I've seen a number of shows in support of "Beyond Good & Evil" and to say this one was a surprise is an understatement. It ranked up with the best I've seen so far. Ian's voice was in very fine form and the rest of the guys were as tight as they were back in July/August.

I was looking forward to hearing True Believers, which was tremendous, but the real treat was getting to see American Gothic played for the first time on stage. After the show I, with my Cult partner in crime Laura Singleton, got to talk with Matt Sorum. He told us they had rehearsed it for the first time earlier in the day and Ian had said he wanted to try it that night. It sounded great and Ian looked really pleased with the enthusiastic reception it got.

The same thing happened with Ashes And Ghosts. Ian was beaming that the new stuff went down so well. At one point he said to the crowd that they'd reminded him why he does what he does.

For those like myself who expected pretty much the same set as this summer with the shows they're headlining, it was nice to see things switched up a bit. While I really liked hearing Nirvana in the encore, Sun King was certainly a welcome substitute.

It's a shame the tour is winding down as the new songs keep getting better each time out. I'm already looking forward to the next show.

I'm surprised I'm the first to post about the show. I would've posted last night, but my phone was being tempermental. Anyway, the show *absolutely* kicked ass! I had a great view and enjoyed the hell out of myself. They even debuted a new song last night!

However, it didn't start out that well. Parking at the club was $15! I don't even pay that in Chicago unless it's valet parking at a hotel. (I suspect that it was so high to balance out the low attendance, judging by the free ticket vouchers I saw laying around.) And the security was *unreal*! First, you had to get your ID checked at a computer scanning station, to get your entrance wristband. Then we were told no purses were allowed in, so we went back to the car and put everything in the trunk rather than trust the coat check area. After that, we had to get patted down by security, who even examined all the things on my key ring in my pocket. So then we finally get into the club area, but there's no equipment set up on the small stage. It was only after I was talking in the bathroom line (a 500+ venue has one bathroom stall for women, and 4 for men-hmm...) that I found out that I needed to go past the bar area with the small stage into the larger ballroom area. (thanks to who ever you were for that info!) I guess they assume everyone at the show knew where they were supposed to go.

So my friend and I get to the ballroom stage area-which is much bigger-and see that the first band is setting up. (Matt's kit takes up a huge chunk of stage as always. Nice to see that his cases finally say The Cult on them too.) We decide to head over to the left side of the stage, where there were fewer people. We wind up second row-which was great. Too bad we had to suffer through another lame opening band. The start of the set they had the drums way too high, and the floor underneath me was vibrating so much I was getting sick. Their singer/DJ was of the "ugly bald guy screaming at you" variety-he thought he was Kid Rock or something. The other singer swore constantly, like he was trying too hard to be cool. Mercifully, their set was only 35 minutes, and the idiot they had in the audience dancing stupidly and bumping into people went with them.

I know I've been to too many Cult shows, because I can recognize their road crew-the sound guy and Matt's drum tech starting setting up right away. No curtain, and the intro tape was not turned up much. The band took the stage to Rise, and completely rocked from start to finish. Matt must've been cold because he had a knit cap on for half the show, and kept his shirt on the whole time-a rarity for him. We were so close to the stage that I could see the naked chick stickers on Mike's guitar, and all of Billy M's ink and piercings. Ian had a black leather jacket on all night, but as hot as he was I'm surprised he kept it on. Billy D. looked very tired and out of breath most of the night-I wonder if he's sick.

So we got Rise, Peace Dog, and Rain-all well done. I'm totally jamming and having a great time. Then Ian announces that they're debuting a new song tonight from BG&E-good to promote that album-and they launch into American Gothic! I feel honored that I was at a show where a new song was being played live for the first time ever. It was great-Matt worked those drums hard! Halfway through the song, some people who had been there to see the first band left, clearing the way for me to be in the front row! I couldn't believe my luck-it made the show even better for me. Billy M. smiled at me a couple times, but spent most of his time flirting with some other women nearby, who got backstage passes later from the band's chick wrangler.

From BG&E we heard Rise, Take The Power, American Gothic, Ashes And Ghosts (Billy M's voice sounded really sexy on that one-he's not a bad singer), True Believers and War during the encore. The other songs (not in order) were Peace Dog, Rain, Edie (Ciao Baby), The Witch, Fire Woman, She Sells Sanctuary, Sweet Soul Sister, and Wild Flower.

Billy M. took off his shirt for the encore, and I must say he likes pain. Not only does he have a pierced tongue, lower lip, both nipples, and his navel pierced, but his new tattoo takes up the entire middle of his back! It's a scroll of Chinese characters-very nice looking, but I'm sure it was painful to get done. But he really needs to work on those pecs-they were just not muscular enough.

The encore was War, Sun King (Matt was totally going nuts during this, including putting one stick in his teeth so he could smack the gong and not miss a beat.) and Love Removal Machine. I started jumping during Love Removal Machine because my feet were totally asleep and I knew I would need them soon). Matt passed out sticks, and the chick next to me grabbed the one he was trying to hand to me-you bitch.

An absolutely fabulous show! The crowd was well behaved, and Ian didn't have to yell at anyone for not being into it. There were about three guys that were front row center who spent the entire night immobile with their mouths hanging open. I know some people like to get high because it makes shows more fun for them, but there's a difference between a happy buzz and being excessively stoned. And certain people's girlfriends need to be reminded that once you leave the front row, you can't just squeeze your way up there any time you want.

I got to meet Matt again after the show-he signed a few things and posed for a couple of pictures with me too-he was nice and sweet as always. Definitely a wonderful way to end an incredible evening!

Yes!! Milwaukee definitely rocked last night! This was my first Cult show and I'm sure some people were upset w/ my wild dancin' & horribly outta tune singin' but fuck em, I was having such a good time w/ the coolest band in the world!

I was SO happy when they kicked into Sun King..one of personal faves!

And American Gothic..wow! Black star, white liiiight!! HELL YEAH!! Peace Dog was groovin and I rocked my ass off to The Witch.

I do have one complaint though..the first 3 rows it seemed was mostly stationary..which is fuckin nuts. This is a Cult show people!! Wake up! Theres really no excuse to stand there fuckin stoned outta yer minds and be pricks to everyone behind you (thanks for the numerous elbows in the side! Fun.) Move a little, get into the music. If you wanted to be immobile why didn't you stand at the back? Make room for the Hip Shakers, baby!

I was lucky enough to find one of Billy's picks on the floor too. They were hard to see cuz they're clear w/ blue letters.

After the show I got my Pure Cult cd signed by Matt who was just incredibly sweet! I also gave him something from me to pass onto Ian (who was happily watching Rugby via satellite).

Overall, it was an amazing night,it turned out better than I had ever imagined.

Ahhh..my soul is at peace. :0)

Yes indeedy, what a show. Props out to the Rave for ***NOT*** having their shit together. We went from the front enterance, to the side, back to the front, back to side, back to the front. Stood in the WRONG line, until someone (who must have had a clue) saw my CULT leather and was nice enough to tell us we where to go. After going to the CORRECT door came the pat down. Now who knows what I could have brought in there!! I got maybe 3 pats and allowed through. ??? Not very heavy security there, when the OTHER lines I was first in, was back up because of searches.

Now for the show. Finest one I've seen. It's nice to be a part of a show that's bringing out new songs live for a show that sounded great. American Gothic was just TOO SWEEEEETT! Maybe it was the Jack 'n Cokes but the buzz was good and steady. As for the "3 monkeys" it's always enjoyable to "keep you all in line" And to Pee - Thanks for the 'Cheeky Monkey' and where are MY PIX!!!

Added another stick from Matt who, as always, was nice enough to sign it for me. Thanks.

A great weekend wasted only by driving 12 hours, but well worth it.

I thought this show was one of the best Cult shows I have ever seen. Even though we had to sit through an extremely brutal opening band that had two of the guys thinking they were Kid Rock and Eminem, the evening was very good. I must say that I can't believe what a so-called Cult fan posted about three guys in the front row that were immobile and had their mouths open throughout the whole show. Well, I was part of that group of 5 Cult fans that this person was referring to, and I must say that 2 of them were first timers for a Cult show so they must not have known that it is supposedly a must to act completely crazy when you go see The Cult. You see, everyone has their own way of enjoying The Cult in concert, and I myself happened to have a real sore throat the next day, but those guys enjoyed the show just as much as the rest of us. We must have been doing something right if Ian slapped our hands numerous times during the show. At one point my friend had his hand out reaching for Ian but no contact was made, so he yelled Ian's name out and Ian came right over to high five his hand. So it's clear that Mr. Astbury had no complaints about us "Immobile people" in the front row. If you were half the Cult fan that we are, maybe you should get to the show a little earlier so you can get front row dead center, because it sure is a great view. It sounds like you were watching more of us than the show. Peace out!!!

Rise
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Rain
American Gothic
Take The Power
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Witch
Sweet Soul Sister
Ashes And Ghosts
True Believers
Wild Flower
Fire Woman
She Sells Sanctuary
War
Sun King
Love Removal Machine