Doors at 6 (standing), 6:10 (seated)
Twilight Sad at 7 - 7:41 / The Cure 8:12 - 10:50
US start times for The Cure are 3 PM Eastern, 2 PM Central, 1 PM Mountain, and Noon Pacific
Please arrive early for The Twilight Sad! They are excellent!
Setlist: Out of This World, Pictures of You, High, Lovesong, Just Like Heaven, A Night Like This, The Walk, Push, In Between Days, Three Imaginary Boys, Play for Today, Primary, Trust, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, Bloodflowers
1st encore: 39, Burn, A Forest
2nd encore: Step Into the Light, Fascination Street, Never Enough, Wrong Number
3rd encore: The Lovecats, Lullaby, Hot Hot Hot, Friday I'm in Love, Boys Don't Cry, Close to Me, Why Can't I Be You?, 10:15 Saturday Night, Killing An Arab
Robert's "Manchester comment" before Lovecats: "It's got nothing to do with a curfew, it's got nothing to do with my throat ...it has everything to do with whether an audience likes you".
Thanks, Snuffybear.
Reviews: Financial Times / NME / The Upcoming
Photos: Jose / Getty Images
Videos: Out of This World / Pictures of You 1 - 2 / Just Like Heaven 1 - 2 / A Night Like This / Push / Three Imaginary Boys / Primary / Trust 1 - 2 / Bloodflowers 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 / 39 / A Forest 1 - 2 / Step Into the Light 1 - 2 / Fascination Street 1 - 2 (12 camera views at once) / The Lovecats 1 - 2 / Lullaby 1 - 2 / Friday I'm in Love / Boys Don't Cry 1 - 2 / 10:15 Saturday Night 1 - 2 / 10:15 Saturday Night & Killing An Arab 1 - 2 - 3 / Killing An Arab 1 - 2
Periscope: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 (the "Manchester comment" at 16:30)
Facebook Live Stream: Pink Dream (or Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here)
Twilight Sad setlist: Reflection of the Television, Last January, Drown So I Can Watch, Alphabet, Mapped by What Surrounded Them, It Never Was the Same, There's a Girl in the Corner, And She Would Darken the Memory
Videos: Last January
Twilight Sad Periscope: Snuffybear
Facebook Live Stream: Pink Dream
Thank you to
Can i speak to someone who knows what the fuck is going on and why the world is...... pic.twitter.com/QLzrO04mxn— perfect.murder (@jchristophem67) December 1, 2016
"Hello? Hello, can I speak with someone who can tell me what the fuck is going on? Why the world is...?"
London! Tonight we support @thecure at Wembley Arena. We're onstage at 7pm. pic.twitter.com/VltbXnOKAZ— the twilight sad (@thetwilightsad) December 1, 2016
Does anyone else feel a little sad that these are the last 3 shows?
ReplyDeleteI've been a fan since I was 9... I've gone to every Chicago show starting with The Vic on February 25th 2000. I've collected all of their albums (2, 3, 4 times over for some). I've written stories and songs and even named my own (short lived) band after a song lyric.
2016 was an odd year (starting Nov. 2015 for me) – in fact it was probably the worst year ever on record in all sorts of areas. So as these last 3 nights move us toward 2017, I will never be more grateful to The Cure, Robert, and every single band member for how deliriously happy they have made me and how I have personally been able to overcome my own obstacles and my own depression through their music, their words, them.
I am rather sad that the Cure have not released any new material since 2008. But tour??Well, I am certain they would go on another one. This tour was definitely good from many perspectives. However, what upsets me, it is obvious they were putting better setlists in Northern America compared to Europe. By "better" I mean, they were playing more of the rarities/b-sides and new songs in US. Looks like Europe in band's eyes is predominantly greatest hits territory.
DeleteI think it might be due to having a larger market of fans (I hate to say that) in North America than Europe. I know he has said The Cure is a very English band, but that their fans are more abroad... I might be quoting it wrong. Or perhaps it is because they have been seen more in North America the last few years and less in Europe, so they stick to the hits in the countries that do not see them as often. I really don't know.
