The Warehouse, Toronto, Ontario 
Opening band: New American Shame
What an evening it was folks, with Cultphiles lined around the building to get
in when I got there. It was hot as hell in there but I don't think anyone
minded cause the show just kicked. They played all the hits and even some b-sides
(The Witch, In The Clouds). Ian's vocals were great and Billy's
fret-work couldn't have been better. The addition of a rhythm player for the
show helped Billy showcase his talents a little more as he didn't have to carry
the load. The new bass player seemed pretty damn cool and he rocked too. I've
seen about 20 or so concerts in my lifetime and this might have been the best.
Mo
The Cult rocked The Warehouse tonight! Sound was excellent and the two guitar
line up worked perfectly. The band is tight and the energy was pa incredible.
Duffy seemed a little...um...tired, but his playing was very good. All in all,
one of the best gigs I've ever seen. The Cult is back! Don't miss them.
Gun D.
A Cult worship
This reunion performance only would thrill hardcore fans of '80s band
Let me state right away that I'm not a member of the cult of The Cult.
So the band's reunion appearance at the Warehouse on Friday night, which sold
out very quickly I'm told, didn't exactly have my heart racing unlike the hordes
of hardcore, diverse-looking fans of the veteran goth-rock-heavy-metal outfit who
were packed into the place like sardines.
I will admit the group, formed in 1983 in London, have one great song -- She
Sells Sanctuary -- which, not surprisingly, elicited the greatest response
of the night as the simmering crowd finally erupted into full boil at the end of
an hour-long set.
The group, who split up in 1994, also have a couple of other decent tunes such
as Fire Woman and Rain, but more often than not their music tends
to bog down in hammer-over-the-head sameness.
Friday night's lineup featured band founders -- British-born lead singer, and sometime
Hamiltonian, Ian Astbury and Manchester-native Billy Duffy on guitar.
Duffy's jacked-up, chugging-along guitar sound was filled out by former Guns N'
Roses drummer Matt Sorum, Jane's Addiction bassist Martyn LeNoble and additional
guitarist Michael Dimkich.
But all eyes were on Astbury, poured into pair of a snakeskin pants, and in good,
wailing voice when he wasn't giving the crowd heck for not getting loud and rowdy
enough. (From my vantage point, at the side of the stage because I couldn't make
my way back through the sweaty, beer-swilling throng to the soundboard, they were
plenty of both.)
Anyway, Astbury was up to his usual hip-shaking, speaker-climbing, tambourine and
maracas-playing self -- antics which recalled a poor man's Chris Robinson, Michael
Hutchence or Jim Morrison.
The audience, however, ate him right up even though the 37-year-old Astbury seemed
to think they couldn't get over the fact that he wasn't a member of The Hairclub For
Men.
"You're in shock," he said to the crowd. "You're going, 'Look at that! He's still
got his own fucking hair!' "
Duffy and LeNoble, meanwhile, who seemed to have used the same batch of platinum dye
for their short-cropped and, yes, equally abundant, hair, provided some nice sonic
distractions as did Sorum, almost invisible behind a massive drum kit. Strangely
enough, there was also a road hand lurking to the side of Sorum, working the cowbell
and tambourine on some songs.
This was definitely one reunion I could have missed and not lost any sleep over, but
those joyous and enraptured Cult fans all around me Friday night seemed mighty satisfied.
Jane Stevenson - Toronto Sun
We just arrived back in Montreal from an UNREAL weekend in Toronto. We're dead
tired, and the amazing Cult are to be thanked for that!!! What can I say. We
waited near The Warehouse hours before the show to ensure a front row position
of the concert. We were successful. We managed to be the 3rd and 4th people in
the doors, and as the first two people went wondering off to the t-shirt/hat
vendors, we positioned ourselves 6 ½ feet away from the lead microphone. So I guess
that makes us the first two people into the actual venue. At that point our
excitement was overwhelming. Despite the fact that we were completely burnt
out by the blistering sun and heat, we were in tip top shape. I thank God
that we were at the front against the railing for the simple reason that I
knew the air quality would go to shit quickly during the sold out show. As
well, my girlfriend's 5'2" stature wouldn't survive long if she was back in
the pack. By the way, if anyone was at the show, I was the really tall guy
right at the very front with short, bleach blonde hair and a nose ring. New
American Shame was pretty solid. They have a strong, straight forward rock sound
that seems to work well on stage. The one thing that seemed almost laughable, was
the lead guitarist. He was a great guitarist, but his style was identical to Angus
Young of ACDC. I mean this guy had the one leg jumping away while his head was
going up and down constantly. If that wasn't enough, he was even playing the same
model guitar as Angus. I'm no ACDC fan, so I could care less who NAS' guitarist
was ripping off. I do care about originality, however, and I'm not sure these
guys had it. As well, the lead singer (who could sing!), sounded just like the
lead singer of the Black Crows (forgot the name!). Anyway, as many other reviews
have said, they warmed up the crowd and that's what a good opening band is
supposed to do. After waiting for about 35 minutes to change the set for The Cult,
my g-friend and I were starting to fade quickly. It was apparent that heat
stroke had decided to pay us a visit. NONETHELESS, we stayed strong! After the
lights dimmed and the Star Wars music (lead in music as the band entered the
stage) started, I felt completely rejuvenated with euphoric energy. I knew the time
had finally come. The band arrived, and all the guys looked great. Remember, all
the while my g-friend and I were within short spitting distance of each member.
The crowd was going crazy, but everyone also seemed in awe of the band. It was a
moment, that the 2000 of us who were there, would never forget. Like all Cult
fans, after their breakup, the likelyhood of their return seemed impossible. I
suppose that made the moment even better. They kicked in with Lil' Devil
and it sounded so tight and so good. Ian's voice needed no warming up, as it
was sharp from the very get go. I was baffled by Billy's guitar skill, as always.
He somehow seems to make the songs sound better live than on record. I must add
that Martyn LeNoble was outstanding. I have been a huge fan of Porno For Pyros
since their conception, and to see him back, healthy and having a great time was
such a bonus for me. He would often make eye contact with various people in the
crowd, including myself and my g-friend, and smile like a child. Mike, the
rhythm guitarist seemed very solid as well. He played without taking any attention
away from the true performers, while also added some awesome guitar sounds that
only helped to complement the whole sound of the band. Matt Sorum looked to
be in great shape and very tight with his drumming. I'm just glad he lost that
awful hair he had when we play with Guns and Roses!!! The moved through a number
of great tunes. The setlist was identical to that of recent shows. The Witch,
Peace Dog, In The Clouds (which was just as hard and powerful live as
it is on High Octane), Wild Flower and The Phoenix were my personal
favorites. The Phoenix was incredibly tight. I couldn't believe that they
could reproduce that sound so beautifully, however, they did!. My g-friend insists
that Edie (Ciao Baby) and She Sells Sanctuary were the best. They
were phenomenal, that's for sure. The body surfing got going about a third of the way
through their set. It was an absolutely crazy crowd that truly loved the band. Being
at the very front has a price, and being nailed by numerous feet and bodies was the
result. Big deal! Bruises are so worth what we were able to enjoy, You could
tell that almost everyone had been fans since the early years of The Cult. I have
no doubt that Ian and Billy could tell the same. He stopped a number of times to
tell everyone how great the crowd look. "You have no idea how fucking incredible this
looks to me right now." He went on to say how badly he's been wanting to play
Toronto again and that he's love for us to have them return again soon. Everyone
went crazy, so I guess that answers his question. There was also mention of their new
album, which I can only hope written in a similar direction as "The Cult" (1994)
was. What an underrated album!!! Surely, whatever they record will sound amazing!
It was too bad not to hear some newer material, however, the show was perfect in my
mind. The crowd rocked, the band rocked....everything just fucking ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric Shaw - gisher99@aol.com
The show was great. They played all their hits which is what any band should
do!! all the singles and a few surprises that were very welcomed (Peace Dog,
The Phoenix, The Witch.) During Fire Woman Ian just stopped
singing and threw the mic over his shoulder and crossed his arms. He thought we weren't
rowdy enough. Me and my friend went in the pit (or what was supposed to be a mosh
pit) and started jumping around to get things going... shortly after everybody
was going nuts. At the end, during Love Removal Machine, I threw my Ottawa
Senators hat on stage (I'm from Ottawa) and Ian put it on for a few minutes and
threw it back out ... I wonder where it is now? All in all it was an awesome
show. Ian said we looked surprised that they were "still sexy and full of fucking
energy". It's good to see that they are...
Patrick - lavoiepatrick@yahoo.com
Saw The Cult last night ...kicked ASS, can't say any more than that. I was really
glad to hear some older stuff, b sides, and Love Removal Machine was great
live. Hope to God they come back to Toronto soon. Ian looked absolutely amazing.
Really revved for the show.
