Cure - Old Billingsgate Market, London, 17/9/20

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 6 / 10 / 2004

intro

The Cure recently played what was only their third UK show of the year for a MTV programme in front of a specially invited audience. Long-term fan Amthony Strutt watches them play at stunning 90 minute set

The Cure have had a busy year and have released both a new album, ‘The Cure’, and also a four CD box set, 'Join the Dots.' There have, however, been just been three UK gigs, of which this was the third. In the spring they played a charity gig at the tiny Barfly club in London where the average price of buying a fan’s +1 wristband ticket was £ 200 on the black market. In July they played Manchester’s Move Festival. They then spent the whole of August in the States on their 'Curiosa' tour which they headlined and upon which Interpol and Mogwai played support. Back in the spring after the Barfly gig guitarist Perry Bamonte gathered the whole of the Cure hardcore around them and told us the Cure’s plans for this years, all of which has come about about apart from a planned UK tour in September. Icon was something I was originally e-mailed about by MTV at the start of August.MTV wanted fans to be interviewed about why we loved the Cure for a programme called MTV Icon. Due to the fact, I was going to Australia the following week I didn’t have time to write a piece on the Cure or to be interviewed. When I returned I got an e-mail saying there were still places left for the audience. I was auditioned for a place a week before and had my picture taken by digital camera so I could prove who I was when I arrived at the venue. The following Friday the whole of our Cure gang met up at various pubs at one end of London Bridge and made our way to the old fish market. We stood outside in the rain for about an hour before the doors opened at 9 p.m. We already had had a few drinks before hand as we had been told that there was to be no bar. On entry we were served Tequilas and Margaritas by dominatrix-style Goth princesses along with hors d’oeuvres. After several drinks we went into the venue and a friend told me that there was a bar and Frank Bell was in it so I went and got him to autograph my first video compilation which I had with me. Frank Bell was the Cure's postman in the last 70’s and early 80’s and sang lead vocals on ‘I’m a Cult Hero / I Dig You’, an one-off Cure single which was credited to Cult Hero. On return to the main part of the venue, which was decorated like a forest, we were ushered into an area at the front which was set aside for fans. The music business people in contrast were seated at the back. At the start of the event all five bands playing that night sat on the stage to our left. On a screen at the back the hall various interviews with fans the Cure and associates of the band were shown throughout the evening. Marilyn Manson was the compare for the evening and was quite entertaining with his links. In the first part of the evening four bands influenced by the Cure played cover versions of the Cure. First up was Blink 182 who played ‘A Letter To Eloise’ from ‘Wish’. They were joined by Robert Smith who sung ‘All Of This’ with them. After this A.F.I. (I had never heard of them either) did a brilliant cover of ‘Just Like Heaven’ Next up Razorlight covered ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ which they ruined. This was followed by the Deftones who because of problems with the filming had to play ‘If Only Tonight We Could Sleep’ from ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ twice. At midnight after various film clips and breaks for the filming, the Cure finally hit the stage. Tonight’s show was a weird set of songs highlighting their whole 25 year old career. They opened up the set with their new single ‘Taking Off’ and then after a short break went straight back to very beginning of their history by playing ‘10:15 Saturday Night’. There was then another break as MTV changed the film in their cameras. During this break a fan shouted out to Robert and asked “Robert, are you dreaming?” and Robert replies “Yes, I think I’m dreaming and it’s one of the strangest dreams I have ever had. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank all four bands because they were fucking excellent." The band then jammed on stage and Robert played his guitar with his fingers upside down as the Cure played an instrumental of Jimi Hendrix’s 'The Wind Cries Mary’, not that many people knew what it was. After the cameras were loaded it was back to business and the Cure knocked out a stunning set that lasted about 90 minutes. This was a great show that provided proof why they were chosen as MTV icons. Set list: Taking Off 10:15 Saturday Night The Wind Cries Mary Shake Dog Shake Fascination Street The End Of The World Love Song Inbetween days Friday I’m In Love Junpiter Crash Lullaby Before 3 Maybe Someday From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea Alt End 100 Years Encore : Love Cats Close To Me Why Can’t I Be You

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