The Mission to play Dublin for 30th anniversary tour

THIS year marks the 30th anniversary since Goth rockers The Mission first set foot on the stage at the tiny Alice In Wonderland club in London.

To celebrate, the band set out on their most extensive and ambitious tour since they reformed in 2011 and will release a brand new album to mark the occasion.

They play Dublin’s Academy on October 1.

“Thirty bloody years! Who would’ve thought it, eh?” marvelled singer Wayne Hussey. “As we were well renowned for our, ahem, lifestyle choices, shall we say, I remember Melody Maker ran an office pool betting which member of The Mission would die first. 

“I seem to remember Mick was the favourite with yours truly running a close second. Well, we’re still here, alive and well and still going strong. It seems to me that anyone who survives past the age of 50 in this business these days is given honorary legendary status. It’s cheaply given, in my opinion, but we’ll take it. “

In late 1985 Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams left The Sisters Of Mercy and formed The Mission and in early 1986 embarked on their first European tour, supporting The Cult. They released two singles independently, both reaching No 1 in the UK alternative charts.

Over the next eight years the band released six more albums and enjoyed a further 13 top 40 singles including anthemic classics such as ‘Wasteland’, ‘Tower Of Strength’, ‘Beyond The Pale’, ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Butterfly On A Wheel’.

During this period, The Mission enhanced their reputation as one of the best and most exciting live bands in the world, winning countless accolades and inspiring both lurid media stories and a fanatical following as they toured constantly.

Wayne Hussey, Craig Adams, Simon Hinkler  reformed with new drummer, Mike Kelly, to play a sold out European 25th anniversary tour which ended at London’s Brixton Academy, a show that was sold out a full six months in advance. Encouraged by the response of fans, the band extended the tour and then went on to record and release a brand new album in late 2013, ‘The Brightest Light’, which garnered the best press reviews the band had received in years.

Armed by one of the most rabid fan bases in the world, The Mission continued to excite the legions with a slew of successful shows and tours and have continued to do so ever since.