The Sisters of Mercy & Blaqk Audio bring darkwave to San Diego

Self-proclaimed ‘intellectual love gods’ The Sisters of Mercy brought their headlining North American tour to San Diego’s Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater on October 5th, 2024. Alongside them were dark electro-pop Blaqk Audio — the side project of AFI’s Davey Havoc and Jade Puget.

Frontman Havok commanded the stage with energy, twisting and twirling across every corner, while composer Puget laid down beats and hooks from his podium. The duo delivered a dynamic 45-minute set, featuring songs mostly from their 2019 album, Only Things We Love, but also dipping into earlier favorites like “Stiff Kittens” from their debut Cex Cells and “1948” from 2020’s Beneath the Black Palms.

As the clock struck 8pm, the stage began to overflow with fog (like, the most fog I’ve ever seen on a stage ever) and the “old-new” lineup took the stage. Andrew Eldritch is once again backed by Ben Christo on guitar, with the addition of Kai from London metal band Esprit D’Air as a second guitarist. Chris Catalyst is back to manage Doktor Avalanche.

This powerful lineup is ready to exceed all expectations.

Known for shunning the spotlight, their silhouetted stage presence was powerful. The band kicked off with a medley of Vision Thing classics “Doctor Jeep” and “Detonation Blvd”, delivering an impressive sound. Eldritch’s unmistakable vocals rang out powerfully, while Christo and Kai added a sharper edge, giving the tracks a bold, rock-driven intensity. The only notable absence was the iconic bassline from “Lucretia My Reflection.” Instead, a sharp guitar riff took its place, bringing a fresh twist that left the audience more than satisfied.

Despite their preference for shadows over spotlights, the group’s energy and chemistry lit up the stage, leaving fans both fulfilled and eager for more. This lineup proves that The Sisters of Mercy continue to push their sound forward while honoring their legacy, keeping their audience on a thrilling ride between past and present.

Photography by Franny Kovacs

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