Just got back from seeing The Cult in Orlando at The House of Blues. What can I say but I thought they rocked. I didn't think they were as into the music as when I saw them on Electric tour or early on in Sonic Temple tour, but they were good. (This was like 9th time I've seen them live.) Their set was a mixture of old and new. Everytime they played something from Sonic or Electric or Love, Ian would say, "this is old school." I took my 17 y.o. brother (he's half my age so there is a big generation gap between our musical tastes) and he was impressed by Billy's guitar playing (he plays in a band, big heavy metal fan) as was I. Billy jammed esp. on She Sells Sanctuary which they played to end the set before encores. While I have been sitting on the fence about the new CD, hearing it live, they won me over. They played War, The Saint, Take The Power, and I think I heard Rise while I am in the ladies room! I was surprised they did not play Nico, which is my favorite song on the CD.

My brother only knew one song, which was Fire Woman. But for Rain, Wild Flower, Edie (Ciao Baby), Love Removal Machine (ended encore and last song they played), She Sells Sanctuary, Lil' Devil, The Witch, Sweet Soul Sister, and Earth Mofo I was in heaven. I am probably forgetting what else they played. Was kind of upset they didn't play my favorite song, Sun King. Oh well.

As I told my brother going in, that the mood of the concert would be determined by how Ian reads the crowd. I've seen Ian jam when a crowd is into the music and I've seen him throw a shitfit and walk off stage yelling, "fuck you, motherfuckers!" when he felt the crowd wasn't into the music. (1990 in Baltimore). So, as I told my brother, I hoped the crowd tonight would be big time Cult fans. They were okay, mostly new fans I thought. Ian called us, "a conservative bunch" and said he was gong to have to work to get us into it. This was half way through the set, they jammed for the rest of it and won a lot of people over.

All in all, a good night. Wish I could be in Atlanta next. Oh, funny thing. I bought a Beyond Good & Evil shirt and they were also selling *old* Electric Tour T-shirts. Would have bought one, but I have my original one from 1987. That was a bit strange, brought back fond memories.

Night,

The concert was awesome. I was able to meet the band before the concert and Matt Sorum was really cool. Billy and Ian were also cool but not too talkative. I think Ian is pretty frustrated again with record sales. He showed his disappointment during the show but non the less, they were awesome. They played new stuff but what was great as usual live was Peace Dog. They played Nirvana, In The Clouds, The Witch, She Sells Sanctuary, Fire Woman, Rise, Breathe, War, Take The Power, Rain, Love Removal Machine, and a few more. Great show and I hope they continue on. Ian was cool as usual and he dressed like he did when they preformed on Jay Leno. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a great show. The band was defintlay on cue.It was increbily loud. There were points in the show where Ian's vocals fell a little short but the Cult doesn't have the easist of vocals. Billy was playing increbily well. He takes it so seriously. Their new bass player rocks. He was really good and full of engery and so was Matt. Their set list was the same but I was very happy with it. A lot of Cult fans made this show. It was very powerful seeing the entire House of Blues singing along to almost every single song. The classics were powerful and the new stuff was really impressive live. I was lucky becuase I made it to the signing sesison before the show. Matt was really cool; Billy was alright and Ian was very aloof. I can't wait to see them tour again.

Though I've enjoyed The Cult's music for some time this was my first live show. Having no other live Cult show experience to compare it to I will go on my knowledge of performing and music. First off the opening band Lennon should have stayed home. I feel The Cult put on a super concert,however I think it could have been better if the stage was larger where Ian could have really put on a show. The music was great. Billy Duffy just tore the place down with great guitar playing and Matt Sorum kept everything on and even keel with good down to earth drumming. The really great thing was the pre-concert signing at Virgin records across the street. If you bought the new CD you received a poster and a wristband which allowed you into a private signing with the band. Since I already had the CD I had to buy another one. I wasn't about to pass up the chance to meet the band and have my CD signed for a lousy $13.00! Now I'm just waiting for them to come around again. They certainly exert a lot of energy and that is what I look for in a live show, much like when I saw Queen and Billy Idol. The Cult rocks!

