Countdown to Bestival

Rob da Bank's Countdown to Bestival video blog for NME - Part 1, 2, 3,

The Cure's set time will be from 9:30PM - 12AM, according to Rob da Bank on the Sunday Best forum. (Thanks lovecat)

Photo of Robert stage art posted by @RobdaBank on Twitter. And this - "i take it The Cure wont be playing Prayers For Rain this weekend @bestival"

Rob talks to Retford Trader & Guardian: “I’ve been after The Cure for seven years so I was delighted when they finally gave in,” he admits. “They’re going to be playing two and a half hours on the Saturday night so cant wait for that. You’re getting two of the best back catalogues of any artists I can think of with The Cure and Bjork - so many hits and classic tracks, and with Bjork a lot of theatre.” (Thanks David)

For those looking to buy or sell tickets, Bestival asks that you only use Ticket Trust.

Cure at Bestival on Q TV

In addition to coverage on SkyArts, Q TV (Sky 364 Virgin 33) will also have some Cure at Bestival highlights.
(Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Bestival main stage going up

Photo posted by @RobdaBank on Twitter. And a couple of other updates:

"Commonly asked qu's..programmes will be onsale @Bestival from thurs for 8 quid for laminate and prog...or buy the app from monday for times"

"no live stream but we will have a live photo gallery, daily videos and Bestival.fm streaming on www.bestival.net + Sky TV shows"

"Enter our Survey to win 3 pairs tickets to the 'sold out' Bestival!"

Here's the SkyArts tv Bestival page. (Thanks Lovecat)

10 Things You Never Knew About The Cure

Clash posted their 10 Things You Never Knew About The Cure feature. (Thanks Kate)

Robert talks with NME

"Probably worth noting that in the reviews section of the new issue of NME, Louis Pattison mentions that he's had a recent telephone interview with RS. This may appear in next weeks edition prior to Bestival." (Thanks John)

Update: Actually, it won't be for NME. Just asked Louis about this on Twitter and here's his reply:
louispattison - @CraigatCoF It'll be in the Guardian Guide, before Bestival. Not written it yet!

No show in Mexico this year, but maybe 2012

While it was never confirmed by any official source, just newspaper rumors, that Cure show in Guadalajara, Mexico is not happening this year: "I just spoke with a promotor last week and he told me it was scheduled for November of this year, but the guys changed the date to 2012." (Thanks Chris)

Mike Kinsella & friends form Cure cover band

Update: While a few details have changed since the original report, the show is still scheduled for Sept. 1st.

Friends or Enemies reports that Mike Kinsella and some of his friends from various bands are forming their own Cure cover band, and will be playing a show in Chicago, IL on Sept. 1st at Lincoln Hall, as a benefit for Girls Rock!
(Thanks AndytheCurefan)

The Cure Live in Paris 08 on German TV

The one hour tv edit of The Cure Live in Paris 2008 will air Aug. 31st on zdf.kultur at 7 pm. It will be repeated on Sept. 1st at 1:40 am & 8 am and again on Sept. 3rd at 4:20 pm.
(Thanks Bianca)

Update: 'Jumping Someone Else's Train' and 'Grinding Halt' were included in this version of the show, and it is now up on Dime. (Thanks Lovecat)

Paolo Sorrentino on using Robert's look

"Today (Aug. 24th) in France "This Must Be the Place" is out. I took this photo in Champs Elysées Paris. There are these photos in a lot of places in Paris." (Thanks Jupiterattraction)

Director Paolo Sorrentino talks to Le Figaro (English translation) about why he used Robert's "look" for his new film 'This Must Be the Place'. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Links to previous posts about the film can be found here.

Bestival mobile app / Main stage lineup

Bestival released a mobile app for iPhone and Android. It's £2.99 and you can get more info about it here. Also, here's the tentative lineup listed for the Main Stage on Sept. 10th:

The Cure / Rob Da Bank / PJ Harvey / Ross Allen / Crystal Castles / Grandmaster Flash / Paloma Faith / Jaguar Skills / Village People / Rev Milo Speedwagon / Katy B / MistaJam / Toots & The Mayals /
Bestival FM / Claire Maguire / Bestival FM / Mr Motivator / The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain.
(Thanks to kersh2099 for posting it on the Sunday Best forum)

Update: Festival site map here, and stewpotty's Google Maps version.

More from Robert's interview with Hot Press

Update: The scans are up now. Enjoy! And thank you so much, Keith!

Some key points from the Hot Press interview (if you'd like to buy a copy, it should be up for sale soon):

1. Talks again about wanting to work with Severin again and that The Glove would be top of his list of future collaborations!

2. He's looking forward to Bestival because they haven't played a proper Cure show in years. "its the longest we've ever gone" without a show. He hasn't decided what they're going to do or how they're going to do it.

3. He says it will kickstart them back into work again and into the second part of the album!!

4. He's not sure if the band wants to complete the follow up to 4:13 Dream. They're kinda avoiding discussing it!!

5. As the years go by the tours get shorter...so that's why they don't do dates in every country anymore. To keep the shows fresh he feels you have to reduce the amount of shows. Bands who flog themselves to death end up as imitations of themselves.

6. Two more collaborations done and will come out this year but he can't talk about either of them. (I'm guessing one of these is the track he did with James McCartney.)

7. However between now and this time next year The Cure will take precedence over anything else "Until I get the second half of this album out, I won't do another collaboration"
(Thanks Keith)

Robert interview in Hot Press

"Robert Smith talks new Cure album in the new issue of Hot Press

Not too long ago, Robert Smith was telling Hot Press of his love for the late Phil Lynott and in the upcoming issue, we've got the Godfather of Goth Rock once again, this time waxing lyrical on singer-songwriter John Martyn and a whole host of other subjects.

High on the agenda is the forthcoming Cure album, which will be their first since 2008's 4:13 Dream. Cureheads everywhere will be happy to hear that no new collaborations will be getting in the way of its completion.

"I think between now and this time next year The Cure will take precedence over anything else" says Smith.

Elsewhere, Roisin Dwyer has a cosy chat with the not-so-glum-at-all Smith about the Cure-In-Chief's contribution to the new John Martyn tribute album, his relationship with Derry's Japanese Popstars, and why Irish fans didn't get to see his band in 2007.

It's all in the new issue of Hot Press, on shelves now."

Cure party in Sweden

August 27 - Retro, Norra Skolgatan 24, Malmo, Sweden
22:00 - 03:00
dj johan & alex
(Thanks Coco)

Something special at Bestival?

Completely missed this earlier today:
RobdaBank - So @Bestival is now well n truly sold out..thanks so much for ya support if ur coming. saw a v exciting email from robert smith last night :) (Thanks Aaron)

Robert on Thin Lizzy

The Cure - Don't Believe A Word (Thin Lizzy cover) by CoF / Video

From Hot Press: When chatting to The Cure’s Robert Smith about his involvement in the John Martyn tribute album HP were delighted to discover the goth legend is a huge Thin Lizzy fan.

In advance of what would be his 62nd birthday on Saturday it is a timely reminder of the breadth of Phil Lynott’s appeal and his enduring legacy.

“I’ve got every single one of their albums on vinyl,” Smith proclaims. “I saw Thin Lizzy in the Brighton Dome in 1976 and it that was one of my all-time favourite concerts. It was just genius…. Phil Lynott with his mirror bass picking girls out. I loved Thin Lizzy.”

“There are two ways of looking at them, one is the classic line-up and the two guitars and the rock side of it and the other is the softer ballad side. People tend to overlook the best part of Thin Lizzy which is songs like ‘Still In Love With You’, that section of their catalogue is genius. The softer gentler songs and the early traditional stuff is brilliant.” (Thanks Keith)

Bestival officially sold out

Bestival tickets started arriving last week in the UK (thanks to Perfect.Murder and David for the scans), and according to the Bestival newsletter, they are expecting it to sell out by the end of the week. So if you don't have tickets yet, get them now.

