On the evening of last Friday, the 26th, the area around Tokio Marine Hall, a concert venue located in the south of São Paulo, was packed to welcome Sisters of Mercy , a mainstay of post-punk, who performed here for the twentieth time. Even with decades on the road, numerous lineup changes, and a final show in 2023 that disappointed even the most devoted fans, the venue was overflowing, bringing together different generations of enthusiasts of gothic music and dark aesthetics.
Everywhere you looked there were combat boots, spikes, flowing dresses, and a lot of anticipation. Some fans had seen the band before, but others came from other cities to see them. Something like a "must-have" for any admirer of their sound. Even with half the audience outside, drinking, eating, and taking advantage of the affordable prices of food trucks and street vendors, some people were already crowding to see 3 Pipe Problem , the band that opened the night, with a mix of post-punk and alternative rock, and which may have taken its name from a mystery novel written by the Englishman Julian Symons . It was a short but energetic show, with original songs, and the highlight was during their cover of the new wave anthem "Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran .
Even with the venue's powerful acoustics, as well as the lighting that further enhanced the gloomy and somber atmosphere of the performances—a play of light and shadows that only avoided feeling like you were in the basement of Madame Club because it was brighter—some aspects were visibly bothersome. The size of the premium area, for example, compared to the regular area, was one of them. The premium area occupied almost the entire space, and those who opted for the more financially viable option were left at the back of the venue, seeing only blurry shapes on stage. The main band also chose not to use the video screens, something already expected of them, which only made it more difficult for those in the regular area to see.
When the members of The Sisters stepped onto the stage, they were met with a standing ovation, even though there was little room to raise their hands. Everyone seemed enthusiastic and genuinely in sync, especially guitarists Kai and Ben Christo , who seemed to be having as much fun as he was in the audience. The legendary Doktor Avalanche was led by Chris Catalyst , who disappeared into the mist. Some vocal tracks remained pre-recorded, and this was noticeable, but this time Andrew Eldritch , the central figure of The Sisters, filled everything with his charming, whispering voice; a whisper of lament enveloping us, still with his charm intact, even after so many years. At certain moments, he deepened his voice or let out occasional screams, as in the hit "Lucretia My Reflection," showing that he still has that dark charm, but also a silent reminder that time is passing, even if everyone has the illusion that our idols have to remain forever frozen as they were in their eighties heyday.
Eldritch's presence on stage, smiling, wandering from one side to the other with his cold, vampiric charisma, contrasted with the more explicit enthusiasm of the other members. Each seemed to connect with the audience in their own way, keeping alive a dynamic that, despite the years, still works. Enveloped in a thick fog of artificial lights, the members looked like ghostly figures on a carefully minimalist stage.
The setlist meandered through iconic tracks with almost nonexistent gaps, as if they wanted to compress decades of history into just over an hour of show. There was “Mother Russia,” “More,” the inevitable “Lucretia My Reflection,” and, of course, “This Corrosion,” which closed the night with a powerful chorus that reverberated like a ritualistic chant in a cave, even in a modern setting like the Tokio Marine Hall. After the last song, the audience dispersed and headed out into the São Paulo nightlife. One of the most popular spots, of course, was Madame Club, which was open to those who chose to stay longer, playing yesterday's classics and the latest post-punk hits.
Our photographer Jéssica Marinho was also at the show and captured the evening. Check out our exclusive photo gallery below.
