The Cult unleashed unparalled energy in a strong, solid performance at Lupo's in Providence, RI tonight. I witnessed up front an awesome display of passionate fury from Ian, Billy and Matt in the old and new songs. With the new songs Rise, The Saint, and Breathe, the Cult unveiled Take The Power for the first time to an enthusiastic crowd. This concert, in my most humble opinion, eclipsed their reunion show I saw at the Avalon in Boston in '99. The Cult rocked! Long live the Cult! Paul Seifert 5/29/01

Great show... packed venue. Song list was pretty much the same as the previous shows posted however instead of War leading off the encore, they introduced Take The Power (introduced as one for the guys in the crowd). Cool Tune. Band was tight and Ian seemed really into the show and crowd. A few quotes I remember... at one point he asked if there were any Brown (University) students in the crowd. After a few in the crowd shouted and raised their hands he said something like "good, we like students". Another time, someone in the front row must have been pretty fucked up... he asked the person if they were allright and then kind of made a mopey or sleepy gesture, I assumed he was imitating the poor messed up soul. He also commented at one point that it was OK to clap and jump around if people in the crowd wanted to, don't worry about looking cool to the others in the crowd, go ahead and clap, You shouldn't give a fuck what anyone else thinks. End of the show he seemed really touched by the crowd reaction (crowd was really into the whole show and cheered nonstop). He made a comment about what a long road full of sweat and tears to get to this point, going from being on the cover of Vouge at 23 to being just Bad Bad Boys now. Great show...look forward to a trip up to Worcester in July to see 'em again.

Been a fan for years, but this was the first time I got to see you guys live!! You guys rocked!!!! I was working security for the venue so I didn't get to enjoy too much!! I live on the Jersey shore, so if I have some cash, I'll be at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on July 13th, 2001!!! Hope to see you guys rockin' again!!! The Cult: Beyond Good...They’re Great

Another one of the great, barely-recognized bands of the 80’s and 90’s is back to see if they still have it. It’s been seven years since The Cult put out a new studio album and they’ve only put out re-releases, re-mixes, and out-takes in the past two years. Although the Rare Cult and Pure Cult discs were a wonderful account of their talent and versatility it was no test of what they can still do now.

I saw them recently on tour for their latest album, Between Good and Evil (release date: June 5, 2001) and the show exceeded my expectations. I don’t expect much from bands who come back after a long hiatus, but The Cult is one of the exception to the rule. Where most bands lose their edge over time, The Cult has stepped up and earned my respect as a band that has mastered longevity, consistency, and creativity.

Another pleasant surprise was that The Cult has not tried to hop on anyone’s bandwagon. Their music remains original and they’re not trying to fit into the latest "sound". This is partly why I began to follow the group in 1987. They are true to their music. In my personal opinion they could have easily achieved the mainstream success that Guns and Roses received, but they would have had to cave in to the powers that were. The modern music at this show was left to the opening band.

The Cult’s new music does sound like their early masterpieces, but the new songs are not clones of previous hits. It’s like comparing a bottle of good two-year-old wine to the same bottle after ten years. Sometimes, like most bands, it sours, but for The Cult it only got better. Quite often reformed bands make one of two mistakes, they either try to sound like they did in their heyday but can’t, or they try to reinvent themselves but fail (e.g., The Holy Barbarians). In this case, The Cult sounds as good as ever doing what they know how to do best.

Their new music is as rockin’ as ever, hard and strong. It blended well with their older songs, without any loss of energy. It’s easy for a "comeback" band to adapt the latest trend into their repertoire, but it often leaves them looking like fools. Bands must feel pressured into playing to both the original fans and the new crowd. To see The Cult’s show now its obvious both the old and new like them as they are because fans with gray hair and those with purple hair were banging their heads to the beat. And they did it without compromise.

All in all, The Cult is playing shows that should not be missed. For those familiar with their work over the past two decades, you won’t be disappointed. For those who missed them the first time, and who also like to rock, go see them now. They played an even mix of the old and from the new album. Long Live The Cult!

Rise
In The Clouds
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Rain
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Witch
Breathe
The Saint
Fire Woman
Sweet Soul Sister
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Take The Power
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine