Music Midtown Festival, Atlanta, Georgia 
Other festival bands: Booker T Jones, Cheap Trick, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Josh
Joplin Group, Kool and the Gang, Lucinda Williams
The Cult absolutely rocked. The new stuff they played was really good and indicates
that are ready to lead the new electric guitar revolution. I haven't seen a band
with an edge like this since Jane's, Urge Overkill, Danzig; all of which are
defunct. They really stand to gain a new audience and hold on to the many fans
they already have.
jizzay - jizzqay@bellsouth.net
They were the best band at the festival with no mainstream press coverage. They
blew everyone away and Ian seemed to be getting off on knowing how phenomenal he
was. What a show! No props neccesary just rockin.
Donica Taylor - donica1@earthlink.net
Though I'm not a die hard Cult fan, one of my best friends is, and over the years
he introduced me to Love, Electric, and Sonic Temple. I enjoyed most of it, so I
thought I'd check them out instead of joining my fiancee at the Kool and the
Gang show. Boy am I glad I did, and I'm embarrassed that I even gave Kool a second
thought. Like I said, I'm not a huge fan, and my memory isn't the best for a set
list, but here are my impressions. Ian's voice sounded great. On a couple of
tracks he sounded either out of breath or perhaps purposely not right on beat
in a improvisational type of way. But for most of it, they were giving their all
and sounded great. Duffy's guitar was amazing, equally adept at crunching wall of
sound noise and blistering solos. They also seemed truly earnest at connecting
with the crowd, commenting on how everyone was welcome at the show, even if they
didn't feel like they fit in with the Cult's scene, and that they felt out of
place too. Perhaps they felt a little insecure in the deep south? As far as songs
they played, the only ones I remember are the hits and ones from Electric (which
I have) Peace Dog, Sweet Soul Sister, Fire Woman. The last 3
songs of the set were Fire Woman, Wild Flower, and She Sells
Sanctuary. Then they came back for a couple of more... some old one that I
didn't recognize that they said they did back when they "invented Goth rock" as
Ian put it... Then finally Love Removal Machine. The crowd seemed to love
the entire show. The energy at the show was amazing, with people pumping their
fists and jumping around during the more upbeat numbers. Overall, the best rock
show I've seen in a while.
Dave Knauff - daveknauff@hotmail.com
Hello, I just got in from Atlanta. I had waited for years to see my favorite
band. They devasted the crowd and myself. Before they got onstage, Duel Of The
Fates from The Phantom Menace, Star Wars, was blasted. What a nice tease. Then
they got onstage and opened up with Rise. I don't remember the set list
because I lost my mind during the show. Everyone was singing with Ian. I swear I
was so overcome by the show. Ian got everybody AMPED! We were all jumping up and
down and clapping. I have never seen an audience so stirred. It was terrifying and
exciting all at once. I wish I had pictures to show you. In one part of the show,
Matt played solo on drums, and Ian came in and sang one line of an AC/DC song, "For
those about to Rock" and broke into another song. I have heard the Cult live from
Napster, but seeing them and the show they gave was just incredible. They sounded
better and the songs were all played at a pummeling pace. Ian was all over the floor,
swing the mike around dangerously, and destroying the mike stand! I will never be
the same! What an experience! Thanks,
Kelly - spittingimage@aol.com
I've seen The Cult at least 12 times and this was the best I've ever seen them ...
they looked great (as usual) and the performance was amazing ... I have been in
the music business for 20 years and have sen alot of shows...this is in the top
FIVE ever..the show was taped and I hope to find a copy...there were approximately
200 thousand people at music midtown over the 3 day festival...I'm sure every one
of them were watching The Cult. In closing...I know they are a GREAT band but this
was different ..the energy of the crowd had a definate effect on this performance.
At the end of the show Ian took about 15 bottles of water and threw them to the
audience and was talking to them...thanking them over and over..he was overwhelmed ...
I was on stage watching and the crowd gave me shivers and brought tears to my eyes ...
they sang every word to every song including the new CD. You have to see this video
somehow...maybe the band should sell it on they're site!!! Cheers
Cynthia - cstholmes@aol.com
I was so excited to see the Cult again! They rocked the 96 Rock stage as the
headliner, and I was so proud for them that they were headlining the stage. Jerry
Cantrell, Oleander, and Cheap Trick preceded them, but The Cult blew everyone away
with there high energy, hip-shaking, gotta move you whole body spiritual experience!
I am their #1 fan and have seen them in Atlanta twice, Nashville once, traveled to
Charlotte, NC and Raleigh, NC to see them every chance I could within driving
distance. I can't wait for their new album, which they played a lot of Saturday. I
love Ian Astbury - his spritual, metaphysical lyrics really speak to my soul. It's
not just ear candy! It feeds the need for something deeper and more lasting. I can't
wait to see them if they come back for their own tour. I love the Cult!!!!!!!!!
Lisa - lkirk@itserve.com
They did not disappoint, a fantastic show with tons of energy. I was blessed to catch
Ian's tambourine at the end of the show-what a souveneir! One of the best nights of
my life!
josh kolonick - joshkolonick@hotmail.com
Cheap Trick had just finished their set and the roadies were setting up for The Cult
to go on next. The Doors' LA Woman was playing on the PA system as the crowd
was getting restless waiting for The Cult to appear. It was about 10 p.m. or so and
LA Woman was still playing, on like track #7. Some dude came on the loud
speaker and said that The Cult would not come out unless all the women showed their
tits. After Riders On The Storm, silece fell for a while. And with a bang....The
Cult was out. Ian had on this hooded robe, with his hair sticking out the top of a
bandana. He looked very cool. They played most of their hit material and some stuff
from the new album. They put on a powerful show. Ian was full of energy and even made
the comment during the set, "I think the psychedelics are about to kick in." Ian was
a madman on stage and really had the crowd going. The funniest moment was when Ian
made a comment about "business up front...party in the back" refering to some mullets
in the crowd. The coolest momement I remember was during Sweet Soul Sister.
The fog machine was on and Ian's robe was blowing in the wind. You could see the
Atlanta skyline above the stage. It was very surreal.
JoCo - y2j_2000@mailcity.com
Everything you've read is true and brings back my own memories. Simply put, of the 4
times of seen The Cult ('90, '92, '99 & this one), 5/5/01 was the best concert I've
been to, not just of them, but ever, of any music act. I went nuts the whole time
dancing, jumping, etc and the delivery of their music was so powerful I literally got
stoned from it. The performance Astbury and co. gave was a spiritual experience for
all involved. It was so overwhelming I don't even feel like going back now, I mean
nothing can top THAT.
Justin Lozoff - jlozoff@hotmail.com
Setlist:
Rise
In The Clouds
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Rain
Sweet Soul Sister
The Witch
Breathe
The Saint
Fire Woman
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore:
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine