Cure - Brixton Academy, London, 25/2/2009

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 4 / 4 / 2009

intro

At the Brixton Academy in London Anthony Strutt watches the Cure being presented with the Godlike Genius Award from the 'NME' and play a short set

This is not a gig as such as the Cure are being presented with the Godlike Genius Award at the 'NME' Awards. For once fans are allowed in as the Cure are fan friendly. How many journalists in contrast like the Cure ? Exactly ! This is filmed and goes out on TV, although White Lies' opening number is not broadcast. After a night of one off appearances of bands appearing with other bands, Franz Ferdinand playing 'Call Me' with La Roux, Glasvegas with Florence and the Machine and so on, we get to the main attraction. Tim Burton then presents Robert Smith with his award. I met and talked to both on the way in, and even got Tim to take a photograph of me with him as he is one of the few film directors I admire now. The Cure are due to do a 30 minute set but in fact play for 38 mins, The set is tight, featuring just two guitars, bass and drums as the Cure have no keyboards now. It opens with 'Lullaby' from 1989's 'Disintegration' album. Robert tells us, "That was old. This is from last week", and then plays 'The Only One', the first single from the group's latest album, '4.13 Dream, which was also played on 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross' the week before. 'Friday I'm in Love' follows. Robert teases us by saying, "We are gonna play..." and then goes straight into 'Close to Me', with a heavy guitar solo from Porl Thompson, who is now back in the band and looks more like a goth than Robert could ever do. Strangely enough the rest of the band arrived together with Robert's missus Mary and then they sat seperately from him at the awards too. 'It's the End of the World' from the 2004 'The Cure' album follows. It was not a strong single at the time but it is a grower.'In Between Days' is next followed by a fantastic version of 'Just Like Heaven' and then'Boys Don't Cry'. The only B side '10.15 Saturday Night' and its original A side and their 1978 debut single, 'Killing An Arab', are last and rip through the audience like a hurricane. A perfect night. I also meet Robert Smith on the way out too, A lovely chap indeed.

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