THE CURE // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
THE CURE BRING THEIR ‘LOST ALONE: WORLD TOUR’ TO GLASGOW’S
OVO HYDRO
★★★★★ (5/5)
THE CURE // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW - 04.12.2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
The Cure is an English rock band that represents musical survivors; managing to outwit, outplay and outlast those who have tried to complete with them. They are a rarity for this and for many other reasons. Their non-conformist attitude sets them apart from, well, everything. A band driven by inspiration not numbers – not to say they didn’t have plenty of both – they reached worldwide success and have kept the flame burning for over four decades.
After a long and notorious career, many line-up changes, controversies and smash hits have resulted in The Cure’s reputation as a band that has become eternal. Like Jimi Hendrix, The Cure’s early work transcends its era and their new shows their evolution. Their current tour is to support the upcoming album ‘Songs of a Lost World,’ an album likely to be released in early 2023.
Taking to Glasgow Hydro arena,With support from the Twilight Sad, The Cure kicked off with new track ‘Alone’ and shortly played another new one ‘And Nothing is Forever.’ The new album is certainly dark, gothic and raw. They finished set with the new track ‘Endsong’ and there was a wide-eyed bewilderedness that filled audience as they took in these black heart filled rhythms.
With two incredible encores, this was where the night really came alive. When they first returned to the stage, Robert Smith opened up to the audience. Smith soothed a silky charm as he chatted to the fans. He spoke to the crowd about his late brother who inspired the track ‘I Never Can Say Goodbye.’ He came across with a shy humility that suggests speeches are not in his comfort zone and it’s obviously he would rather get on with the performance, however, the fact he choose to speak about such a poignant song brought on a powerful connection.
The also played the track ‘One Hundred Years’ and the backdrop turned to scrolling, black and white pictures of war. The devastating images immersed attendee in the visceral message of the song. Smith appeared to feel the emotions of the song too as tears were falling by the end of the song and he said ‘It’s really hard being on stage when I start crying.’ As the fans cried with him, it’s all too clear that his emotional craft is a plentiful feast.
They finished the first encore with the moody ‘A Forest.’ This magnificent track rippled a wired energy across the crowd. The sailed in their final present for the night – a second encore featuring some of the most played tracks from way back when. Firing through hit after hit, including ‘Close to Me,’ ‘The Lullaby’ and finishing with ‘Boys Don’t Cry,’ The Cure had the arena eating out of their hands. Except for feeling a bit rushed, the ending was the grand finale the epic night had been waiting for.
The Cure have shown they are still the masters they were all those years ago. Though the well over two hour set was demanding for everyone involved, it was a glorious triumph that left attendees elated, moved and grateful. The new album’s release should be greatly anticipated.
REVIEW BY: KATRIN LAMONT
PHOTOS BY: CALUM BUCHAN
SETLIST:
OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
ALONE
PICTURES OF YOU
A NIGHT LIKE THIS
LOVESONG
AND NOTHING IS FOREVER
THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER
WANT
A FRAGILE THING
COLD
BURN
AT NIGHT
A STRANGE DAY
PUSH
PLAY FOR TODAY
SHAKE DOG SHAKE
FROM THE EDGE OF THE DEEP GREEN SEA
ENDSONG
ENCORE:
I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE
FAITH
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
A FOREST
ENCORE 2:
LULLABY
THE WALK
FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE
CLOSE TO ME
IN BETWEEN DAYS
JUST LIKE HEAVEN
BOYS DON’T CRY