September 6th, 2014
Downsview Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
9:00 - 11:00 PM on the Riot Stage
Setlist: Shake Dog Shake, Fascination Street, alt.end, Play For Today, Just Like Heaven, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, Pictures of You, Lullaby, High, Hot Hot Hot, Wrong Number, The Walk, Lovesong, Mint Car, Push, Inbetween Days, Friday I'm In Love, Doing the Unstuck, Bananafishbones, Want, Hungry Ghost, One Hundred Years, Give Me It
Encore: Close To Me, Why Can't I Be You?, Boys Don't Cry.
A million thanks to Olivier at it's a perfect day and Max for all of the updates, photos, and videos tonight. We all appreciate it so much!
Reviews: Examiner / National Post / Property of Zack / Exclaim! / Live In Limbo (with photos) / Thirty Four Flavours / Now Toronto / Huffington Post Canada
Photos: it's a perfect day / 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 (Bianca with Roger) - 10 (Robert & Reeves with fans)
Photos from Max: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 (stage setlist)
Videos: Shake Dog Shake 1 - 2 / Fascination Street 1 - 2 - 3 / Just Like Heaven 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 / Pictures of You / Lullaby / Hot Hot Hot / The Walk / Lovesong / Inbetween Days / Friday I'm In Love 1 - 2 / Doing the Unstuck / Bananafishbones 1 - 2 / Want / One Hundred Years 1 - 2 / Give Me It 1 - 2 / Close To Me - Why Can't I Be You - Boys Don't Cry
8:01 PM - Olivier: Simon is stage-left, talking to Keith.
8:25 PM - @LNG_73: The cure setting up. Stage on the right. (Photo)
8:16 PM - Olivier: Not sure who's the genius that had the brilliant idea of having a dance punk band right before The Cure but it was a fucking nightmare. I stopped counting the people that flew over my head at 24! Part of the fun, it is, although my bleeding neighbor begs to differ.
7:23 PM - @jmanley15: just met Jason! What a thrill :)
2:56 PM - Riot Fest: Lovely day for a punk rock picnic in Toronto today. (Photo)
2:55 PM - Riot Fest: TORONTO FYI: FREE WATER stations by main entrance and Rebel Stage.
2:43 PM - Riot Fest: Hello Toronto (Photo)
1:07 PM Riot Fest: Beautiful day in Toronto. (Photo)
12:40 PM - Olivier: A rather small stage, definitely lower than usual, no VIP area nonsense, I really like it here.
No webcast tonight, or for any of the Riots, but I will have the live setlist reports if all goes well. Olivier will be providing them at it's a perfect day, with Paul and Max providing backup. And as always, if you'd like to help, please do! Email me at craigatcof (at) gmail (dot) com or @CraigatCoF on Twitter.
Two requests...photos or descriptions of Cure merchandise, and of course, of any new stickers on Simon's bass. :)
That's it, now go have a great time tonight!
Hope whoever attends has a great time. Hopefully we get at least one set list surprise tonight, if not several.
ReplyDeleteWhat does 'Natal' mean on the drumskin?Have a great time you all! And lets hope for a new song!
ReplyDeleteThe brand name. Natal Drums.
DeleteThanks, being a drummer myself, I didnt see that coming:)
DeleteI'm hoping we hear another b-side from the Top/HOTD/KMKMKM albums that might hint at the future Trilogy shows. That aside, I'm sure it will be an excellent show regardless.
ReplyDeleteOlivier, thank you in advance for the setlist info! I am the one from BottleRock that had Robert'a face hand painted on a thumbnail. My nails will be CURE CRAZY for Riot! Hope to see you in Denver! @Andy...I just said the same thing to a friend yesterday! Fingers and toes are crossed!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been many years since I've danced to the bassline of Lullaby
ReplyDeleteWoah! for a second there, i thought Robert had gone blonde! -matching Reeves! LOL :)
ReplyDeleteIt does look like he isn't wearing a black shirt though.
DeleteThat's definitely not a black shirt. You can tell because of his black pants and black guitars.
DeleteHey, guys, I have a 3 day pass for Chicago Riot Fest to sell. I won't be able to go unfortunately, so it will be wasted. I'll send it for 160 $. my email is: veselin.tenev@gmail.com Enjoy that show!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really wish they would mix things up.
ReplyDeleteSeems we say that after every show. Never happens. And they didn't even play a "surprise" rare song tonight. That surprised me more that them doing the same old set.
DeleteFor years I admired the Cure for not being one of those bands that would feed on "The Best of " collections. Now, I'm afraid they're becoming one. Even Sisters of Mercy who will probably never have a proper release, come up with some new songs every five years around...What's up with Robert ? Don't they own their own material ? Sorry, if I'm negative, I'm very happy that they even come and play at all, but still...you know...
DeleteIt's not negative at all. The Cure have a vast catalog of amazing songs. Wanting to hear more of them live, instead of the same 20-30 every time they play shows, is a compliment. We love these songs and want to hear them. How many more chances will we get?
DeleteI hate "fans" who try to spin that as being negative.
I couldn't agree with you more Craig. Vastly disappointing to not get even one rare song. I travel to as many shows as I possibly can, but other than London and El Paso, rarely get anything different. Like Andy, I am praying for the next reflections shows so I can hear more of their catalogue.
DeleteSisters of Mercy? Jee they have not come up with any new songs or records since, hm 92? Hey, I am very critical about setlists but this one here looks pretty good. Look at Placebo and some other bands. They play the SAME setlist during their endless tours every night.+-1 or 2 songs thats the only difference. And we do not balme them. If you would say the Cure played the same setlist at the same place in two years, well thats probably a good point to rasise complaints.
DeleteOlder fans are alway waiting for rare songs, including me. But it does not mean I can not get myself lost in Want or End or any other song I admire. And yes, as Craig mentioned, this band has a vast catalogue of amazing songs. More than any other bands I know.
As expected, it's just the Greatest Hits setlist.
ReplyDeleteA "punk" show and you don't even play Killing An Arab? Jumping Someone Else's Train? Primary? Grinding Halt? Fire In Cairo? Not even 1 of those? I shake my head.
ReplyDeleteThat's the most punk thing they could do!
DeleteThen I hate punk. :)
DeleteIT'S SO META!!!
DeleteRobert even referenced his apprehension with some of the songs (I think just before Friday he said this) because he was worried about being "punk" enough.
DeleteDamn it! They played "Doing the Unstuck"!? I didn't go because I thought it would be a lame festival setlist, but I kinda wish I'd gone. Great cool, non-humid weather today, too.
ReplyDeleteThey play DTU at every show now.
DeleteToo safe of a set, but at the same time that's a short time for The Cure. This has been the typical set usually. I don't think it would stop me from going though. Just for the hopes to hear a rare one. Would have been awesome if they threw out 'The Exploding Boy'. At least that way it gives me a glimmer of hope for the following Trilogy shows.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think they haven't played anything unusual just because they had "only" two hours, and because it was a festival setlist they chose to "stay safe" and please a more average audience. I don't deny that this is not one of their best setlist, but RAH shows in march give me hope for the future :)
DeleteHopefully since they played most of those songs in Chicago last year they'll mix it up next week. If not I'll watch a few songs and then go and check out Primus and Weezer, they are at least putting out new music.
ReplyDeleteSo, enter the world of gambling. There is 50/50 chance for them to play a "new song" in Chicago, right? (Either brand, brand new - chances seem to be < 1 %, either another goldie, but new to the setlist). Anyway, it will be a treat. My bet: 1) They haven't played anything new, because they didn't have enough time to rehearse anything new. 2) They haven't played anything new tonight, because they wanted to get more comfortable the first night, so they might play the new one on their second. I don't know...There's a hope...Anyway, Elas, I'm not going to be able to go to Chicago. Please, anybody, the offer is still on the table: I'm selling one 3 day pass for Chicago for 160 $. My email is veselin.tenev@gmail.com Please, email. Thank you. Good night.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that it's not because they haven't had the time, since it's been a little over three months since their show at BottleRock, but by that same token, it's been just three months, so I'm not sure about them needing to get comfortable. I'd get that if they were gearing up for a full tour, but they're playing one show per week on the weekend for the next three weeks. Unfortunately it seems as if Robert has become or is becoming something for which he's previously expressed disdain: A nostalgia act who bangs out mostly the hits during shows.
DeleteGreatest Boring Hits set. It's becoming too safe, really. They'll be remembered for siamese twins, pornography, untitled and many more beautiful songs, not for the fucking wrong number or alt. End. Anyway, it's their choice and i have to respect it...but it's becoming disappointing.
ReplyDeleteLook at the bright side: They've taken out 'The End of the World' from the setlist, at least for one show. Granted, I'm not much more fond of 'alt.end', but at least the band played something other than 'TEOTW' from the self-titled album, though I wish that they'd again do 'Labyrinth', which is outstanding in a live setting.
DeleteHi Shawn!Yes, it's a Good new. Labyrinth, Before Three, Lost, The Promise, Going Nowhere, Anniversary...many beautiful songs. I really don't understand why they play the worst tracks from that album...but it's a band choice and i've to respect it or not to go to the festivals...
DeleteHi everyone! In addition to the two Instagram pics that I took with my phone and have already been posted, here are some that I took with my camera (sorry for the heads as I'm not tall):
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153192469567575.1073741841.514192574&type=1&l=4badae0fb5
Complaining about the setlist is a bit like complaining about getting presents at Christmas. Its pretty obvious now which songs are going to be played, especially at a festival, unless you get lucky and there's a 'Harold and Joe' moment. Yeah, it would be great to hear a more varied selection sometimes, but it isn't going to happen, definitely not at a festival anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's 10 years i think that the play the same setlist, it's like a never ending reunion. Another thing..they always play the most famous songs apart from 2-3 ones (give me it, bananafishbones) to be honest..when an artist start to repeat the same thing forever the sense of urgence is gone..the creativity is over. but it's nice anyway to see them around..if they enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYou sleep
DeleteSleep in a safe bed
Curled and protected
Protected from sight
Under a safe roof
Deep in your house
Unaware of the changes at night.
What else can you wish for after more then 30 years? Hey common now. We are lucky this band is still alive and play for us! and not gone with.. whatever.
Shame no ''A Forest''. They never play that one anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat's a joke, right?
Deletefrom the short video clips so far, I hear much more Reeves letting out his guitar wail! LOVE IT!! I hope that the last few years are just a transition of sorts...into the new. these "greatest hits" festival sets are still pretty solid considering their catalogue and their audience. saving the deep tracks for non-festival shows makes sense to me. [nice to see they played "alt.end" instead of TEOTW!] but still, throwing in a upbeat b-side or something for the hardcore fans like "Burn" or "39" or "Cut" or "How Beautiful You Are" or...would be very lovely. maybe something very very different is coming? maybe the new stuff will be way more guitar driven with Reeves in the mix?? some here give him [and Jason still] hell for being the newbie but the man can do things with those Reverends that previous Cure guitarist haven't. Reeves very well could be the last lead guitarist The Cure will have. Sad to think, but the end is coming. BUT...I am really excited for what's to come... [and trying to wait patiently...patiently]
ReplyDeleteWell, I was never really able to understand why that separation between Festival sets and "the real 4 hour only proper Cure concerts" ? If they really think that these are two complete different audiences, then my humble guess is that they are just wrong....Unless, the promoters have some special wishes...:))
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that the last time that they didn't try to cater to festival audiences was back during the Dream Tour, where the festival sets looked identical to the full shows, only shorter in length.
DeleteI don't think that it is negative to be disappointed by the sets, especially on how your thoughts are expressed. Robert Smith has been thinking that he can get a new generation of fans interested, which isn't really going to happen. Kids with no attention span who listen to mp3s are not going to be interested in The Cure and the pop heavy/singles sets seem like a large waste to most fans who want to hear superior material. What happened to "Fight," "Just One Kiss," "The Top," "Burn" and "2 Late?" It is cool that they are keeping songs from The Top in the setlist, but most of the rest is dull. And why have they abandoned nearly everything from Seventeen Seconds, Faith and Pornography in the past several years?
ReplyDeleteAs a "kid with no attention span" I beg to differ :P No, seriously, I totally agree with you. It's sad that they've left 90% of their early stuff out of the festival kind of setlists, and this wave of disappointed fans is perfectly normal, after last night setlist (I woke up at 3AM to follow the setlist, so I was double disappointed in the end!)... I still trust Robert though, maybe time will prove me wrong but I'm sure he knows what to do. For now, let's see what next Sunday will bring us :)
DeleteThey are a boring nostalgia act. Period.
ReplyDelete"Being safe" isn't an excuse for playing the same setlist over and over, with very few exceptions, but that's my opinion. They are being paid the same and will probably have the same audience, no matter if they play TEOTW or Carnage Visors.
ReplyDeleteCheck 85 or 89 set lists. Those are all safe too. With not wanting to say I want less change or extra "new" songs.
DeleteIn looking at recent setlists, it is the US that tends to get the standard singles shows. They must think that all the Americans want to hear is "Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm In Love." If that is the case, they should book casinos in the US.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cure-concerts.de/main/2014.php
I do not think so. Its for ALL fans. Dos not matter you live in LA or Boston or London or Berlin. This is what you get. poduct of 30+ years.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig5gWRO-lYc This one is for Eric.
ReplyDeletezzzzzzzzzzzz only shit with REEVES!!!!zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ReplyDelete? Everything is coming to a grinding halt!
DeleteHas Robert lost weight or something? He looks slightly trimmer.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but also he got a haircut!
DeleteI don't understand people defending The Cure now with "It's a festival setlist", like it is an excuse for mediocrity. They only play festivals now, almost exclusively in fact.
ReplyDeleteThey will never tour again, basicaly because hardly anyone gives a fuck anymore. I am starting to suspect this is the real reason there is not and likely never will be a proper new album, because they'll end up humiliated by how few copies it would sell. 4:14 Scream is the perfect get-out clause (and Robert ALWAYS has one) in that when it sells abysmally he'll just say 'Oh we knew it would because it's old".
It's tragic to see them stuck in some rut of doing festivals and playing to tens of thousands of teens who neither know nor care who the fuck they are. I'll try to say this politely too, but they barely look any younger than the Rolling Stones up there. It should not matter but to a festival crowd it does. They look like shit, let's be true to ourselves.
The question I have wondered for 6 years since their last (and now I mean actual LAST) album has been, where do they go from here?
I'm not asking that anymore. Now I'm just wondering how long Robert is going to drag this shit out for?
I could genuinely cry, because I really really want The Cure to be what they used to be. But they aren't. They are boring, they are safe, they play to mannequins who are not listening, they have no audience, no purpose, there is no need for this 'version' of The Cure in this world.
This is going a on the extreme end. Sorry they make you feel this way. I at least understand they are under no obligation to do as I wish. Of course I wish for The Cure of the past, but as long as we still get those Trilogy shows and maybe Reflections on DVD/Blu-Ray finally, I will be happy.
