Whitby’s dark side comes to the fore next weekend as the Goths descend, reports MATT CLARK

WHILE most of the country may be dreading the thought of dark night despondency, the folk in Whitby can’t wait to turn back their clocks.

You see next weekend is Gothic Weekend and it just wouldn’t really work on a sunny evening. Festival goers will be praying for howling gales, lashing seas and driving rain, because that’s when this most atmospheric of seaside towns comes into its own – especially 199 steps above the harbour at the eerie abbey which inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula.

Since then, trashy vampire related activities became two a penny in town, but it’s when the black haired, black caped and black eyed Goths hit town, that Whitby delights in its dark side.

For a couple of days all manner of weird and wonderful characters can be seen ghosting through the ginnels and queuing along the quayside.

And not just Goths. There will Punks, Steampunks, Emos, Bikers and Metallers all of them hell bent on one thing; having a damn good time together. To make sure they do, bands from around the world will be there with lyrics as dark as the evening sky.

Having the event over bonfire weekend is a first for the festival and festival organiser Jo Hampshire says she is really looking forward to it all.

“Tickets sales are going well at present and we are excited about the programme over the weekend. To get bands from across the globe to perform at our weekend shows how big the event has become.”

Whitby’s Goth weekend has grown over its 17 years to become one of the world’s most popular of its kind, regularly attracting thousands of people for the two weekends in spring and autumn.

Acts on offer at the Pavilion Complex are Abney Park, The Mist of Avalon, Devilish Presley, Cryogenica and Berlin Black on Friday, while Saturday sees Chameleons Vox, The Last Dance Rhombus, The Dark Shadows and The Death Notes take to the stage.

Also at the Pavilion is the Bizarre Bazaar, an unmissable alternative market where you can buy anything goth related, from baby clothes to barbed wire ear rings.

There will be spooky events at the ruined abbey, ghost tours, creepy crafts and Victorian funerals with costumed undertakers and hangmen. Not to mention the football match between Real Gothic and Athletico Gazette.

As ever, the town will be packed, hotels and B&Bs have been booked months in advance and the restaurants will undoubtedly do a roaring trade.

Chefs beware though, there won’t be much demand for garlic.

• Weekend tickets cost £47 and day tickets £25 from whitbypavilion.co.uk or 01947 604855