THE CULT // EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON
‘The Cult’, 30 years on, still hit the right notes with ‘Sonic Temples’ guitar hero classics!
THE CULT PERFORMING AT EVENTIM APOLLO LONDON - 27.10.2019
PICTURE BY: | MICHAEL HUNDERTMARK PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★★ (5/5)
It’s nice to see that The Cult can still pull the crowds with Hammersmith being the hide of activity with ‘old skool’ clad rockers, wearing Sonic temple t-shirts as well as the younger fans gathering in the pubs and bars in close proximity to ‘The Eventim Apollo’, complete with the usual ticket touts give shout out for tickets to sell in a cockney accent!
The Cult originally formed in 1983 by lead singer ‘Ian Astbury’ and ‘Billy Duffy’ previously known as Southern Death Cult in Bradford. They exploded in to the post punk Rock scene with singles such as ‘Love Removal Machine’ and ‘Fire Woman’ They biggest breakthrough was in the states in the mid 1980’s with their heavy Metal sounds. With a vast discovery behind the band tonight’s loyal and hard-core fan base were in for a treat.
With two support bands The Last Internationale and Brighton’s home-grown ‘Yonaka’ were on hand to liven up ‘The Apollo’ with some screaming punk Rock based sounds.
The Last Internationale are a New York based Heavy Blues-rock trio who are known for socially conscious lyrics and with a strong live performance and tonight’s explosive stage set. They certainly made a new fans base, as The Eventim Apollo was already filling up to breaking point with an evermore stream of new arrival fan entrances!
Brighton’s ‘Yonaka’ going from strength to strength, just realised they debut album ‘Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow’ are just about to hit the road with a headline. Already selling out many of their planned UK dates, one can see the attraction to the band, as lead singer ‘Theresa Jarvis’ just takes control the stage to entice the crowds and manages to throw her weight along the full length stage with her soaring vocals. The Eventim Apollo, probably the bands largest played venue to date play ‘Punch Bag’, went down a storm on their previous headline shows across the country.
As guitar Cult Hero Billy Duffy and singer Ian Astbury embrace an entrance on stage, the crowds erupt with screams and cheers to the base line to ‘Sun King’
Judging by tonight’s sold out, over-subscribed ‘Apollo’, everyone crammed in like sardines the band have still so much have a loyal fan base and can hold a psychedelic rock concert as they did back in the day, with one surprise twist in the form of a full sting quartet on stage!
Tonight they play an extensive set from Sonic Temple and extended ‘Soul Asylum’ which had not been played since the album’s original outing dates.
Ian Astbury is good humour, as he address the punters, nearly forgetting where he was, f*** I just thought we were in Brixton, but no this is Hammersmith, how’s everyone doing……” His shades remain on for the duration of the show with some impressive back heal kicks and a tambourine at one point!
Billy Duffy is still the same figure he was nearly 30 years, effortlessly playing the guitar, kicking up a notch with his distinctive ‘windmilling’ as the mosh pit kicks off below him to the song ‘Rain’.
The enviable encore arrives far too early with, ‘She Sells Sanctuary’, and tonight one leaves energised and The Cult really showed off the power of their live performance and the audience certainly adored every moment.
SETLIST: | THE CULT : EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON - 27.10.2019
· Sun King
· Wildflower
· Automatic Blues
· American Horse
· Sweet Soul Sister
· New York City
· Edie
· Soul Asylum
· Rain
· Spiritwalker
· The Phoenix
· Rise
· American Gothic
· Firewoman
· Love Removal Machine
Encore:
· Lil, Devil
· She Sells Sanctuary