2001/02/17, University, Leeds, UK

Written by Dave (judgesolksjaer@netscapeonline.co.uk) for The Sisters of Mercy Tours webzine

Happy Anniversary Sisters. Or should that be Eldritch and Dr Avalanche. Perhaps the biggest surprise of this tour is that the good Doktor hasn't assumed responsibility for the guitars yet. Much of that has probably to do with the fact that Pearson and Sheehan are the best axemen The Sisters have had, certainly in the last ten years. They prove it tonight, sounding and looking like the appropriately mentalist guitar heroes the Sisters deserve. Image is so important in such matters, and these two certainly look the part. Remember Mr James and his low-hung bass? You ought to. The only reason he was in the band, some might say.

Eldritch certainly seems to be enjoying himself these days, as has been the case for the last couple of tours, or so I've read. Last time I saw 'em, second Forum 98 show, he was mean n' moody, but performed brilliantly with it. So I was unsure exactly how a 'content' Eldritch would come across. A couple of friends have commented on how shite the Manchester gig last year was, so I was quite worried.

First and Last and Always starts, and any fears immediately disappear. It's business as usual for the boys, and from that point on, the whole show is pretty much a blur. Needless to say, the moshpit was the place to be. The rest of the crowd may or may not have been larging it, but down the front it was relentless. If they ever outlaw 'moshing' (it HAS been mentioned, post Roskilde and Big Day Out), I'll stop going to gigs.

The setlist was the usual mix of new stuff and live favourites (not fan faves, it has to be said, but hey). Crash and Burn sounded excellent in the flesh, and Will I Dream seems to have added muscle. War On Drugs was the standout song from the main set. Absolutely manic, it breathed new energy into my, by that point exhausted, body, and off we went again, into the arena of the bruised rib.

The encores backed up Eldritch's comments about none-too-subtle covers for this tour, Capricorn (actually Capricorn, not First And Last, for a change) followed by Rock N Roll Part whatever. Groovy, both sounded like Sisters numbers, and Eldritch was having a wail of a time singing them.

Something Fast and Snub Nose were also magnificent in the encores, did they also play Jolene? I was seriously past it by the end, and I really ain't sure. Similarly, I have no idea whether they did or didn't play Temple, but it was good to hear Alice again!

In all, 'twas a truly marvelous show, there's definitely life in the old dogs yet, though I have long since given up waiting for that 'difficult' fourth album to appear.

Oh, and Eldritch looked more like E.T. than usual in his hoodie.

Written by George Carless (kafka93@home.com) for Dominion mailing list

Much the same as in York, only better. No sound problems, and Eldritch on particularly ebullient form. Evidently cheerful to be back in Leeds -- something along the lines of "it's good to be home" was said -- his merriness seemed to me, shall we say, chemically enhanced. I'm not quite sure what was going on towards the end, 'cause I was too knackered and had left my glasses at home, but I believe it was something along the lines of Jim Morrison-style fly-unzipping and general, forgive the pun, cockiness. Rock and Roll.

A blinding Jolene joined the covers for the night; a real stand out for me, though, was a very well sung "Something Fast", which betrayed none of the shakiness or hesitancy that seems to often mark the song. It took me until Leeds to realize how bloody fantastic Crash and Burn is, too -- I'd agree with Andrius' suggestion that this, more than Summer, deserves to be the next single.

Incidentally, if I didn't say it before, Snub Nose is fantastic, at the moment. Pure rock out bliss.

A quick note on the support acts -- Dave and the Two Pale Boys were brilliant, if you ask me -- I'm crap at describing music, but it was amusing, sad, talented bluesy stuff: "self pity's a terrible thing to keep to yourself -- spread it around". Tin Star, I could take or leave -- the guy has a great voice, and the music's a kind of quasi-industrial, quasi-80s/early 90s rock thing which kicked things up nicely, but I don't think I'd pursue their music myself.

Having not seen the Sisters play the UK for quite a while, it was certainly refreshing to see them back on home turf -- I've not seen them play in the North before, either, and it was good to see them clearly enjoying themselves and without the horrible collection of poseurs in the audience that's been a hallmark of American and, to a lesser extent, London gigs.

Both concerts were well-managed; It adds a certain something when the line you're queuing in moves quickly, when the security's relatively courteous and when the bar's well staffed and well coordinated.

Just for the record: the shirt's glow-in-the-dark. And was worn by Eldritch on both this and Leeds nights, if memory serves. And the cake-throwing was splendid; and, as ever, there's a drug reference in there somewhere (as I know now, following a discussion with fellow listees; cheers for that :))

Written by Tina von Stein (t_von_stein@hotmail.com) for Dominion mailing list

This time we all met at the Fenton. The mostly asked question nowadays is "are you on the list?" I saw so many faces and heard so many names (more or less familiar). I love these meetings!!

The Refectory in Leeds is a lot larger than the Vanbrugh College, maybe a capacity of 1500? I tried to go as near to the stage as possible without being pushed too much. The place was very crowded and hot like hell. I did not see a merchandise stall.

