Los Angeles, California, California, Henry Fonda Theater
yeah you know, don't you...... I've been to a lot of cult shows since 87, and one thing is for sure its a
Cult show...seems to me Ian has always wanted the crowd to sell it out for the band ..even on the Sonic
Temple and Ceremony tours when every long haired stoner Mexican from the valley was drunk off their ass
scorching an altered bic lighter that shot 12" flames in the sky in one hand... and throwing up the heavy
metal sign in their other hand, the same one threw up at the Scorpions, Motley Crue and Quiet Riot
shows...the week before..like he needed more, but hey whatever ..its always been the same..its never gunna
change...but I think that once you have played in front of 300,000 thou like at Reading or 100,000 like
Wembly,,,trying to get that high again must be like chasing that next hit of crack. for shizzle my grizzel.
Anyways..I was tripping when I got there..a lit aftermath of the 80's and all that bad acid...so I was
flexed ..and saw Rob Chevelle in line and said hi...and met his lil sweetie and of course jumped back into
line about 20 people ahead where a saw another friend from my 12 step past....and about twenty people asked
to buy my tickets on the way up there, I almost took the 150.00 for the pair...and split,,,but oh well...I
went in and sat in the balcony right in the center about 3 rows up...I could of spit on the stage from
there. so me and my Indian woman just kicked it..and every time I saw Rob Chevelle start a conversation
with somebody else...I would tap him on the shoulder and mutter some bullshit about the Cult, and how I even
got a Cult trash liner from Disneyland...give you heart attack. and the place is a theater like the old palace
except a lil smaller, bar in back the floor section, and a balcony...and casino carpeting...gouty gold paint
on everything and bordello wallpaper...anyways, it was a cool joint. and the band came out strong, proud and
revved up..it was good watching from the balcony, instead of some farmer elbowing me in the ribs all night to
get 6 inches closer.......and the diamond of the show for me was Wonderland, because..well I love that
song ...I lil weaker like than I expected ..but awesome. hey bottom line I'm glad all the lil Cult darlings
are happy with the same 10 core songs for the last 4 tours..but I'm not. I love the Cult, Death Cult, Ian
solo..love the music..will never pay again to see the same core set I've seen over 10 times in a row..and if
you've been there, maybe you feel the same way to. there came a time when I said yeah..I'm never going to pay
to go see Aerosmith again, like around "Crying" and this is it ..love the music, tired of the same show over
and over. .....till next time....
Paul
I too have been to many Cult shows since 1987. First show I went to was at the Long Beach arena when Guns N'
Roses opened for them on the Electric tour. Saw them again on new years eve for the Sonic Temple tour at Long
Beach. Both shows were phenomenal. I agree with the previous reviewer on their description of the historic
run down theater as far as the paint, carpet and its ombience. The set was typical with its core songs but I
believe the other reviewer missed the fact that they are not out promoting some album for some profit hungry
major record company but came to play the kick ass songs that their true fans came hoping to hear. They were
not out trying to appeal to make new fans. Ian did poke fun as the LA WEELY for its horrible review. I think
the person that wrote that review has never even been to a Cult show. Maybe they should have come on Tuesday
before writing such jibberish. I too was asked by more people looking for extra tickets than any show I've
gone to in the past couple of years, but I wasnt going to sell my ticket no matter how much those unfortunate
souls were willing to pay. I came to rock out and the Cult delivered one hell of a show. After 30 plus years
singing Ian's voice is as strong as ever. He really proved that on Tuesday during the acoustic version of
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon, which is my favorite from the Love album. The new highlight was Wonderland
from the Ceremony album which as been an album they have not really pulled material from over the years.
Billy was playing so hard on guitar I can't believe how he is so overlooked on these so called 100 greatest
guitarist lists. Tuesday night he ripped it apart. I also found a great seat up in the balcony and the
sound up there was great. I have never been to a concert where my ears hurt afterwards but when I got home I
took a couple of asprins cause my head was still pounding. As I left to go home my wife and daughter suprised
me with an instant live CD of the show which was totally awesome. Got to listen to it on the way home. I'm
hoping that they swing back around for another show because 4 years between tours is too long and I don't care
if they play the same setlist its still always great to see and hear one of the greatest bands to ever play.
Shannon
I too have seen The Cult Many times. AT least 25 times including about 8 Holy Barbarians shows, The first Holy
Barbarians gig I went to involved a 19 hour road trip to Cleveland and ended in hitting a UPS truck at 70 MPH
(on the way home from the show) I think I am qualified to say "I'm a true fan" and I feel that a True fan is
tired of Wild Flower, Fire Woman, Lil' Devil.. the list goes on. It's the same set list
since Electric came out. I'm glad you had a good time Shannon, in the long run that's all that matters but I'm
on board with Paul. This appeasing to the average fan is really annoying.. I usually enjoy 3 songs every time
I see the Cult because I'm so sick of seeing the same show but I can't stay at home knowing that my favorite
band is in town, so I go. I must say Wonderland and Brother Wolf; Sister Moon are well worth the
$65 I paid, and War, Spiritwalker and Rise hit the spot. I don't want to dis on the band
but I was hoping that when they said "we want to connect with the fans" that they would connect with the people
who Pitched out $100 for Rare cult box sets (or demo box sets) and B' sides and the people who travel all over
the country every chance they get when they do tour. I think if they wanted to connect to what a Cult fan really
is (the outsiders, the people who dispise Repeat radio stations that play the same 19 songs all day) they would
pull out some rarities. Anyone else want to hear The River or how about Hollow Man or Soul
Asylum or any song from The Cult. They continue to skip songs from what I believe to be there finest work.
I think they are selling out to the people who only know 3 CULT songs. Just listening to people around me at
the show enforced the fact that people are clueless. One guy thought Spiritwalker was a new song. And
then thought that War and Rise must be " covers". The connection is lost. I say to myself I will
never see them again but I know I will.
I saw a lot of people having a good time, not sure if it was genuine or not but I really feel that if they want
to connect and make the "true fans" really enjoy a special night, they would pull out the gems, the unspoiled
gems that turn Cult fans into Cult fans, not brainwashed KROQ listeners. The Saints are Down in Hollywood.....
Maybe if enough fans voice their opinion they will put on a "no hits show"....Better yet, just play The Cult.
Mike MacLelland (the dude abides)
I was in LA for business the first week of March and caught the show at the Henry Fonda Theatre on Hollywood
Boulevard. Unbelievable............as always. 22 songs including Spiritwalker, Revolution,
Phoenix, Dreamtime and lots of post 1987 stuff. Matt Sorum was in the audience. Billy looked great.
Mike the Mad dog was on rhythym but I dont know who was on bass and drums. But, they were rock steady and sounded
like the studio musicians. No opening act. Maybe 500 people. I bought the CD that they burn right after the show
for $25.00, its a double cd set. The business meeting sucked, and the band rocked. I live in CT and will be seeing
them this wednesday and sunday in Boston and NYC!!! Stay tuned.
Marty
Setlist
Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
The Witch
Wild Flower
Revolution
Spiritwalker
In The Clouds
Wonderland
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon
Rise
Rain
Fire Woman
Peace Dog
War
Encore 1:
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Phoenix
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore 2:
Love Removal Machine