The show could be summed up in 2 words, The Cult. Instead, let me tell of some history and highlights. This was my second Cult show. I saw them open up for Metallica where they were booed throughout their set. I must have been 1 of 10 who actually was cheering for them that night. What a difference 12 years make. Tonight at the Electric Factory they were the show. Lennon and Isle of Q opened up. I saw neither. Monster Magnet cancelled because of injury. The Cult came on at 10:30 and did the usual setlist until midnight. Ian changed the words in Lil' Devil. Instead of singing "Living in a shack in a one horse town trying to get to Heaven before the sun goes down" he sang "Living in a shack in a one horse town trying to get to Heaven before the shit goes down". After Rain, Ian told the crowd, "People always ask me why we have not put out an album as good as Love. I tell them that no one else has". It was great. It was cool that during Rain Billy did not do the pick slide after the break. The Witch live was incredible. Of course, when Ian said they were going to do one more song the boos came out. He replied with, "It's gotta end sometime. But it ain't over 'til it's over." Then they broke into Love Removal Machine. A few adjectives? Awesome, wonderful, and spectacular. Thank God some bands are still rockin'!!!

I just got back from the Philadelphia show at the Electric Factory. I got there an hour before showtime. Before I even closed my car door in the parking lot I was approached by a Hare Krishna requesting a donation for his free literature, a guy left over from the last Grateful Dead tour offering me hash & mushrooms and some homeless guy trying to bum a cigarette off me. Kinda funny.

We found out once we got inside that Monster Magnet wasn't performing. Apparently the lead singer of Monster Magnet busted up his knee the night before and they are off the tour too. Bummer, actually liked both Monster Magnet and Stabbing Westward. Instead, we got a local Philly band named Isle of Q as a last minute sub and also Lennon opened up before the Cult. Both were ok. Cult was on next and the crowd was definitely alive for them. The band sounded great, Ian sounded great and they all seemed to be in good moods. Ian really tried to connect with the crowd -- shaking hands and showing some heartfelt gratitude. They played the same setlist. All the new songs translated really well live and I was blown away by the way they reworked Nirvana. Place was maybe 3/4 full. Hard to say how many people were there.

Ian had a few amusing comments, even though it was hard to make out everything he said. He said, "Someone asked me the other day why we never made an album again as good as LOVE? I told him that no one has ever done it! So chew on that, jerkie!" Ian also said "If you guys can't get into this song (I think it was Wild Flower), then I'll quit right now -- and turn it over to Limp Bizkit and the others...." Ian also managed to slam Coca-Cola and The Gap before Breathe.

Anyway, can't wait to see them in NYC on Wednesday. Maybe they will add at least New York City to the playlist.

The show last night was fantastic. After the Cult Rising tour I thought I'd never see another set quite like that one. What a set at The Electric Factory in Philly, it left me wanting more from the new album. How many times does that happen with a band. War (the process) and Take The Power were incredibly powerful. Nirvana and Rain, didn't think I'd ever see those songs live again. Lil' Devil, Wild Flower, and of course Love Removal Machine always a treat. They also kicked out a few off Sonic Temple. I'm looking forward to DC on the 14th. It was a great show, what happened to Monster Magnet?

The show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia started on a down note when Monster Magnet cancelled at the last minute, apparently due to the lead singer sustainig a knee injury. Isle Of Q filled in for the recently departed Stabbing Westward, and did a great job. The're stuff is very energetic and the lead singer is awesome. Lennon on the other hand, is dreadfully awful. Her voice is flat and they make the material more complicated than anyone wants to hear. The result was a half empty building until about 10:00.

By the time The Cult came on however, the place was fully packed and screaming for the band. From the opening chords of Rise through the final moshfest of Love Removal Machine, the band delivered a high-energy, ass-kicking good time. Ian was in the best mood I have ever seen, repeatedly toying with Billy M. and Mike D., and jumping down to shake hands with us in front. Before the encore, he snuck in front of the stage and shook hands with us before jumping up on stage and launching into an awesome rendition of War. Billy Duffy seems to have left his sense of humor somewhere back in LA. It was more of the same stuff others have reported seeing -- yelling at his techs and looking generally pissed or bored most of the time. Get it together, bro!

Frankenbeans, Cultrising, Tammy, Julia and I waited around after the show, and Ian was nice enough to come out for autographs and pictures -- what a class guy. All in all, a good night for The Cult and we devoted fans.

I waited four hours to get front row center to see the Cult at what turned out to be the best night of my life! This was my second Cult show and I was SO excited. I have been a Cult fan for over 7 years and this would be the show that changed it all. I sat through two mediocre opening bands (Both Monster Magnet and Stabbing Westward cancelled due to injuries--some fans wanted refunds!) and finally, at 10:30, the Cult emerged. I stood there with Tammy and we watched as they took the stage. They cut right into Rise and rocked the house down. I was jumping the entire show so much that my legs are now paying for it. They played Sweet Soul Sister, Breathe, Rain, She Sells Sanctuary, Take The Power, War, Nirvana, Wild Flower, Fire Woman, Lil' Devil, The Saint, Edie (Ciao Baby), Peace Dog, The Witch, In The Clouds, Love Removal Machine. It was an AMAZING show. I know Ian saw me jumping around and I clasped my hands as I have seen Ian do and he did it right back to me. I even saw Billy Duffy crack a smile. Then, after the last song and before the encore, Ian stepped out into the crowd and shook people's hands, MINE INCLUDED! I told him it was the best day of my life. And it got better. After the show I had some things I wanted him to sign. I waited at the back door I saw Ian fly by before I could turn around. But within a half an hour he returned in white and black pumas, a leather jacket and a Detroit Tigers baseball cap. Finally, I got to meet him. I told him I was trying to contain myself as he signed my poster. Then, he bent down and put his arm around me for a picture. I told him he made my millenium and he laughed and said, "awwww! Thank you!" as he stroked my hair and hugged me. I thought I was going to die. It truly was the best event of my life. The best quote from Ian that night: "Someone asked me why we hadn't done a better album than 'Love' and I said, 'No one has'". What a night. I met Todd Bainbridge and photographer Ray Conway after the show and we got some drinks. Ray told me how happy he was that I finally met Ian. I am sure I was beaming! We chatted about the Cult the entire night and into the early hours of morning. I thank the Cult for putting together an awesome show, to Ian for meeting me and his fans, and to Tammy, Ray and Todd.