Back at work today after spending a weekend in Orlando and seeing the Cult this past Saturday night. The place was sold out (2,000+)--I verified this with HOB management--and people were still being turned away at the ticket booths as the show started. I would say around 1,900 paid $35 to see the show and around 100, including myself, paid over $70 a ticket to sit in the 2nd story loge section of the club--an excellent seat to see a show.

The majority of the current 17-song set list was great. In The Clouds, Rain, The Witch, Breathe, The Saint, and Wild Flower were exceptional. However, Ian changed the words around on Take The Power way too much and it lost its momentum. He did this on other songs, most notably War and Nirvana, and they lost some of their punch, as well. I would have loved to have heard Ashes And Ghosts, Shape The Sky, Speed Of Light--those songs are awesome. I agree with Billy's comment on VH-1's Rockshow that although they are only playing songs 1 through 5 off of BG&E live, songs 6 through 12 are as contemporary and relevant as anything out there today.

Musically and performance-wise, Billy D., Matt, Billy M. and the rhythm guitarist were excellent. They really kicked ass. Billy D. and Matt were also very talkative and energetic at the Virgin Records autograph signing earlier that day while Billy M. seemed nervous and a little star struck. Ian's demeanor at the signing was a foreshadow to his behavior later that night.

Disappointingly, the whole set was peppered with Ian's comments in between songs about the crowd being too conservative and disinterested and that the band were just going to have to work on greasing the crowd so that it finds its groove--WHATEVER. Did he notice that the place was packed? The heat coming from the lower level was stifling--how anyone could breathe was amazing. You could feel the heat rising from the floor to the 2nd floor loge level. Ian, If you have a chip on your shoulder about the album not selling or your video not being played or your shows not being promoted--get a new PR firm, agent and/or manager--don't take it out on us.

What is it with bands, today. They want you to act like an idiotic Limp Bizkit crowd--yet they dis bands like that on stage and in the media. Do you really want a Manson-like crowd--people at your show because its fashionable or trendy to be there--or do you want real fans who have been supporting your asses and buying all your records and merchandise for almost two decades. Ian mentioned that the men in the crowd must have felt emasculated and ashamed to get into it. Is slam dancing (yes, kiddies--it's not called moshing--this wasn't a Slayer or Metallica show) or stage diving manly? No--it's stupid.

You always hear bands say things like "if just one kid hears our music and has it positively affect there life--then it is all worth it". Well, apparently, that is all bullshit. You obviously prefer to have stage diving buffoons at your shows than people who know the lyrics to your songs better than you do.

Unfortunately, the night really soured for me before She Sells Sanctuary when Ian said the crowd was scared to get going because they were afraid they would go to Disney jail and would end up sharing a cell with a Rat. Well, Ian, my wife works for that Rat and her salary paid for half of that $70 ticket, half of that $25 t-shirt, half of that $15 cd we had to buy to get a good place in line for your autograph session at Virgin Records (even though I had already bought a copy seven weeks ago) and half of all your box-sets and re-issues. So, you know what, be respectful and contrite. You don't work. You live a dream all of us wish we could live or don't have the courage to try to reach. You sing that you want to be a Saint, that you want to tread holy ground. Funny, instead of being our hero this past Saturday night--you were a Zero.

OK I absolutely love the Cult. But when I saw the tickets were $35 without Monster Magnet, I was kinda bummed. So I went ahead and bought a ticket and went. Now I have been to seven Cult shows. This was the best damn concert I have ever seen, period. Their energy was amazing. Ian didn't seem too into it for some of the show, but he still rocked. Billy has never played so well. (I've also never seen the white Falcon played live ... awesome). I would say that Take The Power and Edie (Ciao Baby) stole the show. Was it worth $35? Hell yea, I'd pay $100 to see them tonight if I could. Oh yea, they did an in store at Virgin before the show. It was cool. Ian was pretty quiet, the guys were joking with everyone.

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