Help with the Christmas shows?

If anyone can help me with the reports from the 2 Christmas Compendium of Reason shows and/or the 3 London Cure shows, please let me know. Mainly looking for the live setlist reports, but all reports are appreciated. Updates via Twitter, email, Facebook, or WhatsApp would be best, but can do whatever works best for you. Thanks!

Richard Bellia photo exhibit in France

From Richard Bellia on Facebook: "Du 8 janvier au 6 février 2015. Exposition à Rouen. Voici le visuel. Une affiche va être éditée."

Photo exhibit in Rouen, France from Jan. 8th - Feb. 6th. (Thanks @guillaume_g_z)

Update (12/18/14): Richard has added 4 photos of Porl Thompson to his Facebook page.

Cure playing Christmas Compendium Of Reason!

The Cure are one of the surprise guests at Professor Brian Cox's Christmas Compendium Of Reason on Dec. 18th & 19th at the Eventim Apollo in London. Get tickets here.
Doors 6pm / Show Starts 7pm
All Profitable proceeds go to the MSF and Sophie Lancaster Foundation. (Thanks @GigiBurgdorf)

Update: They are playing both nights, 18th & 19th. From the official site - "The Cure will be performing a small clutch* of 'Happy Hits' at 'Brian and Robins Christmas Compendium of Reason' on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th December - Two great nights of science, music, comedy and wonder, including charm quarks, strange quarks and confusion, plus Very Special Guests - A few tickets still remain - Medecins Sans Frontieres will benefit - So please get them HERE and NOW!

*How many in a clutch? We think around 3 or so... never quite sure until we count though... and in the act of counting..."

Few tickets left for Thursday 18th Hammersmith show - so - playing 'happy songs' - one of our bands is … The Cure http://t.co/azLXghD7Ev
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) December 12, 2014

"Thirty Three and a Third and a Third" art show

Dave Quiggle

From Gallery 1988:
"Our next show, "Thirty Three and a Third and a Third," opens at G1988 (East) and is curated by artist Dana Lechtenberg. It opens THIS FRIDAY, December 5th, and you don't want to miss it. Over 100 illustrators and designers reinterpret existing classic album covers in their own styles. This is the 3rd annual show, but the first at G1988.

Some incredible artists will be participating, and we'll be giving out an artist list as the show gets closer. ALSO, Donut Friend will be providing special donuts at the reception, which runs 7-10 PM.

Gallery1988 (East)
7021 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Here are a few images from the show, and stay tuned this week for more sneak previews..."

Dave confirmed on Instagram that it's an edition of 50. On sale Friday at the gallery, then if there any left, they should go on sale Saturday on the Gallery 1988 website.

Update (12-06-14): On sale now for $20 here. There's also a 'Boys Don't Cry' painting by Dan Christofferson for $275 here. You can also buy it straight from Dave here. (Thanks John)

The Cureheads Gothgasm 2015

More 'Beautiful Noise' screenings

Dec. 10th, 2014 - Perth, Australia
Dec. 14th, 2014 - Santiago, Chile (In Edit)
Jan, 31, 2015 - Melbourne, Australia

And great news for those of us who supported the project on Kickstarter, email received last night says the DVD/Blu-rays will shipping soon. And it looks like there will be a limited general release as well. Will post ordering info as soon as details are released.

'Art of McCartney' special on Sky Arts 1

"For UK Sky subscribers, there is a show 'The Art of McCartney' available on catch-up from Sky Arts 1 (not sure if Virgin, BT etc carry this channel).

There's a little bit about The Cure, literally a minute or so, with Ralph Sall (the album's producer) talking about the band's contribution and showing clips from the Hello Goodbye video.

There really isn't much information sadly, many of the other artists actually appear themselves discussing their song. Basically Sall said he called Robert himself to ask them to take part, that. Robert is a huge and very knowledgeable Beatles fan and Robert chose Hello Goodbye himself.

May be worth a watch for anyone interested in the other songs." (Thanks Dave Ace)

New interview with Reeves

From Trebuchet:

The Cure have been recording for well over 30 years. Have you learnt the entire back catalogue?

No, I had two weeks to learn 54 songs when I started playing with them in 2012. That was just going to be for the summer because they had become a four piece at that point. Then at some point they asked me if I wanted to join and I said, “Are you kidding?!” I think we’re up to 100 songs now but we do have a habit of playing festivals that force us to only play for two and a half hours. I don’t think that promoters know what to make of a band that’s trying to push for more time. Mexico City last year we did four hours and twenty minutes and we still didn’t play everything. The next newest member of the band has been there for 19 years so I’m trying to catch up and they enjoy watching me squirm. I have a thick binder where I chart everything out in case something gets called in rehearsal.

So to what extent are you allowed to put your own spin on it or are you playing it faithfully to the original versions?

Well with a band that has that many hits, The Cure makes The Cure style music and you have to think of it from the fans’ point of view. To me it seems obvious which parts of a song need to be played true to the original but you also want to breathe new life into it; you don’t want it to be a greatest hits thing even though it is a greatest hits catalogue. About half the set I’m sticking to the parts and then maybe a quarter of it I’m embellishing it and trying to keep it fresh and then the other quarter of the material, Robert trusts me to know what to do. You have to leave your ego out of it and do the right thing. But also what I enjoy is when I feel the band go “ooh” because I’ve found a new spot on the back of their neck to give them some goose bumps. When I look back, I think one of the reasons why people have asked me to play their songs is because I seem to be able to bring a little bit of the unexpected and make it a little bit dangerous, or make it surprising but still not ruin it for the fans. Although I’m sure a bunch of people who came to see Tin Machine would feel otherwise! But then that was all original material; it was all stuff we wrote together. 

Are there any plans for you to write some new material with The Cure?

Things like that with The Cure, there are always plans to do stuff but that question is for Robert to answer. I know the fans always think it’s the last time but I don’t think they have to worry. It’s alive and well, it’s just not my place to talk about those things. Robert likes to; it’s his band. I don’t want to be “that guy” (laughs).

'The Art of McCartney' is out today

'The Art of McCartney', The tribute album to Paul McCartney, is out today and features The Cure's cover of The Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' and Robert Smith's cover of Wings' 'C Moon' (Amazon exclusive in the US).

Personally, I love Robert's cover of 'C Moon'. Wonderful! Much better than the 'Hello Goodbye' cover. For those of you who say you can't buy it in your country, here it is on YouTube. But if you like it, and can buy it, please do so. Don't steal it. Support Robert and The Cure!

Credits for 'C Moon' - Robert Smith: Producer, Robert Smith: Voice and all instruments, The Bunny Lake Experience: Other Voices, Recording Engineer: Robert Smith, Assistant Engineer: Bunny Lake, Mixer: Robert Smith. Recorded at Robert Smith's home. Mixed at Robert Smith's home. Words and music by Paul McCartney & Linda McCartney. (Thanks Tina)

Pearl's 'Spheres' on '2 Unite All' benefit album

Pearl Thompson (with Finbar O’Hanlon) have contributed their song, 'Spheres', to the '2 Unite All' benefit album, which is out now. (Thanks Justin)

The videos of The Cure & Tim Pope

This article is old (from Feb. of this year), but Tim Pope tweeted about it a couple of days ago, and was the first time I'd seen it.

We Couldn't Get Closer Than This: The videos of The Cure & Tim Pope.

The Smiths vs The Cure Dec. 12th in London

Dec. 12th, 2014
Hackney Attic
London
Facebook event page
(Thanks Sam)

AATT on how The Cure shows came about

From And Also The Trees on Facebook:

"Hello everyone, Many thanks for all of the comments recently. Lots of people have been asking how the shows with The Cure came about…

Robert (Smith) has always been interested in our evolution and over the years he and Justin (Jones) have kept in touch. His encouragement and critiques have always been valuable to us. After writing to say how much he liked our most recent album 'Hunter not the Hunted' Justin sent a link to our live film 'Missing in Macon'. http://youtu.be/-iOivHqNgpQ
Robert liked it and asked if we'd be interested in playing together again sometime if a good occasion arose. We said we'd like to - and some months later he suggested the Hammersmith Apollo reunion. Simple."

London tickets on sale, extra show added!

Update (Nov. 10th, 2014): Tickets for all 3 nights are available again at the time I'm posting this. Sunday comes and goes, and there seems to be only a few tickets for Monday, but keep refreshing and you might get lucky.
All gone again, but keep checking each day, as more tickets are likely to be returned.

Tickets for the 2 shows at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo go on sale this morning at 8 am. Good luck!
Update: Third show added on Dec. 23rd! Tickets on sale now! 

Eventim and 0844 249 4300

Bookingsdirect and 0844 581

Ticket prices - £56.75 & £29.25 

Under 15s with an adult in seated only
Maximum Tickets is 4 tickets per household across all show dates (not per show), any customers who purchase more than 4 may have their additional orders cancelled.
Lead bookers names will appear on the ticket and lead bookers will need to provide matching ID on the evening of the performance to gain access to the venue.

Andy Vella at The British Library

The art of the 'Gothic' album sleeve
Conference Centre The British Library
96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB
Sun 9 Nov 2014, 11:45
Part of Cultures of the Dark Side: A Day of Gothic Music and Fashion

Prolific graphic artists Dave McKean, Vaughan Oliver and Andy Vella share a platform for the first time

A rare chance to hear from three of the world's most talented and prolific graphic artists, sharing a platform for the first time to discuss their work on album covers. Dave McKean has created over 150 stunning sleeves in his career - for bands such as Fear Factory, Front Line Assembly and Skinny Puppy – while Vaughan Oliver rose to fame through his otherworldly masterpieces for 4AD bands The Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil, Pixies and countless others. They are now joined by Andy Vella, whose well-known work with The Cure is featured in the new book Obscure.

The British Library has an enormous collection of sound recordings, including 240,000 vinyl LPs. Despite the advent of digital recording these vinyl discs and their equally fascinating covers retain the power to inspire those in the creative industries, from artists to film-makers, musicians and graphic designers. (Thanks Steven)

The art of the 'Gothic' album sleeve Where: Conference Centre
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
Show map      How to get to the Library When: Sun 9 Nov 2014, 11:45 Price:Free Enquiries: +44 (0)1937 546546
boxoffice@bl.uk - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/the-art-of-the-gothic-album-sleeve#sthash.hG32lE3f.dpuf

The art of the 'Gothic' album sleeve Where: Conference Centre
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
Show map      How to get to the Library When: Sun 9 Nov 2014, 11:45 Price:Free Enquiries: +44 (0)1937 546546
boxoffice@bl.uk - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/the-art-of-the-gothic-album-sleeve#sthash.hG32lE3f.dpuf

The art of the 'Gothic' album sleeve Where: Conference Centre
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
Show map      How to get to the Library When: Sun 9 Nov 2014, 11:45 Price:Free Enquiries: +44 (0)1937 546546
boxoffice@bl.uk - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/the-art-of-the-gothic-album-sleeve#sthash.hG32lE3f.dpuf

Pearl painted guitar in Warchild auction

Update (11/05/14): Reminder that the auction is on Sunday, Nov. 9th at 7 pm eastern.

Update (10/13/14): Some new photos.

Today's @bonhams1793 guitar comes from Pearl Thompson. Visit http://t.co/wAk7LcGoQu for more information. pic.twitter.com/d3auuWK9Ct
— War Child Canada (@WarChildCan) October 13, 2014

From Phaidon (Thanks @caIigari): There’s a fine art to the charity auction. Pairing a good cause with worthy goods and suitably talented contributors is no easy feat. Yet War Child USA appears to have pulled it off.

The philanthropic organisation, dedicated to helping children caught in regions of conflict, has taken 16 Canadian Carparelli guitars and had them customised by a series of famous names from the music, film and art worlds.

Sterling Ruby, Iggy Pop, Michael Stipe, Gus van Sant, Shepard Fairey, ex-Cure guitarist Pearl (formerly Porl) Thompson, Muse frontman Mat Bellamy, the artist Ginger Gilmour (ex-wife of Pink Floyd's Roger), Canadian painter Michael Adamson, and British artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson have all reworked an instrument.

Rumor: More festival shows next year?

From a journalist at Les Inrockuptibles:

Tiens tiens, The Cure jouera à quelques festivals l'été prochain... #thecure
— JD Beauvallet (@JDBeauvallet) November 7, 2014

"Well, well, The Cure will play some festivals next summer..."

Update (11/08/14): Now JD says that some festival offers have been made to the band, but they haven't answered yet. I'm sure I'm not the only one (horrible song) who hopes for an end to the festival circuit, and more real Cure shows next year (in cities other than London). (Thanks @guillaume_g_z)

Splintered in Her Head play Wellington, NZ

"Tomorrow night (Saturday 8 November) in Wellington, New Zealand, our band Splintered In Her Head perform the albums 'Seventeen Seconds', 'Faith' and 'Pornography' live at Bodega, with guests E/N/T and DJ Simon Sweetman, plus Cure costume prizes from our sponsors Slow Boat Records, Hunters and Collectors and Aro Video." (Thanks Michel)

Facebook event page

Rumor: '4:14' in November? Nope

Yeah, I know, here we go again. But this Spanish website has a release date of Nov. 30th, 2014 (a Sunday?) for '4:14 Scream'. I wouldn't put too much faith in this just yet. Now that the Riots are over, maybe we can get an update from Robert?
(Thanks @hispacure)

Update (11/06/14): And to no one's surprise, this was false. They've now changed the date to 2015. Yeah, still not believing it. If it said 2018, maybe. :)

The Cure play London on Dec. 21st, 22nd & 23rd!

Update (Nov. 7th, 2014): 3rd show added on Dec. 23rd!

From The Cure on Facebook (and now on the website, too):

The Cure return to Hammersmith Eventim Apollo for a clutch of Christmas concerts on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 December 2014.

The band will be performing a 150 minute show playing songs drawn from their entire 37 year old catalogue including deep cuts, pop songs, fan favourites and surprises galore...

Reprising the role they performed at the same venue 30 years ago each concert will also feature And Also The Trees as support.

These are 'Christmas Specials' not to be missed!!!

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 8AM FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Tickets (max 4 per household) available from:

Eventim Apollo: (no counter sales, phone and Internet bookings only)
www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 4300

Bookings Direct: www.bookingsdirect.com, 0844 581 4940

Articles about this: Slicing Up Eyeballs, Life4Ever, XFM, Clash, Gigwise, Digital Spy, NME