The Sisters of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy play Rock City in Nottingham on 19 September 2026. Formed in Leeds at the turn of the ’80s, the band found its path between post-punk, gothic rock and dark new wave, driven by Andrew Eldritch’s baritone and insistent programmed rhythms. Early singles and the 1985 debut First and Last and Always set their tone on the UK independent scene, before a reshuffle placed Eldritch firmly at the helm. Floodland (1987) expanded the sound with synth-led atmospheres, then Vision Thing (1990) pushed toward a tougher, guitar-forward approach.

Over time, with departures from founder Gary Marx and the Hussey/Adams duo who went on to form The Mission, The Sisters evolved into a flexible live outfit anchored by Eldritch and a rotating core of musicians. On stage today, they revisit their catalogue with a mix of staples and unreleased pieces, reworking arrangements to balance shadowy electronics with driving riffs. At Rock City, expect a set that moves through repetition and texture, guided by that unwavering drum pulse and Eldritch’s voice, tracing the band’s arc from brooding minimalism to denser, more expansive moods.