With The Mission celebrating the 40th anniversary of their classic debut album God’s Own Medicine, originally released on 10 November 1986, there was plenty of reason to celebrate at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. But with rising goth act Mouth Ulcers opening the evening, this was a night that delivered on more than one front.
First up were Mouth Ulcers, who wasted no time making an impression, opening with their latest single, ‘Lady Rust’. It immediately set the bar high, a standard they easily maintained throughout the set with tracks including ‘Prevail’, ‘Western Horror Story’, ‘A Perfect End’ and ‘Silent Pictures’, before closing with ‘Closer To You’.
Mouth Ulcers are undoubtedly a band to watch. They have been steadily building momentum, and I predict a goth revival could be on the horizon, with these guys potentially right at the forefront of it. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, they certainly won over the venue on the night.
Then it was time for gothic rock legends The Mission. As the opening intro of ‘Wasteland’ played through the speakers, the band took to the stage, setting the atmosphere perfectly. How can you go wrong when opening with the immortal lines, “I still believe in God, but God no longer believes in me” ? The venue erupted as the song kicked in, and from that moment onwards, the band delivered a blinding performance.
Across the evening, the setlist drew from God’s Own Medicine, Carved In Sand, Masque, Blue, God Is A Bullet and Another Fall From Grace. This was the third of four special anniversary shows, with the first night featuring God’s Own Medicine in its entirety, followed by nights celebrating the wider back catalogue, before the final show would feature songs voted for by the fans.
Personally, I think I picked the best night. The support act was superb, The Mission appeared to be thoroughly enjoying this run of shows, and the setlist was packed with highlights. ‘Like A Child Again’, ‘Shades Of Green’, ‘Butterfly On A Wheel’, ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Met-Amor-Phosis’ were just some of the standout moments.
The evening also featured Mark Gemini Thwaite guesting on selected tracks, while a debut performance of the brand new song ‘Never Say Never Say Die’ gave us more of a taste of what might be coming next, after the recent release of the new single ‘Kindness is a Weapon’.
After 18 songs, the night finally drew to a close with a second encore. With Wayne and Mark having left the stage, the remaining band members launched into The Surfaris’ classic cover of ‘Wipe Out’ a wonderfully unexpected and fitting way to finish.
Wayne may have been feeling a little under the weather during these shows, but you certainly wouldn’t have known it. The vocals were excellent, the band were on top form, and this was genuinely one of the best performances I’ve seen from The Mission.
Forty years on, the magic is still very much alive.
Roll on the new album, Songs For Kith And Kin, and hopefully a tour to follow!
Mouth Ulcers photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Lady Rust
Prevail
The Devil’s Mad
Flames
Western Horror Story
The Diseased
Silent Pictures
Stuck In Your Head
A Perfect End
Closer To You
The Mission photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Wasteland
Like a Child Again
Into the Blue
Fearful
Shades of Green
Absolution
Keep It in the Family
Butterfly on a Wheel
Grotesque
Fabienne
Raising Cain
Severina
Deliverance
________________________
Father
Never Say Never Say Die
Met-Amor-Phosis
Wishing Well (Free cover)
Shelter From the Storm
________________________
Wipe Out (The Surfaris cover)
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic