Review: The Cure live @ Rod Laver Arena


I am, it must be said, a Cure fan. I last saw the band live in 2000, during their tour in support of the Bloodflowers album, at which they focussed on dark, atmospheric album tracks from the likes of Pornography, Faith and Disintegration. This time around, it was very much a greatest hits package they offered over an epic, sometimes self-indulgent three hours at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night (and incidentally the reason why I didn't go to the closing night film and party at MIFF).

I really expected to like the concert, but confess that there were actually times when I was bored. Playing as a stripped-back quartet, with only bass, drums and two guitars to create what is usually a richly textured soundscape, meant that several of the songs they played lacked depth and drama. Instead, the band made up for what they lacked in volume, but I wanted more than just loud guitars.

There were some standout tracks - 'One Hundred Years' from Pornography and 'Pictures of You' and 'Fascination Street' from Disintegration - but for my tastes, it wasn't really until the encores that the night came alive for me. A string of hits, including '10:15 on a Saturday Night', 'Jumping Someone Else's Train', 'Friday I'm in Love', 'Let's Go To Bed' and 'Why Can't I Be You?' brought the audience to their feet, and ended the night on a high note.

I still missed the keyboards, though...and I was definitely glad I didn't fork out $100 for a ticket!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks for the review Richard. I almost went to see them, but somehow seeing a bunch of old guys whom I remember as not-so-old guys just didn't appeal (I don't know why James Brown doesn't get in this category. Perhaps I'm just not expressing myself well today). I'll listen to a CD instead.
16/8/07 20:23
Anonymous said…
i've been scouring the net for review(s) on The Cure's Melbourne visit but can't find one that actually deconstructs the show. are they now that irrelevant? it's my first time to see them live (in person) and i was not disappointed. it was definitely 'The Cure' who were onstage. i have been a fan since 1985 when i had to scrounge up pocket money for months to buy a cassette of Boys Don't Cry. in a third world country that worshipped Air Supply, it was a mean feat. that one night in Melbourne gave me all the satisfaction a fan could ever need. and you were right the encores were the best part of the show. long live Robert Smith. cheers.
16/8/07 22:55
Dreck said…
Gah!
Robert Smith looks worse in each successive photo of him I see.
But that's beside the point.
I would give my right arm to hear the band play 100 Years live.
Or maybe just $50...
16/8/07 23:30
Anonymous said…
im totally jealous, one of my main dissapointments of leaving aussieland was missing the cure play :)

I still remember being in total awe at the last cure concert, especially the amazing lighting during fascination street (....OK, here is where I should admit its the one and only time ive tried dextromorphan.... and I was probably peaking during that song *grin*)

coincedentally enough just a couple of nights ago I was sitting at the eagle in portland; staring at the sea was playing in the background, and I was in full swing debating cure albums with a bartender... we both agreed pornography was our fave

greetings from heavily tattooed furry oregon
rob.
17/8/07 10:24
richardwatts said…
anonymous - glad you enjoyed the show. Parts of it filled me with joy, it must be said. There was a detailed review of the gig in The Age earlier this week, btw.

Dreck - '100 Years' was good, but it was even better the last tour. Not that I'm gloating at having heard it played live twice, you understand... ;-)

Robocast, I'm impressed - you've just referenced a drug I've never heard of, and that's saying something! And yes, Pornography is an AMAZING album - the newly remastered edition even more so!
17/8/07 21:22
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