket to English goth-rock legends the Sisters of Mercy.

She had no knowledge of the band and mine was at best limited, knowing only the song Marian, which I have always loved for its dark and brooding harmonies, sang beautifully with Andrew Eldritch’s famously baritone voice.

On arrival we were greeted with a mixture of old school Sisters of Mercy fans and just as many young goth music enthusiasts

It was a goth Big Day Out...blue hair, red hair...chains from nose to lips and all dressed in black....fabulous.

The stage was a wash of dark blue lights and heavy yellows and reds with thick smoke.....not unlike the stage set at early Echo and the Bunnymen concerts, or a scene from a Dracula film in a cemetery. This worked perfectly with the music as the lead singer would find the lights that were shining a specific colour for his face to create a horror film feel.

While not knowing the names to the songs it was easy to see why this band has been credited with having a major influence on so many bands.....great guitar riffs and heavy keyboards along with a driving bass and drums complimented Eldritch’s voice brilliantly. They are goth royalty and it was easy to see why.

My date said to me after the show, “I didn’t think the crowd went all that crazy for them.....and that they didn’t look happy.”

I said “They're goths.”

They were happy alright....we all were.

Once the concert ended we filed out. Some to bars, others home to their families with some rubbing off their makeup so mum and dad wouldn’t be upset with how they looked when they got home.

I said goodbye to my date and we exchanged numbers.

Success...a great night had by all.