DeleteAlthough I've surprised myself by posting more today here than I have all year. I think I am finally feeling it.
I don't think it was anything to do with geography. The Prayer tour was the opposite, with the US being the second part of the tour, and getting the safer, more pop orientated sets. They seem to have started this tour with the best intentions of really mixing things up, but this had already began to be all about the safer, more pop sets by the end of the US dates. Tonight and tomorrow should be interesting. As should work today, as I am shattered after this week.
DeleteI've been to every Seattle show in the last 20 years...which is none. But still, I went. Tickets were cheap!
DeleteThe set lists in Europe did shock me, I was one of those deluded folks who thought some of the heavier material was due for an airing, the atmosphere and whatever, but I was completely wrong. N.A. regularly got the Pornography material, Drowning Man, even Same Deep Water and Other Voices a few times. None of that in Europe...until tonight, but only for one. I'm gonna give up guessing, and second-guessing is even more futile. I'm OK with the line-up at long last and they're playing really well. I hope the live album that Tim Pope hinted at materializes and soon!
DeleteOne more time before it's over.......
ReplyDeleteOne more time before the end...
DeleteI don't want to become one of these ungrateful cynics - I enjoyed the Manc gig - and will undoubtedly enjoy Wembley II and III .. yet for all the quotes of Robert saying that they NEED to play hits to festival crowds .. these are Cure gigs .. dip into that back catalogue .. I'm desperate for Twilight Garden .. and my odds aren't too good (and - No - I don't miss the Lovecats being retired!)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI am truely thankful myself for seeing my favourite band twice this year, I felt like I should have gone to much more shows, because I have a feeling of this will be my last real opportunity. They are my favourite band since 1990. I missed the tour 1996, stupid me, but I was fortunate to hear drowning man in 2005, one of my favourites and standing in fourth row during Trilogy. I wish that they played sinking, my favourite song, but they spared it and I was granted with kyoto song and piggy in the mirror. When I her the Cure it feels like home - Heimat as we say in Germany. I feel uplifted, secure, happy and deeply emotionalised. I still discover new treasures and learn new lyrics. Sorry for my bad english. I hope Bob recovers from his voice problems and I hope they continue being great musicians and friends. Thank younalso Craig for your commitment, your passion and love to all the fans.
ReplyDelete..before it's time to go again...
ReplyDeleteHe just said: it s got nothing to do with the voice. It has to do with what the audience is like.
ReplyDeleteLondon is the best show of the tour so far. Sorry manchester but as i said it was not a voice issue...
Where in the gig was this? So i can chase the exact quote .. that would be pretty vicious and a kick in the mouth if they quit early due to .. some perceived tedium of the audience reception (it takes 2 after all).
DeleteI was wholly in the camp of vox issues .. if he's being cynical.. I'll break my eyeliner pencil .. ;|
I don't recall him saying anything..
DeleteIt was at the start of the 3rd encore, before Lovecats.
DeleteSomething close to this: "it's nothing to do with favouritism..it's got nothing to do with my throat..it's about..whether an audience likes you".
Now whether that was actually about Manchester or not, only Robert really knows.
Interesting that he'd actually say it, but cutting the Gorge show last May short by playing ICNBTS followed by Boys Don't Cry and then walking off, it's pretty clear that was the case there too. That one REALLY hurt too, for a number of reasons.
DeleteUnfair of Robert to say that about the Manchester crowd I think, what a kick in the teeth!
ReplyDeleteTrue, I missed the BCN concert to fly to the UK and take my sister to her first Cure gig in Manchester. She loved it, and I loved hearing 'Sinking' and 'Burn' amongst other but stings a bit seeing the setlist tonight. Oh well, I've seen enough 3 hour + sets to not be too ungrateful.
DeleteIf he did say it, stupid thing to say. Seen them in Manchester 3 times way back in the past and the crowd were always great. If you ''don't like the band'' why would you shell out your hard earned cash to go and see them ?
DeleteCrowd in Manchester wasn't the problem...the band sounded bad on numerous songs. Deep Green Sea, 100 years, Give Me It to name but a few.
ReplyDeletePartially agree. Crowd was quite but sound was also inferior in Manchester compared to London. I was next to the stage on the left for both gigs and there was a world of difference in sound quality
DeleteTonight seemed far better than Manchester, I wish I'd had the money to go to London instead!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRobert left the stage looking apologetic holding is throat in Manc, saying "we'll be back" so his comments tonight throw up all sorts of questions...maybe he wasn't acting genuinely...
ReplyDeleteFirst ever cure gig. Fantastic! BTW I met a Welsh guy and an American girl, it would be good to stay in touch. I was the tallest guy in middle of standing area, jumping up and down quite a lot :-) so much fun!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteand ditto,it definitely appeared that 1015 and KAA weren't on the original set list, Robert added them on. I was ready to leave after WCIBY, what a treat!
Deleteit was a great show! you definitely had one of the best views in the house, and you didn't need to sleep outside on the sidewalk to get it! ;) dean and i would love to keep in touch - how do we find you? btw, they did play 100 years tonight (saturday)! ~kasey
DeleteHi Kasey. haha :-) I was momentarily gutted when I saw the set list for Friday especially, and when they didn't play 100 Years thurs, but hey, it was fkn fantastic! You went to all three right? You and dean were good dancers! My email is jprsoi@yahoo.co.uk. Rob
Deletei won't speak for dean, but i definitely wouldn't call myself a good dancer...but, ill dance none the less! :) btw, ive sent you an email!
DeleteAnd I sent you a reply :-)
DeleteThen why book Manchester and skip dublin.No Irish date at all on this tour. How many German .
ReplyDeleteI thought Glasgow finally deserved another gig. Crowds always go nuts there, but you can understand Manchester as it is central. I think I am still drunk waiting on the tube for work. Roll on tonight!
DeleteMaybe they were put off playing in Scotland after they had to cancel all the gigs up here in 1996.
DeleteA good point, but they easily could have cancelled Manchester then also.
DeleteThats true, I was at the gig in Manchester in 96 and I remember the arena being only about a third full or so. It was a great concert in 96 though!
DeleteMagnificent gig......so much better than manchester...
ReplyDeleteso ... what did he say tonight then ? ^
ReplyDelete.. the magic question.. if he took the piss.. then it's London only UK shows forevermore.
DeleteSomething close to this: "it's nothing to do with favouritism..it's got nothing to do with my throat..it's about..whether an audience likes you".
DeleteNow whether that was actually about Manchester or not, only Robert really knows.
Tonight was simply wonderful, too good to be true...but it was. We went to Manchester and I am convinced it was his throat and voice that cut things short there. The audience tonight was on fire though, so much affection for RS and it showed. 10.15 and KaA were gifts that made everyone feel treated. A proper Cure gig.
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't think RS would 'punish' an audience for not being 'loud' enough. The audience in Manchester were enthusiastic and many had travelled a long way to be there. RS was just not at his best that night, we all have off days
ReplyDeleteYou obviously were in a better place than me. I thought I was at a wake the crowd around me were so static! Tonight total opposite everyone who could stand up did, there was cheering, clapping dancing, the whole concert was amazing!
DeleteI went into tonight (my 26ish Cure gig) with an expectation of it being a bit tame, I was very wrong! Had a fabulous night, surrounded by people dancing and singing all the way through. The band seemed to be having fun and there was no sign the Robert was weak or ill that I could tell. It appeared that the last two songs were impromptu as the rest of the band looked to be heading off. My gutt on the comments he made were that it was a dis, could well of been tounge in cheek though, he's a smarter guy than to punish a crowd surely? Loved the twilight sad too although I think they could have been a bit louder. Ding ding.. round two.
