Gothic Rock Comes Alive in Derby: A Review of Courtesan and Sanctum Sanctorium
Refreshing a band isn’t easy, but new musicians Alistair Middleton on keyboards and bassist Mark Knowles effortlessly integrated into the Courtesan gang, who opened for the main act at this popular Derby venue.
Fronted by long-time vocalist and guitarist John Hodgson, they began their set with “Broken Soul,” “Neon,” and “Sound of Heaven,” which the large, appreciative crowd enjoyed. Their music has a rock/goth/industrial vibe, allowing them to play at various types of venues. The group performed confidently, with settled guitarist Nigel Limer playing well. As in many bands, the drummer is always crucial, and Diego Benito kept a solid, steady beat. The short set featured strong original tunes, and they ended on a high note with a crowd-pleasing cover of Placebo’s hit “Nancy Boy.”
Headliners Sanctum Sanctorium might have been new to me, but they already have a strong following for their take on dark eighties classics. Formed in 2019, they began live performances post-COVID, and while the first few songs were a bit slow, they soon picked up the pace with Cult classics like “Rain” and “Spirit Walker,” complete with costume changes by frontman David Black to match the mood. His performance was almost spellbinding, showing that he’s learned his craft well. Of course, one man doesn’t make a band, and his cohorts—lead guitarist Roger Smith, bassist Brad Hull, vocalist/bassist Claire Helm, and drummer Sayon Beaufort-Harwood—contributed significantly to the overall sound. All sixteen tracks received good applause, with “Hong Kong Garden” and “Temple of Love” standing out. The venue also did a decent job with lighting and production.
Having seen several tribute acts over the years, I felt that Sanctum Sanctorium took it to another level, and I suspect our paths may cross again.
Gothic Rock Comes Alive in Derby: A Review of Courtesan and Sanctum Sanctorium @ Rock News
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