Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival Whitby – 27th October 2023

 Diamond Dave finds his inner Goth and embarks on vampire shenanigans!

Bram Stoker, the Irish author wrote the literary classic “Dracula” in a hotel overlooking the derelict remains of Whitby Abbey in 1897. He was so inspired by the stunning scenery that he even set part of the story here, as the Transylvanian Count takes the form of a wolf and seeks safety in the Abbey ruins and from that moment on, this seaside town has always been associated with matters of darkness. For years Goths have come to Whitby to celebrate a lifestyle that I have always been fascinated with. Author John Robb earlier this year published the definitive history of Goth music and although there are bands who do not like to be linked in with Goth culture, they are all celebrated at this amazing event.

Bands play over two days in Whitby Pavilion, and I see myself here once again on the weekend just before Halloween. It is a wonderful festival and one of the things that becomes immediately apparent is that it is so much more than just the music that is celebrated at Tomorrow’s Ghosts. Fashion, literature and a truly original lifestyle are all part of the event. The first thing that hits you is just how incredibly nice everyone is to each other! There is no violent moshing and these Goths (some of whom are definitely drawing their pension and will need to put their fangs in to a glass beside their bed at the end of the evening) will not be pogoing on top of each other, but there will be a certain amount of promenading showing off some truly incredible outfits and make up that would make Gene Simmons green with envy!

Westenra are the first band I see on the weekend and they immediately make an impression with their haunting sound but they leave the biggest surprise of the night till the end by finishing their set with a cover of Iron Maiden’s  Number Of The Beast! In many ways this is exactly what a cover version should be as the track is given a complete Gothic make over. Imagine if the 1982 Maiden classic did not have the air raid siren vocals of Bruce Dickenson but Siouxie and her Banshees had come up with the song and you are about on the right lines!

A lone saxophone heralds  Theatre Of Hate hitting the stage as the band launch in to set opener, Judgement. Singer Kirk Brandon announces to the crowd that “it is great to be back in Whitby” and I can’t help but agree with him and the band go into Original Sin. Conquistador and 63 follow with both songs having a sort of military rhythm but the song of the whole performance must be The Wake with it’s bass heavy groove that has everyone shaking their booty (well in a slightly sinister way maybe!). There is a sharp in take of breath from the crowd when Brandon proclaims it is time to “Strip off” but we need not have worried that clothes did remain on as the band launch in to My Own Invitation.

Theatre Of Hate have been travelling around the US recently with tonight’s headliners The Mission and have finely tuned this 45 minute set so it can pack one hell of a punch! Tribal drums build the crowd in to a frenzy with Do You Believe In The Westworld? Which also incites the crowd for the first big singalong of this year’s Tomorrow’s Ghosts and with Propaganda finishing off an impressive set. I am pleased  that although it may be a while till I see Brandon in his Theatre Of Hate era , a Spear Of Destiny tour is coming at the end of November!

And so to the evening’s headliners, The Mission who started their Déjà vu World Tour in Mexico on October 18^th 2022 and here we are in Whiby over a year later with the band due to finish the tour the following evening in London. I think it is all too easily forgotten what a special band The Mission are and the  band celebrate their 40 year career in grand style. The theme from the Dambusters blasts through the P.A. and the band enter the stage. With the audience a sea of black clothing, singer Wayne Hussey shows his individuality by wearing a pink shirt to which he refers to during the set. I had forgotten what an entertaining frontman Hussey is and he is full of quips and banter throughout this 16 song set. Opener Beyond The Pale from the 1988 album, Children shows The Mission at what they do best, slow building songs that often have a killer chorus and continues with Hands Across The Ocean. It’s weird that the one thing that keeps on going through my mind is how The Mission have become a classic band so easily and there is a real variety in their set where Raising Cain (with it’s Stones- esque swagger and woo woos) to the grandiose Butterfly On A Wheel all have the audience enthralled! The main part of the set is finished with Deliverance which sees every member of the crowd singing along and then taking it to the next level when the crowd sing the chorus acapella until the band return to the stage for an encore with the only light being that which emanates from a giant glitterball hanging from the middle of the dance floor….it really is hairs on the back of the neck stuff!

The said encore begins with Love Me To Death, which is followed by Belief but the best is saved to the final two songs. During Wasteland, confetti fills the air every time Hussey sings the chorus as the dancefloor suddenly sees human pyramids. Grooving goths whose dancing always seems based around arm movements, rather than the feet, is a sight to behold. Tribal drums show us that Tower Of Strength will be our final song of the evening while Hussey screams like a banshee throughout and The Mission say goodbye to this Whitby crowd. The band are in such fine form….well I wouldn’t be upset if we get The Mission coming back to this beautiful Yorkshire coastal sound to celebrate their half century!!