ReplyDeleteLondon - Nothing from Pornography, so disapointed not to hear Simons driving baselines. How long is it since they played 10:15, I thought it was a making fairly regular appearances
ReplyDeleteI don't know for certain, but he did mention that they hadn't done it for a while, so that might mean not on this tour. I haven't been keeping up with the setlists though, so they might've played it
DeleteThey surely did not play these songs in 2016. It's been probably a couple of years of absence. They only could play them again in England. Home.
DeleteThis was the first time 10:15 and Arab were played on this tour.
DeleteLast time was 2014 at the Teenage Cancer Trust shows.
Wow - no 100 Years?!?
DeleteOw, that comment stings a bit... Of course, only RS knows what he meant but as a chap of few words on stage, I'd say that may well be more of a loaded comment rather than a throw-away line, especially at that point in the set.
ReplyDeleteI was at Manchester too, had a fantastic time but I was up in the tiered seats so couldn't really tell what the joy level of the standing area was. The folk around me were certainly going for it with enthusiasm, I thought one chap next to us was going to topped over the barrier at one point! It was a joy to hear Burn and Sinking, and Deep Green Sea, but I wish we'd heard Trust - my long-time favourite track.
Hey ho.
Was at the Manchester gig and I'm going to Wembley sat, if it was a dig at the crowd then I'm not very impressed with Robert, my most loved artist, to be honest. Fans make huge sacrifices in some cases getting to these concerts and deserve a little more respect than he is apparently showing. Getting to and from Manchester Arena was horrific. He didn't seem to mind the audience in Manchester at the end as he did his stage walk taking in the rapturous applause, and it was rapturous. They just didn't perform the songs very well, he sang half heartedly and that's the truth from a fan who's been to some of their best concerts. Whatever, Robert is entitled to his opinion, my opinion of The Cure right now is they're not doing enough creatively to justify said fans' reactions! This year has been nothing more than a nostalgia tour, that's the REAL disappointment about this whole thing, I'm begging for some creativity from my favourite band, instead we got a pop heavy tour with only a handful of post 1992 material songs which speaks volumes! Also no interviews and hardly any fan interaction is disappointing as well. I'm hoping for good things next year possibly a new album to get me excited about this great band once again.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it any better.
DeleteHe probably won't, but something on thecure.com from RS explaining Manchester would go a long way.
ReplyDeleteI'll say nothing more but, depending on 'The Truth', I could say quite a lot...
I have seen The Cure ten times since 1992 and my seat was not the greatest, I had lowish expectations because of reports of the seemingly troubled Manchester gig...but...WOW...that was the best I have ever seen them...a stunning concert. Primary was heavy and demented. Even 39 was good!I was overjoyed to hear OOTW, my favourite Cure song. KAA was blisteringly powerful...Jason killed it on every song. I am looking forward to Saturday and a standing ticket...
ReplyDeleteRoberts voice is still not 100% : he missed the high notes and long screams on FTEOTDGS, BF, WN, etc. (And also sang in WN "Hello? Can Anybody tell me what is wrong with my voice?")
ReplyDeleteFairly surprised about setlist complaints. 3 songs from Bloodflowers, Burn, and unplanned takes on 10.15/KAA at the end of the show. Get a grip! That's a fine setlist.
I thought it was the best Cure gig I've seen since the 2006 Cancer Trust one.
That's not what he said in Wrong Number. It was "Hello? Hello, can I speak with someone who can tell me what the fuck is going on? Why the world is...?"
DeleteSee the clip above.
Thats what it sounded like to me? Oh well.
DeleteThey played 10:15 and Killing to try and make up for what happened Tuesday. Still it is Never Enough. Would like to hear more from the darker albums. Yes, the comments RS made on stage were were a diss/jab. No question about it. In response to the jab I'd like to point out: why would anyone bother to spend time and money to attend a concert if they don't like the band? Especially those who came a million miles away to see them? Who stood in line for hours to be in the first few rows to see them up close? At this point I have no expectation that these last few shows will be phenomenal. He plays based on his mood and the mood right now is not exactly ebullient.Another thing: I always look around me to gauge the audience reaction and it was mostly positive in the first few rows in Manchester.
ReplyDeleteHe appears to be singling out a few at the expense of the whole arena.
I didn't really enjoy the Manchester show, I thought the vocals were tired sounding at times (Shake Dog Shake was sounded really lethargic for an opening song!) and the setlist was quite bland, but I did not get the impression that the crowd were bad, I heard people singing along and saw lots of people dancing so most people seemed to enjoy it. I did see a few glum looking fans after the gig though.
DeleteIf I were them I'd steer clear of Manchester and play the Midlands instead, we are far more hospitable 😘
ReplyDeleteGreat setlist in London #1. They were in a great mood. Of course someone can complain about it, but come on? One of my best cure gigs ever.
ReplyDeleteone of the finest cure concerts i've ever been to - it was fucking brilliant
ReplyDeletere Manchester I was there, without a shadow of doubt the sound was poor I was seated right at the back,(block 110) and most of the time it was more of a noise than music, dont know if it was the acoustics of the building poor mixing bad playing or a mixture of all 3. Robert vocals seemed to be spoken rather than sung on some songs. There is no bigger cure fan than myself and Ive seen them many times for the last 3 days I have felt really down the direness of it immeasurable. I dont know if I will ever see my heroes again if this was the last time I will be gutted. Very pleased for the people who attended London gig hope the next 2 are just as good.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Manchester show, I was seated at the very back of the arena, the sound quality was poor to say the least, Dont know if it was the acoustics bad mixing or poor playing or maybe a bit of all three. Roberts vocals were spoken rather than sung in a lot of songs. The music was more of a noise than a recognisable song, But all the people around me were enjoying the experience of seeing the best band in the world. There is no bigger cure fan than me but this show was a let down if I never see them again then this is not how I want to remember them. Im really pleased that the London show was a big hit and hope fri, sat , shows will be as good.
ReplyDeleteRe Manchester comment (again) i was also there and had been looking forward to the gig for a year. I travelled down on the train from Scotland (not a million miles away I know but have no choice as The Cure have not played in Scotland since the early 90s). After train travel, hotel stay, concert ticket etc. it was a fairly expensive over night stay in Manchester but I did not mind as I was so excited to see The Cure play again. For Robert to suggest that the whole crowd were not interested was just not true. People all around me, and myself included were all singing and dancing despite the previously mentioned issues with sound and Roberts voice. I fear that this will be the last time I see my favourite band who I have followed and seen live since the early 80s. Please Robert don’t think that genuine fans will turn up to gig with the intention of not enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThese comments from Robert, if meant in that way, are very ill judged. Getting to and from the venue was hard enough with the Manchester traffic and getting into the arena arguably worse with the incompetent are a staff. He's shown zero compassion here for 20k or so Cure fans and its left quite a sour taste...
ReplyDeleteThey weren't the best comments to make, for sure. I always have o travel to see The Cure at great expense, and I was looking forward to this gig all year. I thought the crowd were okay, but they apparently weren't good enough. The Cure definitely weren't good enough though, it was a poor show.
DeleteI think I feel I actually DO now want to comment on Manchester, and RS reads these comments, so I'll do it.
ReplyDeleteYour audience might be better engaged if you:
a) Actually engage with us yourself. Mumbling once at Primary, or otherwise only saying 'Q' is not engaging. Try gee-ing people up if they aren't responding to you. A huge % of the Manchester crowd won't ever have seen you before, they may be more used to watching bands who care they have an audience at all and talk to them.
b) Don't wait until 13 songs in before you play a song recorded in this century. Bear in mind this century started very nearly 17 years ago. See above...a huge amount of the crowd won't have known ANY or many of the songs in the main set. This much was completely borne out by the entire standing area being completely static the entire show before FIIL rang out. Try playing some hits, recent ones, FIRST. Engage your crowd.
c) Either bother doing a soundcheck or fire your sound guy/s, who seem incapable of adjusting the mix while you're playing. The sound was literally horrendous on many songs, one of the worst gigs for sound I've ever witnessed. And it ISN'T the venue, I've seen bands there with none of these issues. You may as well fire Reeves and split the cash four ways instead of five. WE CAN'T HEAR HIM !!!
In considering my comments, it really doesn't matter if RS was referencing Manchester, because my comments apply regardless. If he did think we were a shit audience though, then I hope he will be man enough to say as much, then explain what we (as the paying public) can do to help them want to play to us.
And yes I know RS lies to his audience. I will never forget or forgive the 'French blockade' lies of 1996. This had better not be me being cheated by RS a second time.
That reminded me of that ridiculous review they got after the RAH shows two years ago. Some journalist trying to give advice, to someone who's been doing it for forty years, on how to pace a show. In defense, you say play more 'recent' hits? Like what? What was their most recent 'hit'? Mint Car? High? Or do you mean Freakshow or The Only One? I'd be perfectly content to never hear either of those again. However many Cure shows you've attended, be it 1 or 100, are you really unfamiliar with RS' stage presence and/or presentation? You're lucky to get a word and who cares anyway?
DeleteAs a side note, I don't think the cash is actually split five ways, but that's really none of our business... :)
I was up for getting rid of Reeves for the first (nearly) four years he was in the band! Now his playing really does fit in well with the rest and I'm anxious to hear more. Seemed to me he was the proverbial 'square peg in a round hole', now his playing complements the others and he is helping to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts, which is what Porl used to do and why Porl was (and is) such an indispensable member of The Cure.
I haven't seen them since '92, despite near misses in 2007 and 2016, so I understand your frustration there. Even the show in 1992 was fairly short and fairly tame when compared to the shows later in the year. Still better than no show at all.
I fully agree that journalist's RAH comments were utter bollocks. But the difference is, they got in for free while I paid for my Manchester ticket.
DeleteI'm wary of saying too much I guess, but it does sting if RS was dissing the Manchester crowd.
We had all PAID to be there. If we want to sit in silence and not even applaud once that is our choice, the band still have to play for us, we're PAYING them too.
He can easily say the crowd wasn't enthusiastic. I can easily say him screwing up his guitar lines on 100 Years wasn't enthusiastic.
Where does it end...can I have a refund for all the songs they made mistakes on or where the sound guy went to sleep?
I totally agree w/Craig. And anyway who wants to pay good money to hear him stand up there and talk. I came to see music, not listen to him tell stories.
DeleteI agree with Crimson Tonight, especially part A above. Even if the audience was stagnant it is no reason to cut the show short by almost a third.
DeletePeople paid good money to see them and they were shortchanged, at least by Cure standards. And we do want to hear him talk, not for the whole show of course but some of the comments between songs are quite interesting. BTW, Just noticed the user name above is Charlotte Sometimes spelled backwards.
kinda agreeing now , if those comments arte true and directed at the crowd in manc its a fucking joke ..one thing ive always liked about the cure is there non diva attitudes but this just makes him sound like a right cunt. ive gone from not really minding too much the short set to feeling like selling my Wembley tickets
ReplyDeleteAgree with Crimson Tonight regarding the sound quality at Manchester arena. I saw Roger Waters The Wall there a few years ago and the sound was fantastic so can't blame the venue.
ReplyDeleteThis was simultaneously the worst and the most expensive show I ever attended. Factoring the cost of airfare from the US west coast, concert tickets, train tickets, ground transportation, hotels, etc. it's easily four figures. I will need to seriously rethink attending any more Cure gigs in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe sound in Manchester was nowhere near as good as Wembley. Everything was reverberating from the back of the hall so there was an annoying and constant echo. However, it didn't stop me having a marvellous time enjoying my favourite band and dancing about like a moron! An experience is often what you make it and I was darn well going to get my money's worth and have a blast.
ReplyDeleteThe controversial Lovecats comment...it's not what I heard him say, but if the above quotes are right at least RS is happy with my reception 50% of the time on this tour - could be a lot worse!