Bal Saggu - saggu@echo-on.net
The venue was amazing. I was about 5 feet from the stage. They sounded great, and
I am glad there back together. Can't wait for the new album which Ian said should be
out in fall of 2000.
Dev - Julia@Execulink.com
Once upon a time, my confused musical taste buds took on a, how do you say, eclectic
palate? But a mighty band emerged from the pack to lead my funky ass out of the can
of bad pop and into nirvana, like a phoenix from the fiery wreckage. They had what I
needed and they gave my musical soul asylum with what felt like an everlasting kiss.
But alas, without warning, my dreams were shattered as the band closest to my wild
heart said, "Ciao babies." It began with a head shaving, and ended in a heart wrenching.
For far too long, my eager ears have been awaiting the supposed forthcoming solo disc
from the Ian Astbury. He of rockin' yelps and yeahs to rival the master, Robert Plant.
Needless to say, more than the heart of this wolf child started to tingle when the
announcement rang through the wires: Cult... Warehouse... Toronto... Reunion. Gasp!
Astbury and Duffy (Billy that is) together again (who says a whirlwind dreamer wishing
in the wind with dried-out dandelions doesn't have a wish or two come true?).
Friday, July 30 couldn't come fast enough. I was wound up, couldn't sleep. Guest list
with a plus one for the initiation of my beloved into the world of all things Cult. He's
never been a rocker, but rather a progressive, electronica-guy. I'm confident a
revolution will rain over him like a cyclone kiss tonight.
Can't be late, can't miss a solitary amplified chord, can't miss an opportunity to throw
horns. I arrive right on time to feel the surge from the crowd run through me as the boys
and their band ascend the stage. With possible set lists running through my sensory
overloaded mind (hey! Be free of that idea. I was naturally high), I waited, baited and
elated.
Lil' Devil was first to rip my head off and zap it into a city of sin. A pure Cult
frenzy ensued, as hits both anticipated and not quite expected put me in a dizzy rock n'
roll haze. A Cult brand of earthy soul, rock n' roll "nothing plastic, all fantastic" kept
me doing a hip shake all night. Well actually, it all seemed too short. But isn't that
always the way when a kick-ass bunch of joe's like The Cult resurrect themselves like a
sunrise?
Ian was the quintessential rock n' roller, never coming down or backing off of his soul
shaking assault. And Billy. Can you say flying Dutchman? His sculpted arms made more
windmills on that guitar than barbers have made bad haircuts on Aaron Brophy (according to
the People's Editor himself). Ian definitely had the blues power baby, as he howled
through a smokin' set that included Sun King (got mine), Rain (the other song
from Love that radio stations play), Wild Flower (an ode to me in grade 11), Edie
(Ciao Baby) (a sorrowful ballad of suicide sung surprisingly early in the set), Sweet
Soul Sister (foreplay in a guitar lick performed just the way I like it: extended),
Peace Dog (an Electric favourite perfect for crowd chanting), Fire Woman
(I'll never forget the part in the video where Ian humps the stage), The Witch
(the synthetics of the song were sadly missed, but the flavour was still to be found on
the band's foray into 'Electronica'), New York City (damn well shocked my ass that
they played this Sonic Temple rocker), She Sells Sanctuary (the absolute most
recognizable song in the Cult catalogue, taken back and done right, as Ian promised).
Oh yeah, there was also a song that Ian named after it was over, but unfortunately I had a
helluva time trying to decipher speech through that mic. It can best be said that it
sounded an awful lot like "Free" from the 1995 album The Cult. Mind you, no one really knew
what it was. New material perhaps?
Despite technical fiascos that quite tellingly irked Billy, and the fact that the Warehouse
sucks rocks for sound, The Cult rocked theirs and everyone else's ass off. "It's all for
you," Ian professed as he dedicated his timeless energy to the faithful. He even took a
stab at one-time ally and dance music spewer Chris Sheppard in between crowd-pumping
episodes that for the most part involved rock lines like, "Are you ready? Yeah!" And it
was all so cool...
It was beautiful when he sang the last song: Love Removal Machine, part two of a
two-song encore that was preceded by a surprising The Phoenix. Sure paradise takes
time, but who would've thought it could all be true so soon? Rock n' roll was made cool
again this night.
Now if only Jamie Stewart could be put back into the mix...
Mistress Sass
Setlist
Lil' Devil
Sun King
Rain
In The Clouds
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Fire Woman
The Witch
Peace Dog
New York City
Revolution
Sweet Soul Sister
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore
Phoenix
Love Removal Machine