The Sisters Of Mercy / The Virginmarys - Barrowlands, Glasgow Thursday 23rd November 2023

To be honest, I was a tad apprehensive about tonight's gig. With Andrew Eldritch being hospitalised earlier on the tour and with bassist/guitarist Dylan Smith being replaced, it could have been so different. HOWEVER, Dylan's replacement is a fantastic musician, and personal friend to The Sisters other guitarist Ben Christo, so it was no real surprise when I heard that it was Kai from Esprit D'Air that filled the vacant slot for the rest of the tour.

Tonight's opener "Doctor Jeep/Destination Boulevard" instantly told us tonight was going to be a great show!

Next up was a new song from 2022, "Don't Drive On Ice", having only heard this on poor recordings on a social media platform, I was really surprised at how good this song was. Mr Eldritch, get in the £$%"!*£ studio!

Songs three, four & five were the songs that photographers were allowed into the "pit" which, personally, is better than the usual first three, the only downside to this tonight, the three songs were the shortest songs of tonight's set. We get to shoot during "Ribbons" "Alice" and another unreleased track, but now a fan favourite "Summer". Tonight was pretty strange as Andrew "Von" Eldritch was in a very friendly mood, not something usually seen when The Sisters are in Glasgow! He was even posing for us and even cracked a smile, I was so surprised, I missed that shot, sorry folks.

Heading back to the other side of the barrier, there was a mighty roar as "Dominion" kicks in, we get another surprise when Andrew actually speaks to the crowd! Next we get another unrecorded track "I Will Call You", again, another song that would be worthy on a new release. This was followed by another real oldie, "Marian". Next we had a track from "The Sisterhood" period, "Giving Ground", this was followed by another unrecorded song from 2022, "Eyes Of Caligula" leaving everyone tonight wanting more, which was fitting, as "More" was next on the setlist. It's fair to say at this point Andrew Eldritch, even back in their heyday, said himself, that he wasn't the greatest singer, and at a few points tonight it did show, I'm not being nasty with it, because this was one of the best performances I've ever seen by him. 

We are getting treated to many unrecorded songs, as the next one is "Genevieve", again this is another that sounds so much better than the fan recordings that are on social media platforms. Once again Andrew shows how much he is enjoying tonight's show, he is interacting with both his guitarists, going to each of them and wrapping his arms around them, at one point Kai doesn't see Andrew approach him and almost knocks him off his feet!

On with the show, next, "I Was Wrong" then another 2022 song "Here" and a 2020 lockdown song "When I'm On Fire" and the final "new" song of the set "On The Beach", tonight's main set is rounded off with my personal favourite, and Goth anthem, "Temple Of Love". The band then leaves the stage for a few moments, before returning with the two members of the support band, The Virginmarys, to perform another two anthemic "Sisters" songs that has this "Barras" crowd all singing along at the top of their voices first we get "Lucretia My Reflection" and finally, the equally epic "This Corrosion".

Tonight was the last night of the UK leg of the current tour, and it was a show that could end any tour, all four members took their bows, Andrew, Ben, Kai and The Doktors "nurse" Chris Catalyst, and left the stage to thunderous clapping and cheering!

Every person I have spoken with after the show were all in agreement, and all were surprised at how good this gig was!

Finally, as a side, Kai will be returning to Glasgow on 27th Feb 2024 at The Garage with his band Esprit D'Air and will be supported by Be Christos band, Diamond Black. See you there!