Boston, Massachusetts, The Orpheum

Opening Band: The Cliks

This was my third cult show and it was a strange night in Boston. Bottom line, the crowd wanted to spectate rather than participate. Too many people...too quiet...At one point, Ian yelled "this isn't communist china". It seemed the band was frustrated by the lack of crowd mojo. For the encore only one song was played and the band only played for 83 minutes (yes, I timed it!)

I think the issue was partially a venue with assigned seats...that makes it harder for the folks who are really into it to be up front where the action is. The band feeds off of the "action" and everything builds. That just didn't happen last night.

Aside from the lackluster crowd the band and the sound were great! I had a nice clear view of Billy Duffy and it was a joy to watch him carve out his solos. Billy's solo blast starting Phoenix was fabulous as was the beginning of Edie. He is truly a guitar master. The setlist had some of the cult's more spiritual songs as well Spiritwalker and Horse Nation to name a few.

As always, it was a blast and privilege to see the Cult! Can't wait to catch 'em again!

Really GREAT show! I saw the Cult twice in the last 2 years (Avalon and Hampton ballroom). Both of those shows were very good, excellent. I always go with or meet people who are first time Cult concert goers. They and myself have been impressed with a great rock performance and live show. The energy last night was full bore from start to finish. I thought the song selection and performance was energizing. Horse nation, Rise, Edie, among many others really stood out. The whole band was really on. At this show I got to see both Ian and Billy have great performances. The drummer is off the hook. I have never been disappointed at a cult show, but some how this one was better than previous shows I've seen. At one point Ian mentioned the Canadians and some boos were expressed the lets go Bruins chant from the crowd was a welcome relief. Does a non-sports fan understand big time rivalries in hockey?

Dave O - Tewksbury MA

I was surprised to walk past the tour buses 10 minutes before the show and see Chris, John, and Mike hanging out. Chris and Mike disappeared seconds later, but John was just milling around with 2 guys from the crew.

The show was great. The band was enjoying themselves, with no sound issues at all. Ian was into the songs and dancing about better than I expected based on people's commments about his hip. There were two times that he walked across the stage with a noticable limp, but that disappeared when the music started. Ian did tease the crowd about hockey and Montreal since they just came from Montreal and the Bruins and Canadians are playing each other in the playoffs. Prior to Horse Nation, Ian's other comments included asking if there were any First Nations in the crowd. I've heard The Cult play them before, but there's just something about hearing Horse Nation and Spiritwalker that gives some magic to the moment. Amazing songs. This was my first time hearing Illuminated live, and it was played really tight by the group. Before the Encore, Tiger in the Sun was played, but there was no video shown. All in all, a really solid show that was well received by the Boston crowd.

Joe Mama

The opening Band the Cliks were better then I thought they would be, The Cult came on and it was a great show but because of assigned seating it was hard for the crowd to rock but we still managed to have fun. There was only one small guitar issue and Billy had to change out guitars but for the rest if the night it was awsome. Ian was great and interacting with the crowd. I am miffed the HERALD-BOSTON PAPER- slammed the concert as lackluster -it wasnt. They did a great version of RISE, SPIRIT WALKER and of course SHE SELLS SANCTUARY.

Peace

Although I like the size of the Orpheum and felt a twinge of nostalgia to see the Cult play the same venue where I first saw them as a college student (at the 1987 gig), the place just does not work for getting a crowd near the band. And Ian needs the crowd near the band. There is so much more band-audience connection at general admission places like Avalon, Hampton Beach Ballroom or the old Lupo's.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the show surrounded by folks who could sing every word of the popular stuff from the 80's. There was more than a bit of eye candy to check out - and more than a few aging heads featuring the trendy shaved look.

Billy Duffy was in fine dramatic mettle - with lots of energetic windmill action and repeated moves to perch his left foot on the monitors. He did a fair amount of work playing with the guitar held vertical. And when he gets going on that whammy bar... look out!

I need to make a special note that this was the first show in years where I have seen Ian's forehead. He is usually swathed in bandana. Perhaps wearing his hair in the Tibetan style bun meant he didn't need the bandana. And he did dance a fair bit - to cheers each time.

Two of my faves were Sweet Soul Sister and Rise, though Edie always gets to me. Good show.

Kelly

Setlist:

Fire Woman
Rain
Electric Ocean
I Assassin
The Witch
Sweet Soul Sister
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Illuminated
Horse Nation
Spiritwalker
Rise
Savages
The Phoenix
Dirty Little Rockstar
Wild Flower
Love Removal Machine

Encore:

She Sells Sanctuary