Varsity Theatre, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Opening Band: Lennon
OK, I've seen The Cult 6 times....3 times this year. I know....lucky bastard right? Right!
The show last night was INCREDIBLE! I've written reviews of past shows explaining how
Ian was generally pissed off and missing a lot of lyrics. Not trying to be negative...its
just the way it happened. Not last night.
THEY WERE ON LAST NIGHT LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN THEM!
Supposedly the June 24 show in Dalton, GA was cancelled, so the band's managment was looking
for a place to play between GA and TX. So, it was the Varsity in Baton Rouge. My first time
at this venue. I live in New Orleans, so it was an hour and a half drive, but for The
Cult....no problem.
I've never seen Ian is such high spirits. He was interacting with the band a lot....smiling
the whole time. The energy in the crowd was incredible. This IS a band that feeds off of that
kind of energy. Ian was a mad man last night...moving all over the stage...clapping people's
hands. AWESOME! At one point a "crowd surfer" made it to the stage, so Ian proceeded to spank
his ass....like saying "BAD BOY," but with a huge smile on his face.
Overall, just a lot of positive energy at this show.
I think that the crowd's energy, a day off, and playing a last minute gig in a small (with
not as much pressure) may have contributed to the best Cult show I've ever seen.
If you were there you know what I mean.
It was down right inspiring. All I can say is WOW!
One fucked up thing though....Ian explained that one of their crew was beaten badly by some
locals yesterday and was in Intensive care.
Christopher Wright - wright_c@bellsouth.net
Fantastic show!!!! Lots of old stuff (Rain, Nirvana, She Sells Sanctuary).
Lots of new stuff (War, Breathe). The show was dedicated to a sound engineer
who was beat up before the show (?). They started off rather sedated, but quickly turned
their rage from their injured comrad into 100% pure rock n' roll intensity. Great show!!!
Thomas
The previous reviews are right on. Excellent and outstanding. Nothing
I've seen or done compares to last nights EXPERIENCE! I'm speechless
(and nearly deaf...it was a tad too loud) Every song was great, but
Rain, Wild Flower and Love Removal Machine just
caused an explosion. I thought they created lightning a few times!
The songs are energetic, and while the audio quality of a CD is
unrivaled, I'd choose to listen to last nights deafening energy over
the CD's everytime. If you haven't caught them yet, then I insist
that you do and hope your crowd is good, cause Ian...actually the
whole band...will play like a band possessed!
Tom Sumrall
This show is the one by which all other shows should be measured.
They had a purpose tonight. They dedicated the show, and they delivered.
It was very powerful.
Of the six times that I have seen them live, I have never seen them
interact with the crowd as much as this show or play as hard. They
were on a mission.
The Witch stood out as tops. I have heard better performances
of She Sells Sanctuary. Ian even through in a few Doors lyrics
at the end.
I would like to find out exactly what happened to their sound engineer
before the show and why Ian had red eye shadow on. Whatever it meant,
it worked.
If they would have only played King Contrary Man...
Contraryman
Setlist:
Rise
In The Clouds
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Take The Power
Rain
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Witch
Breathe
The Saint
Fire Woman
Sweet Soul Sister
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore:
War
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine