MIK SABIERS savours the first headline solo show of the stalwart of Brighton’s indie-punk outfit Blood Red Shoes
Latest editorial
The Sisters of Mercy, The Roundhouse, London
Curmudgeon-in-chief Andrew Eldritch is as ever the charismatic focus of the goth-rock veterans
New releases reviewed by IAN SINCLAIR
STEVEN ANDREW is moved beyond words by a historical account of mining in Britain made from the words of the miners themselves
CAILEAN MCBRIDE welcomes a refreshing and timely study of the way officialdom creates structures that exclude LGBT+ rights and humanity
The bard mourns the loss of comrades and troubadours, and looks for consolation with Black Country Jess
CHRIS MOSS relishes the painting and the life story of a self-taught working-class artist from Warrington
MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a star-studded adaptation of Ibsen’s play that is devoid of believable humanity
MASSED crowds, primarily dressed in black, eagerly gather at the Roundhouse for goth-rock pioneers The Sisters of Mercy and the audience’s expectation is testament to the band’s reputation, anthemic back catalogue and the rarity of their live shows.
This is the first of just two headline gigs in Britain this year and a cheer erupts as the house lights dip, dry ice envelops the stage and the monotonous, repetitive beat of a drum machine booms starkly.
The bass kicks in, a gothy guitar trips over the top and out of the fog emerges lead singer, original surviving member and curmudgeon-in-chief Andrew Eldritch.
More from this author
MIK SABIERS savours the first headline solo show of the stalwart of Brighton’s indie-punk outfit Blood Red Shoes
MIK SABIERS leaves The Itch gig rejuvenated and energised
MIK SABIERS detects a serious message beneath the fun and frenzy of a classic 1980s Grebo scene band