Update: Officially sold out this morning. And this from Bestival - Please use thetickettrust.com for ALL your Bestival ticket buying and re-selling needs. The ONLY place we recommend you use! thanks x

Update 2: RogerODonnell - Bestival sold out! and just as I was thinking I might go and watch me old mates play! Oh well you will have to tell me how good it was!

West Memphis 3 update

Update (Aug. 19th, 2011): As many of you know, Robert has been a supporter of the West Memphis 3, and has even helped raise money for their defense ("this grotesque miscarriage of justice has dragged on for 17 years too long.” - Robert Smith). Well, there have been some major developments in the case, and word is that they might be released today. Some reports from Reuters , the Commercial Appeal, Arkansas Times and Arkansas Online. Also check this Deadline Hollywood story about the behind-the-scenes financial & legal support that Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh have been providing them, through the years. (Thanks Stefan and RTA)

Update 2: wm3org - THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE ARE FREE! bit.ly/nUKYJ

Original Story (Nov. 6th, 2010): Looks like the $2,250 that Robert raised for the West Memphis 3, by donating an autographed copy of the new 'Disintegration' vinyl for auction, will be needed, as a new hearing has been granted for them.

Cure party in Perth, Australia

Aug. 21st - The Loft at Geisha Bar, 135A James St, Northbridge, PERTH AU. Brad/Explodingboy will be DJing. (Thanks Brad and Jo)

John Martyn tribute update

Update: Robert's track is now available at Amazon UK & iTunes UK for £0.79. Unfortunately, it looks like Amazon US is making it an "Album Only" track, but you can get it from iTunes US for $0.99.


Set includes 2 CDs, a DVD (no Robert interview or performance), and a 40 page booklet (see Robert's page here). (Thanks Chris)

Robert Smith - Small Hours (BBC 6 Music) by CoF (Thanks Aaron)
If you like the track, please buy it, or the album, when it's released on Aug. 15th/16th. Pre-order links - HMV and Amazon US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Japan.

“I first heard ‘Small Hours’ on the John Peel Show late in 1977 and fell instantly in love with it... ‘One World' very quickly became my favourite John Martyn album... And these beautiful songs were, are and always will be an inspiration and an enchantment.” - Robert Smith (from the press release)

Reviews: The Telegraph, The Morton Report, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Direct Current, RTE

Original story: Both NME and Timber & Steel have news on the John Martyn tribute CD, which includes Robert's cover of 'Small Hours'. The CD has been rescheduled for release on Aug. 15th in the UK and Aug. 16th in North America. Previous story here. (Thanks Lovecat)

Cure Bestival guitar contest

WIN A CURE GUITAR AT BESTIVAL
Bestival has teamed up with The Cure and Schecter to offer an exclusively designed guitar to three lucky winners. The guitar of choice for Robert Smith, these beauties have been specially pimped in honour of The Cure’s Bestival 2011 appearance and will be signed by the man himself!

Robert Smith has told us: "The UltraCure limited edition Bestival Curetoon Schecter is the grooviest guitar in the world!"

While Rob da Bank commented: "This guitar is a work of art. Take Robert Smith's favourite guitar, Josie da Bank's ace psychedelic artwork and some fancy printing and this really will be a collectors item. I just wish i could play the guitar!"

And its makers Schecter Guitars say: “We are proud to partner with The Cure for this amazing event! These UltraCure guitars are adorned with special Curetoon/Bestival art which are destined to be a collector's item. The UltraCure, designed by Robert Smith has been his main guitar for both the stage and studio for the past 5 years!”

Robert Smith will draw three names 'out of a hat' backstage just prior to The Cure's Saturday night headline performance, and the Curetoon Schecter guitars will be shipped to the winners once Bestival 2011 has ended.

To win, simply text ‘Cure Guitar’ followed by the answer A, B or C to 70099. What time do The Cure dream?
A) Midnight
B) Noon
C) 4:13

Texts will cost £2, you can enter as many times as you like and best of all, the dosh will be donated to the charity lovecats of Ataxia UK, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and St Catherine's on the Isle of Wight.