Philadelphia, PA ... Electric Factory. The name says it all!! This place was basically an old factory turned into a music hall. I arrived at the show at about 9:00. For some reason Monster Magnet was nowhere to be found and I didn't get to catch the name of the opener. Anyhow ... this show seemed to be a bit in shambles. The sound just was not there. Billy Duffy's ear monitor was obviously not working and eventually he ripped it out in disgust! The boys seemed to be tired or something. A lot of the songs were played much slower than they usually play them. However Ian got the crowd going. At one point when the crowd seemed to be lost Ian taunted them by asking them what was wrong. "What's wrong?? OH, you guys are into Korn and Limp Bizkit, right?" However, overall the boys seemed to shrug off the fact that the sound was bad and just tore the stage up. Upon my departure I heard a DJ on a local station comment on how the sound at Electric Factory has always been poor. Hey what are you gonna do. Well, Gonna make another journey on Friday to catch the show at Asbury Park in New Jersey. Another 6 and a half hour trek!! HEY, It's worth it to see the boys! Nothing quite like a live experience!!! Later!

Got up Saturday morning eager to be on my way to Philly to pick up my dear friend Julia. Oh yeah, 1 problem...didn't tell hubby until I was on the way out the door. Since this was my 21st show of the tour, needless to say he wasn't impressed. I simply told him it was important for me to go. I was so looking forward to meeting Julia. We had been chatting on line for about 2 years now. After passing the "parent test" she and I went on our way down to the Factory. We drove around the block about 3 times before we realized that we were exactly where we were supposed to be. The place looks, well, now come to think of it, like a factory. Of course she and I were the first ones there...we decided that although we were both starving that once of us should stay in case there were any others as crazy as us waiting around. I ventured off for about an hour...found a McDonald's...let me just say the food was disgusting... I am standing in line and I hear someone call my name. I said, "I'm Tammy" and it was CULTinMD (Kevin). I suppose I had told him at one point I would be there and too look me up. It was so nice to meet him and his friends. We chatted a few minutes before the show. They opened the doors and from what it looked like inside there were only a handful of people at the venue. We the die hards started ranting and raving about how we couldn't believe there weren't more people there. We were concerned it wasn't going to be a good show (for the band) for that reason. Just for the record, there are no bad CULT shows in my opinion. I can remember thinking that there are so many fans out there that would love to have an opportunity to see them in such a small venue...and that it was a shame. Isle of Q was pretty decent. The guy had some attitude...and a pretty decent voice. Lennon...what can I say? I always try to give the bands that open for the CULT a break...but this had been my 3rd or 4th time seeing them open for the CULT...let me just say it was rough. Finally, the CULT arrive. Man it was freaking awesome. Ian, Billy M. and Mike were horsing around and having a great time. I didn't really see Billy D's expression too much...but I can tell you he was wailing that night, song after song. Yeah, I saw Ian fold his hands like Julia did back at her...really made her happy. I am so glad I got to see them with her...I kept looking over at her...and the whole time she was flailing around, just like me. We were bouncing and grinning from ear to ear. By the time it was over, I was a sweaty mess...but it was allllllllll worth it. During the interssion for the encore Ian just walked right by the people in the front right side (near Billy D) and came towards the folks in the middle. I yelled, "Hey guys, it's Ian!" Of course everyone started grabbing for him. He reached out and shook Julia's hand. What a special moment for her. I wish I had had a picture left. That would have been a real Kodak moment. Just goes to show he was in a great mood. That was so cool of him. The show was just awesome. I just love, love, love, love, the CULT. Yeah, Ian's remark about the Love album had us all chuckling. After the show Ian came out and signed stuff for us and took pix with many of the fans. Just a great night. One that I will remember forever. I am so glad I got to not only finally met my special friend Julia, but also Kevin, Ray and Todd...some really great guys. Can't wait to see you guys in DC!

One word awesome, The band rocked... I've seen the Cult play over 9 times and this was the best to date although I find myself saying that evertime I leave a Cult concert. The band played the same tour set list as in many of the other shows, A personnal highlight was War and Love Removal Machine ... no matter how many time you hear it live it still kicks ass!!!! The Cult are back and life is good again what else can I say.

I cant wait for the DC show at the 9:30 club

p.s. Kevin dont be bitter that Matt personally gave me an autographed drum stick.

Let me just say I LOVE THE CULT. To give a little background-my husband's favorite band is The Cult, I was always like "yeah , they're okay" until we went to see them at the HFStival in D.C. Then, I understood. So, we went to see them in Philly- They Rocked!!! So, we wanted to get tickets to the 9:30 Club but they were sold out!!! My hubby, Duane will forever be resentful (and I will always kick myself) because he wanted to buy tickets to the 9:30 Club when we bought them for the Electric Factory but I said no!! I am so regretful now! I have become a true believer of The Cult and hope to see them again some day!! By the way, they opened up the HFStival with Wild Flower and also played that in Philly, now I must listen to that song at least twice a day.

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
War
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine