Cleveland, Ohio, House Of Blues
The Cult were in top form at the Cleveland House of Blues on Saturday, March 18. With no
opening band to endure, an evening with the Cult was a memorable one. The Dynamic Duo of Ian
Astbury and Billy Duffy were accompanied on this tour by Cult veterans Mike Dimkich and bassist
Chris Wyse, along with Rob Zombie/Testament drumming ace John Tempesta. It was a sold out
crowd of 1200 people. Everyone had a good demeanor except for some killjoy throwing ice from
the balcony.
The ever critical Ian Astbury couldn't resist making jabs at Coldplay, who, along with Richard
Ashcroft, are playing the Quiken Loans Arena Monday night. They were referred to as "Enya for
men."
The soundsystem was fantastic. The Cult also added a few extra treatments to some of the
songs. Spiritwalker sounded updated, but not over modernized. Gone had a more
melodic intro than the album version. Some outer space effects were also heard during War.
She Sells Sanctuary sounded just like it did on a dozen Love tour bootlegs I have heard
over the years.
Instant Live, the mobile unit that records shows and sells them to fans immediately after that
show, is a real blessing for hardcore fans of any band. It is my belief that the Instant Live
mobile unit prompts the bands to mix up the setlist from show to show. No fan will have a
reason to buy the Dallas show if the setlist is identical to the New York show, the Vegas show,
or the Chicago show. The band played an acoustic version of Star and switched out
Electric Ocean from the previous evening for The Phoenix. The real treat, however,
came during the second encore. When Billy Duffy started to talk about how good the sound was
in this particular House of Blues and Ian Astbury announced they would experiment by playing a
song from the Australian release of Beyond Good and Evil, I had to pinch myself. The treat was
the song Libertine; a song that has only been played maybe once or twice in L.A. and/or
at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000. Tonight's rendition of Libertine was more
bombastic and thunderous than the studio version. John Tempesta's drumming at the beginning
and end of the song reminded me of Slayer's Reign in Blood, but with a slower tempo. Playing
Libertine was such an impressive gesture to the fans at that show that I lined up for a
copy of tonight's The Cult Instant Live. I felt it was ten times better then witnessing them
play White at the Toledo 2001 show because of the on-stage energy.
The band joked that it could be a while again before they come to town, and that the crowd
better enjoy themselves. That statement didn't seem even half earnest to me. I suspect, or
maybe I hope, that this tour was just a test market for more to come. That "more" being a
new album and a larger tour within the next year. And when they do tour again, they are going
to have to pull out all the stops. Tonight's show is going to be tough to beat.
James Joel Sitterly - billyduffyrocks@hotmail.com
Went to the show last night, and it was amazing! They rocked! The sound was fantastic, no
problems here. Got the Instant Live Cd, fantastic. Well anyway, we ate at the HOB and got a
"pass the line" slip and got in before the general public. Myself and my friend were right up
front. They were in a real playful mood, and did a few extra's for us, they said they were
feeling it tonight! Well I think the place just about passed out when they ripped into
Libertine. Also did Star acoustic! Spiritwaker was amazing! They really
had the crowd going, and I think that they could feel our energy. It was out of this world!
Shannon
Must see band! Just one hell of a rockin' outfit. It's Sunday evening and I'm still reeling.
I've seen just about all of the great rock acts since '70 and just when you think live rock
is fading, this band just totally blew my head off! John Yempesta alone is worth the price of
admission. New York city....Get ready!
Jerome
I witnessed the boys over the weekend at Cleveland's House of Blues after a six hour drive from
distant Bloomington, Indiana to my hometown. The sound in particular that evening was
uncharacteristically crisp and tolerable. Not overblown in the least and all levels felt perfect. The
atmosphere was cool with nary a drop of sweat to be found. The perfect conditions for a full-tilt
sold-out performance and gathering of the tribe.
Ian was in especially rare form as compared to other shows I've seen (Cult Rising Tour 1999
Cleveland Agora Theater and BG&E tour Congress Theatre June 2001 Chicago). Every note was
nailed with a more mature and capable voice that just seems to get better with each show. He
and Billy seemed like they were having more fun performing together this time around and
conversation and interaction with the fans was especially high. Billy was unusually exhuberant,
more talkative and comedic than I have ever seen him. Ian went through what seemed to be a
dozen or so tambourines, each eventually found it's way into the throes of the crowd. At one
point, a swiftly drop-kicked tambourine erupted at the front of the stage with a flurry of
tambourine cymbals shimmering in midair in the beams of stage lights. Following the song, Ian
commented about giving the closest fans a moment to pull the splinters from their foreheads.
Encore one was an intimate and unexpected moment with only Astbury and Duffy on stage
treating the fans to acoustic renditions of Edie (Ciao Baby) and Star off of 1995's
self-titled release. Everyone knew this was special moment. Edie was showered with fans joining the
chorus. The appreciation evident by the fan's reactions.
Another highlight of the show for me was the first live performance of Libertine off the
Australian Beyond Good & Evil release. Billy's comment with regard to the song was that it was
the may have played it once before at The Viper Room before the release of BG&E. He also
added, that it was the first song they had written for the release and it somehow never made it's
way on the American CD. It felt like they thought that the American fans had been cheated
somewhat by this, and they were right, as it is a thoroughly bombastic track that all fans should
know. A spare nmber of us sang along to the song, feeling pretty damn good that we were
among the few, but at the same time wishing everyone else could've known it and enjoyed it as
we did!
These guys are definitely at a point in their careers, and you can tell, that they have crossed
over the thresholds of the highs, lows, desparity and disagreements; the rough events of the
past smoothed over and swept aside. Ian and Billy are performing as a nearly unequaled pair
and are having one hell of a fun time doing it on their own terms. They are rock royalty and
masters of rock musicianship, yet they remain humble and true to themselves and the fans.
Jamie
So I saw the Cult on Saturday (3/18/06), in the Cleveland House of Blues. I think I know why
they're called the Cult, 'cause it was practically a religious experience. It was only my
sixth concert, maybe? That being said, I've never seen the Cult before, but I'd give an arm
and a leg to do it again.
The doors opened at 7:30, but the band didn't go on until 9ish. I got right up front fast,
maybe for rows of people back. By the time they started playing, I couldn't feel my toes
(they're still tingly), but it didn't matter at that point. The curtains rose, and they went
right into Lil' Devil. Amazing. They went right into Sweet Soul Sister after that,
and everyone knew every word.
Ian started cracking jokes about Coldplay, which was pretty funny. His rambles in general are
usually pretty amusing.
I can't really remember when he started throwing tambourines, but a guy in front of me caught one.
Suffice it to say, I was jealous. I have no shame, so I'm standing there, yelling in Ian's
direction that I love him. (I was really loud right at the quiet part of Brother Wolf, Sister
Moon. Go me.)
After the big political hunk of the show, well, during Revolution, actually, Ian sent one
of his tambourines flying...and, yesssss, I caught it. I was clinging to the damn thing. For the
whole concert, I was holding it to my chest. I think I may be emotionally attached to the thing.
Wonderland was absolutely awesome. It was heavy, a good headbanger. I've had it stuck in
my head ever since.
The acoustic set was cool, too. Edie (Ciao Baby) was great, everybody was really into it.
I wasn't expecting Star, I don't think anyone was. But that was awesome, too.
Now, of course, the highlight of my night, (aside from the tambourine catching) was when they
played The Pheonix. My absolutely favorite Cult song ever. They played it perfectly, just
perfectly. Hearing She Sells Sanctuary right after was great, too.
The only song I hadn't heard from the set was Libertine. I don't think anyone knew it, but
it was fucking awesome. Really heavy, just great. Billy was right, it is their headbangiest song
ever.
With all this said, the whole concert was something I'll never forget, which is saying a lot,
considering that I've only reached the matronly age of 14.
I can't wait for The Cult to come to the Pittsburgh area so I can see them again!
Loves, Jamie
The cleveland show rocked!!!! I've seen over 100 shows and I will now have to put that show in my
top 5. I've seen shows from the Circle Jerks, Fear, Ramones, U2 backstage, Aerosmith backstage,
partying with the Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill, the list goes on. The cleveland show was amazing.
It's been a very long time that I have seen people that don't even know each other, high 5ing each
other after a show. If you responde to this email I would like to tell your more about what I
really thought of the show and about their new song and the whole spotlight on the gutiar player
thing. What I really am looking for is the video/dvd of the cleveland show. is there one?
Mike Peck
We attended the show at House of Blues Cleveland, the 13th scheduled stop on the tour. As an avid
Cult fan I can say without reservation that this was the best show I’ve seen them perform; the only
other performance I’ve seen that came close was the reunion tour in ’99 prior to the release of
BG&E.
The band seemed to love the room and the soundstage; they played for almost two hours and treated
us of course to a pumped-up rendition of Libertine. I wouldn't have even mentioned that song
had I not seen it on the site already, to the benefit of those who might see their remaining shows;
it's a nicer surprise if you don't expect it in their set. A word of advice: if they offer the live
CD of the show you’re attending, then you’re a fool if you don’t pick it up. It was only twenty-five
for a two-disk set cut from the show’s soundboard signal, which I thought was a pretty good deal to
commemorate such a great performance. The production holds up against a lot of studio releases,
though the levels could have been a bit higher... easily enough fixed at home on the PC,
anyway.
I was surprised by the inclusion of Wonderland in the set; I’m a big fan of the Ceremony LP
though I know it’s not one of the band’s favorites. They also threw in a beautiful acoustic version
of Edie (Ciao Baby), together with an acoustic Gone in the middle of the set, and the
self-titled '94 album was well-represented. Naturally there were plenty of old favorites thrown in;
most notably Rain with a nice long intro.
Teased by the live performance of Libertine, I subsequently I bought the Rise promo
release from overseas which contains that elusive little track (as do both the Australian & Japanese
releases of BG&E). I can’t for the life of me understand how such a stellar work escaped the studio
release of the BG&E LP here in the US. I think hearing them play that song to cap off the show
really made the whole evening.
Kudos to The Cult for keeping it up all these years; there aren’t very many bands who still seem to
care about making real rock and roll. Dare we hope for another studio release? Fingers crossed.
Andrew Jensen
Setlist
Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
The Witch
Peace Dog
Revolution
Spiritwalker
In The Clouds
Wonderland
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon
Gone
Rise
Rain
Fire Woman
Wild Flower
War
Encore 1:
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Star
Phoenix
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore 2:
Libertine
Love Removal Machine