The Cure – MSG 6-20-08

Underneath The Stars @ Madison Square Garden



There is so much to say about this show. Where to start is the dilemma. The performance I guess…

The Cure were at the top of their game. The main set ran for two hours and the three encores stretched the show to run for three hours total. Not one minute was wasted. The show gave The Cure’s career a fair and balanced representation. They opened with a few languid and jangely pieces that claimed all of the space in arena as nothing other than Cure territory. From there they delivered pockets of infectious pop songs, oppressive doom and gloom, more jangely spacious numbers, hard rocking pounders, silly dance tunes, and finally a set of early post punk brilliance. Thirty years of songs and history built to a very strong performance that blended well and still felt vital and new. They played six new songs from their upcoming LP and they not only held their own alongside classic songs, but some of them even stole the show. Robert even let loose a little between songs and talked more than usual, (which is still not much). Normally, he doesn’t say much more than the occasional, “thank you,” or, “thank you, goodnight.” This evening he was feeling rather randy and poking fun at himself for mumbling when he talks to the crowd. He even went so far as to repeatedly mimic himself. He clearly was having as good of a time as I was.

They are playing as a four piece band for the first time in a very long time in their career. For the past 20 years, they have been playing as a five piece band with keyboards in the fifth spot. The keys are gone and all of the keyboard parts have been picked up on guitar. As a result they sound much more raw and lively. This is also the first time that they have toured the US since Porl Thompson returned to the band on guitar. The Cure’s sound definitely missed Porl’s sense of texture during his absence.

I am happy to report that I still have not missed a tour since I first saw them in 1992. Every time I see them I am in awe of just how much I connect to all of their music. Given how good this show was, I plan to continue that streak for as long as they keep coming around.

The set list, care of my friends at ChainOfFlowers:

Underneath The Stars, Prayers For Rain, A Night Like This, The End of the World, Lovesong, To Wish Impossible Things, Pictures of You, Lullaby, Fascination Street, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, The Perfect Boy, Hot Hot Hot, The Only One, Wrong Number, The Walk, Sleep When I'm Dead, Push, Friday I'm In Love, Inbetween Days, Just Like Heaven, Primary, Shake Dog Shake, Charlotte Sometimes, One Hundred Years, Baby Rag Dog Book

1st encore: If Only Tonight We Could Sleep, The Kiss
2nd encore: Freakshow, Close To Me, Why Can't I Be You?
3rd encore: Boys Don't Cry, Jumping Someone Else's Train, Grinding Halt, 10:15 Saturday Night, Killing An Arab

I'm going...

Sorry for the lack of posts, but it is just that time of year. The good news is that I will be going to see The Cure in New York this coming weekend. I will maintain my track record of having not missed a tour since I first saw them in '92. I lamented the fact that I was going to miss this one for long enough. A week ago, more tickets were put up for sale and I jumped on it. My friend Rob and I will be in the nose bleed seats. The Fuse network is supposed to broadcast parts of the show as it is going on Friday night. If you have Fuse, tune in at 11 and look for me when they scan the crowd. I'll be the one in black. Review to come.

SOTD - Grinderman/Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars)

It's no secret that Nick Cave is high on my list of respected artists. His career has weathered a long and tenacious span and enjoyed it's years of inspiration and suffered periods of stale monotony. The last few years have seen a revitalization in his song writing and energy in his performances. It also saw him move beyond the comfort of the Bad Seeds by starting Grinderman. Granted, Grinderman is made of select members of the Bad Seeds, it did shake things up and work as a situational muse. The result is a high octane recollection of his first band, the Birthday Party. The self-titled album is a raw and rockin' romp. It also yielded one of the best songs I've heard in a long time, "Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars)." The song swells with guitars and energy with wailing keyboards and the man even buzzes like an angry bee during the chorus. This live version even has him flapping his arms like a bee. Way to Kick Ass, Nick! The new found energy carries over into his new Bad Seeds record. Check out the title track, "Dig! Lazarus, Dig!"