Amphetamine Logic was not played, neither was Body Electric. I missed these a lot. Alice was very powerful again. Haha, again I gathered from reliable sources that Anaconda was played. Maybe I am turning deaf or what, again I did not recognize it. I must have my ears open tonight in Nottingham!

The crowd was wilder than in York and lots of people I talked to afterwards said that the Leeds gig was much better than the York gig. As for myself, I liked the intimacy and the feeling of a "special event" at the York gig but there was more energy in the air in Leeds.

And again I enjoyed the sight of people climbing on each others shoulders. Tonight i will ask my husband to take me on his shoulders - so watch out!!!

Written by Don F Robertson (vonbek@globalnet.co.uk) for The Sisters of Mercy Tours webzine

Eldritch seems pleased at returning to the Sisters spiritual home ground and remarks that it's good to be home several times.

Sadly, I find the gig itself average when compared to what the Sisters are capable of (that said, the Sisters being average is still a damn site better than most bands). This may be due to the gig being overshadowed by the exclusive nature of last night's warm up at York's Vanbrugh college, however, that would necessitate ignoring several technical problems and the choice of set list. Feedback mars the early songs and although it is eventually cured the acoustic guitar of Something Fast sounds over amplified. Another problem is the design of the Refectory - a long and narrow hall that bottles the crowd together. During the frenzied outbreak engendered by Anaconda my nose connects with the rear of someone's head and I'm forced to make a temporary retreat to a more quiet area.

The set follows a similar format to that of the previous evening with several notable substitutions. Body Electric, Amphetamine Logic and Temple Of Love are replaced by Anaconda, War On Drugs and On The Wire/Teachers, while This Corrosion is replaced in the encores by Something Fast and Jolene.

Written by Paul Faulkner (Von.Faulkner@btinternet.com) for The Sisters of Mercy Tours webzine

Just got back from the gig at Leeds Uni., and I have to say that it was a stormer, new stuff and all.

He opened with First and Last and Always and ended with War on Drugs. The band also seem to have perfected Summer but if I had a say on the next single it would have to be the awesome Crash and Burn. I cannot remember the set in its entirety, but I remember singing to almost everything, including a song by lesser known band called Motorhead but at the time I didn't know what and how it was until about 10 seconds from the end of the song. Encores come and go and we finished with a full blown Vision Thing. As with most gigs we get the usual muttering from Andy and he seemed quite happy to play in the adopted home of the Sisters. He even invited us to meet him in the ASDA (UK supermarket) at New Pudsey (a town just outside Leeds). He also mentioned that it was good to be home and on my part it was good to see him home.

(Map of the Pudsey (Leeds 28) supermarket location is here. Note Bramley (Leeds 13) and Kirkstall (Leeds 5) to the right of it. Leeds center is beyond Kirkstall. Leeds 13 is discussed here).

As we were a bit late I missed some of David Thomas and the two pale boys (sorry Dave) but I quite liked them. And then we have Tin Star absolutely brilliant (please play the UK again, Tim&co) they have been locked in a studio for the last year making a new record (see, its not that hard) and I may buy it. All I want to know is why didn't Tim B join the boys for Vision Thing because I think that would have been a top way to end a top gig.

The End (ish).

Written by Mik Foggin (mfoggin@indigo.ndirect.co.uk) for Dominion mailing list

General concurrence with all the previous postings on Leeds.

I had such a good time bumping into people I haven't seen for 5 or 6 years that it was almost a disappointment that the band came on.

Eldritch seemed to enjoying himself immensely; I was about two from the front just to the left of centre so I had a pretty good view - he looked like a cross between a spastic John Lydon and Prince Naseem Hamed before a fight; bouncing on his feet like a psychotic bantamweight, an impression undoubtedly helped by his Rocky XX stage attire of sweatshirt over hooded sweatshirt.

Also nice to bump into a few listees who I introduced myself to at random (correctly) assuming that anyone with a 'cake' t-shirt (it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Eldritch would be a Chris Morris fan, if indeed that's where the reference comes from), would have some connection to the list.

A bit of a shame that the Black Lodge peeps didn't organize an aftershow event (or perhaps they couldn't?) as the sight of two thousand people route-marching to the Phono (capacity 350) was a trifle irritating, specially since I didn't get in (the ignominy of it!) and had to go to the Garage instead.

All in all, a top night.

Written by Rob Fakes (rob@kebra.co.uk) for Dominion mailing list

I was wondering if anyone else saw the middle aged guy we saw shout "Sad-bitch" at some goth girl sitting by the loos in Leeds last week, yep she had silly make-up on, but for fucks sake she was about 17 or summat, it was horrible, the guy was about 35 and with a load of mates, she was on her own waiting for her Molko-alike boyfriend one wouldn't doubt, and she looked a little disturbed to say the least. If you're out there I realize you probably wouldn't have done it if you were sober, but come on have a heart mate! As George will testify it was a nasty little scene to witness. See you next time G.

Pictures by David Batey, bigger versions are here.