I arrived at the festival around 4 o'clock. The Cult were scheduled to play at 6:45. When I arrived Tantric was playing and I went down to look for a place to sit and watch. While walking down I saw Damion & Michelle whom I had met on Thursday night. We sat and talked and watched the show. We spotted Mike Dimkich across the fence and went over and chatted with him for a moment. After Tantric, Cheap Trick came on and played the stage right next to the one that The Cult were slated to play on. They put on a decent show but I was there for only one reason - The Cult. When the boys finally hit the stage with Rise there was electricity in the air! They went directly into In The Clouds next, followed by Lil' Devil. The crowd was chanting as the band rocked hard on Peace Dog. Rain was next followed by Sweet Soul Sister and The Witch. They then played two new songs Breathe and The Saint back to back before going into more familiar territory with Fire Woman. The crowd went really nuts at that point. They ended their set with Wild Flower and She Sells Sanctuary. Afterwards Ian told the crowd "if you want to hear some more music please let us know". The crowd went nuts and cheered until they came back onto the stage. Ian came back on stage with a huge orange construction cone and used it as a megaphone into his mike and said "do you want to hear some more music?" The crowd responded with an overwhelming "yes" and the band broke into Nirvana. The last song of the evening was Love Removal Machine and they rocked really hard on that one as usual. Ian seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood and joked with the crowd the entire evening. I noticed members of Tantric and Monster Magnet in the crowd as well and the singer/guitarist for Monster Magnet ended up standing right in front of us. After the show I spotted Tammy Marshall, Lori (Evil Flame On), and Nancy down near the front. I got their attention and they came over and we talked for a long while. Then we all decided to go get some food so we walked back to Damion and Michelle's motel room with them and then walked the streets of downtown Nashville looking for a restaurant to eat at. We went into one and then decided it was a little "too country" and tried the next one down the street. This one hit the spot with good food, good conversations with new friends, and lots of laughs. After dinner we were standing out in front of the restaurant talking and a guy named Chris came up and asked us how the Cult show was and we all told him it was great. While standing there talking to him I heard Michelle say "it's Phil". I looked up and saw the Cult's manager walking down the sidewalk towards us with a three other people. I then noticed that one of them was none other than Mr. Astbury himself!! We chatted with him for a few moments, got autographs, took some pictures, and gave handshakes. He was super nice, very polite and curtious, as I had always imagined that he would be. After a few minutes he bid us all a good night and walked away with his girlfriend, manager, and another friend into the Nashville night. We all stood there with big grins on our faces, laughing, and feeling very fortunate about our chance encounter with Ian. I'm sure the others may want to tell some of their own stories about this incredible night so I'll end my summary here!
Another awesome peformance. We got their early to get center front row. Billy gave us another thumbs up for the happy b-day poster. About halfway through the set Ian finished up a yell with a "thank you" to the crowd, then looked down at our poster with another "thank you" it was great! best of all, one of the guys from Chicago and I caught Zildjian-Matt Sorum sticks. No tambourines given at this show, although Susan did have her hands on one for a split second, which was accidentally dropped off stage, security quickly got it back. What a great weekend.
From the moment they unceremoniously took the stage, it was evident The Cult had regained the mystique and intensity of the band's glory years in the 1980s. Ian Astbury, who wore a floor-length black dress, is known to often change the words to even The Cult's most recognizable songs. He mostly stuck to the text on Sunday, though, until changing the lyrics to She Sells Sanctuary and barking like a dog at song's conclusion.
I had waited for years! Finally I was able to see The Cult, in Nashville. They were completely and totally awesome!!! I can't believe how Billy's sound was identical to the studio (very hard to do live!). Ian...was kick ass!! I'll tell y'all....this was damn well worth the wait!! Catch 'em if yer able to....you'll love it !! Peace...love...and rock n roll to you all!!
I have waited a long time to see The Cult. Have the Love and Sonic Temple CDs but never got the chance to see them. Their set last Saturday kicked ass big time. The band was tight, on the money and Ian was a great frontman. Missed not hearing Love, Revolution, Wild Hearted Son, or Coming Down but I know time only permitted so much. New songs Rise, War and The Saint sounded great. Their show for me was truly the highlight of the festival. The band seemed surprised at the favorable crowd response, as they haven't appeared for a while, especially in the Atlanta area. But, I think they realize now that fans are waiting for their new release, their tour and their is still a market for The Cult!
The Cult were Kick Ass. Much better than the Electric tour when Ian was liable to drink a lot and not sing the lyrics. Better than the Sonic Temple also. Band was tight and energetic. I think a "large" woman flashed Billy Morrison and he walked away disgusted muttering "whatever," and played the bass elsewhere. As for the crowd participation, I thought it was lame. So be it--it was a festival crowd, with more participation for Cheap Trick than the Cult. Ian actually chastised a group for playing hacking sack during the set, and he also actually took time to shoo away the "IKEA folks" who were leaving during the Cult's set. Outside of the lame crowd, the Cult rocked and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the show. When I returned from the front of the stage, I found out that security booted my wife for taking pics only four songs into the set.
This was my first but it definately won't be the last. What a show, when Ian came out the entire crowd electrified. Thank god they are back and just as awsome! See you soon guys!!!!!!!!!