Photos + Review: The Sisters Of Mercy @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre (San Diego, CA)

The Sisters Of Mercy (Leeds, UK)
October 5th, 2024
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in San Diego, CA

In a world overrun by hashtags and fleeting overnight celebrities the word “iconic” is tossed around so freely it almost becomes synonymous with the bland normality. Nothing seems more iconic than a show filled with songs that contained so much substance that they were able to withstand the test of time and enthrall fans decades after their original release. More than 30 years have passed since The Sisters Of Mercy formed and released their music and yet they delivered a show that provided both the comfort of beloved familiar songs while somehow managing to offer an effervescent energy that felt new.

Original members Andrew Eldritch and Doctor Avalanche, the drum machine brought the original heart and soul of The Sisters of Mercy. While guitarists Ben Christo and Kai respectfully added layers upon layers of pure raw energy that spilled over from the stage to the audience. The set designs while somewhat minimal were able to completely alter the feel of the stage with a simple change of color to the lights. They transformed the scene from a post apocalyptic battle ground to a fiery volcanic Pompeian scene to an almost mystical ethereal landscape that never distracted from the band but offered a sort of magnifying element to each song.

Emerging from a fog-filled dark set they opened their set in full crowd pleasing force with “Doctor Jeep/Detonation Boulevard.” The powerhouse guitar riffs of the song perfectly danced with Eldritch’s deep growls that seemed to perfectly echo through the cold air. There is something truly magical in hearing all the classic tunes as when they are performed live they develop new depth. “More” for example is still one of my favorite songs, “Lucretia My Reflection” is purposely added three different times in my ‘Survive The Work Day’ playlist because well I could and need to hear it many many times throughout my day. That said I have to admit that personally, I found that the true highlights of the evening were provided by the rare gems fans only get to experience live as their newer songs are unreleased.

“Don’t Drive On Ice” was the second song of the setlist and it stood as a testament to the amazing growth of this band. Every fan seemed to know it word for word and it burst with the same raw grittiness that one has come to expect from their music. “Quantum Baby” performed for the first time a few days before in Arizona felt like a true present and yes it still leaves me hopeful for a possible future release. Who knows, if I keep asking maybe I will get a birthday present next year…any date would do. “Eyes Of Caligula” is another gorgeous unreleased gem such as “When I’m On Fire” which literally forces you to dance uncontrollably, it has this captivating rhythm that just moves you.

The entire set was pretty perfect: they opened on a high note and closed on a higher one with “Temple Of Love“ still an obvious crowd favorite although personally it was a difficult song for me. It is hard to fully get lost in the song without the amazing backing vocals of Ofra Haza. I wish they had used her recorded vocals because not many people can pull off that unique balance of fragility and strengt. When I saw them last in Los Angeles at the Palladium., Teri Nunn performed the song with them setting the standards pretty high for any future performance of that song. While this song left a somewhat melancholy feeling in my stomach they completely redeemed themselves with the two encores of “Lucretia My Reflection“ and “This Corrosion” closing out the night in full power with fans almost out singing the band.

Next Tour Dates in 2024 are:
Sat, Oct 12 Portland OR Crystal Ballroom
Tue, Oct 15 Vancouver BC The Orpheum
Wed, Oct 16 Seattle WA Paramount Theatre
Fri, Oct 18 Salt Lake City UT Union Events Center
Sat, Oct 19 Denver CO Mission Ballroom
Tue, Oct 22 Minneapolis MN The Fillmore
Wed, Oct 23 Chicago IL Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Fri, Oct 25 Cleveland OH Temple Live
Sat, Oct 26 Toronto ON HISTORY

The Sisters Of Mercy Set List:
Doctor Jeep / Detonation Boulevard
Don’t Drive on Ice
Ribbons
Alice
Summer
Dominion / Mother Russia
I Will Call You
We Are the Same, Susanne
Quantum Baby
Eyes of Caligula
More
But Genevieve
I Was Wrong
Here
When I’m on Fire
On the Beach
Temple of Love
Encore:
Lucretia My Reflection
This Corrosion

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