DeleteThis is hogwash, love the because you love them, don't hate them because you love them. I was at this show, my 12th to date, yes it was a greatest hits set list, but they were fantastic, as always. I saw the Honolulu show last year also...solo Cute show. The set list wasn't much different, but nonetheless is was fantastic, as always. Cheers
DeleteOF COURSE they are going to play mostly the greatest hits at festivals and regular shows. That's all most of the crowd will know, so it is appropriate for the audience. All you have to do at the concert is turn around and watch the crowd and you can see how people are responding to the hits vs. more obscure songs. Try it. However, I also think the setlist will evolve from Toronto to Chicago to Denver as they will probably get together between shows. Note that ACL on 5 Oct. was a pretty standard set list, but by the second show on 12 Oct., they added Stop Dead and Give Me It (neither considered greatest hits) and also Hot Hot Hot, A Night Like This, and Push which are nice choices. And those of us lucky enough to hit El Paso got Torture, Birdmad Girl, Stop Dead, Push, Treasure, Baby Screams, Sinking, etc. Things will happen between Toronto and Denver, maybe only a bit of a change, but change it will. As for festivals in general, there seem to be a lot more of them to choose from these days, and they are a very low financial risk for bands, so that is probably why the Cure are festival heavy lately. I am sure the festival appearances will slow down or stop soon, and they will probably come out with something new at that point. If it takes 6, 8 or 10 years for the creative process to come to fruition, so be it. It's not like they are selling insurance or bankers or something. These things take time.
ReplyDelete"All you have to do at the concert is turn around and watch the crowd and you can see how people are responding to the hits".
DeleteI did at Leeds just a couple of years ago, where they played basically this set. The crowd were bored, talking, gooning around, wandering off, not applauding between songs.
I don't really understand the thinking behind what they (The Cure) are doing. I don't recall another band not having a record out for so long and being on some perpetual festival-circuit.
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DeleteCrimson, The Sisters Of Mercy come to mind. ;)
DeleteNot as headliners though, well at least not at big festivals.
DeleteI think the only exciting thing that could come out of this is if Robert seeks Lanois' help and records something in the spirit of Le Noise....
ReplyDeleteNo press at the show? Im dying for news over here. I thought RS would clear things up.
ReplyDeleteWich song is playing Before Shake Dog Shake?
ReplyDeletethere's nothing worse than going to a large show and seeing half the crowd bored as they don't know the songs.
ReplyDeleteuntil the cure decide to do their own shows these set lists are going to be the standard & they work.
i'd rather hear siamese twins, sinking, bloodflowers, it's over etc etc but....
Well, the problem is: a great artist cannot play safe forever. Maybe it's time to decide what to do. It's not a reunion act, they still THE CURE. If they dont want to play new songs..it's ok. But normally, if you dont have anything new to say, well.. it's over. Every year since 2008 they go out and play the same thing, it's boring. I respect them..I LOVE them, it's my favourite band EVER. but these shows does not make any sense anymore honestly.
ReplyDeleteIt's not ALWAYS the same thing. Voodoo Experience 2013 got 'Burn', which I honestly thought that the band would never play live, and they did 'Harold & Joe' for the second and third times and '2 Late' the first and second times at the Teenage Cancer Trust shows this year.
DeleteOn a different note, almost all of the big bands in the industry, from all genres ( Iron Maiden, through U2, through Rolling Stones, through ...I don't know ...Julio Iglesias:) they all have their sets with 90 % of their oldies-goldies, even when they tour their newest albums. I guess, our frustration comes from the highest standards that The Cure had set for themselves. But hey! Even the greatest artists HAVE the right to have a "creative or (publishing for that matter) sabbatical". Trust Robert, please. If one would get bored the most with those songs, it would be him. He gets to sing them aaaaaal the time, right ? So, I believe he will not disappont himself, Mary, the other band members and...yes...us...Just wish him well and be patient :) Cheers...
ReplyDeleteI CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE DENVER SHOW!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting so much info from Toronto!! xoxox
i am not reading any of this because it's a week until denver and i am losing my ever-loving mind! inside i am SHRIEKING. see all you groovy people there. x
ReplyDelete