For fans of dark, alternative and electronic music from the Eighties there is only one regret, that no-one is making it any more. At least not the way they used to.
The heroes of the dark and smoky clubs, who used to scare your gran with an appearance on Top of the Pops, have either joined the great This Corrosion chorus in the sky, or are drowning in their own pretentiousness. Nick Cave is a dark beacon in a sea of light, and what's left of the Sisters of Mercy still tour, and still refuse to release any new material, but beyond that all is lost.
Then in walks Theo Vandenhoff, without doubt the greatest new talent you haven't heard of yet, stalking out of Canada to play support act at two dozen dates across the UK and Ireland. The Canadian singer looks like the offspring of Nick Cave and David Bowie and pounces around the stage like Mick Jagger - and his music is instantly captivating.
It resonates not only with the old guard who yearn for the days of Moonchild and I Walk The Line, but also with the new generations inspired to seek out great music by the Eighties revival epitomised by Stranger Things.
I saw Theo Vandenhoff as the second support act in a small pub, capacity 275, on the edges of Plymouth - and was instantly blown away. He transports you back to the Eighties with songs that sound like they could have been a Merciful Release, but are also vibrant and fresh and full of modern energy.
You can't listen to track after track without hearing strains of The Birthday Party, The Damned, The Mission, The Cult, The Cure, Joy Division, Soft Cell, Nine Inch Nails, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Xymox and on and on.
It is incredible how he manages to blend the influences of all these legends into something that sounds the same, and totally new at the same time.
If you're a fan of alt music, Goth music or industrial groove machines - run to your nearest device and listen to Heartache is an Empty Room, Temper and Rosetta - then you'll be fighting to listen to every other Theo Vandenhoff track you can find.
You won't be able to listen to Alles ist Besser without channelling Marian.
Goth is undead.
Catch Theo Vandenhoff supporting Cryw*nk in Belfast on November 27, Brighton on November 29, Southampton on November 30, Leeds on December 3, Glasgow on December 4, Edinburgh on December 5, Glasgow on December 6, Manchester on December 7, Sheffield on December 9 and Birmingham on December 10.
Find Theof Vandenhoff on YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, Instagram, Twitter and Spotify.
