New York, New York, Nokia Live
The show last night at the Nokia theathre ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!! They
played for almost 2hrs. Ian was really happy with the crowd.
I was about 5 feet from the stage. No moshhing really. People where
jumping around and dancing but nothing too violent.
They played a song called Libertine which was only released on the
last album in Australia.
It was cool to hear Spiritwalker and The Phoenix live.
I bought a live cd. Will listen to it today and post the rest of the
set list. They played pretty much the same stuff from other shows on
the tour.
Ian was cracking on My Space users. He seemend really happy and
into it. Billy cracked a couple of jokes also. I thought John
Tempesta REALLY ROCKED on Drums. Chris Wyse and Mike Demekitch
played strong also.
Oh yeah, on the 2nd song Ian got pissed at someone in the crowd. It
was not near where I was so I do not know exactly what happened.
I hope they come back and do more dates this summer.
Sorry but I did not take any pics. Alot of people did though.
Well thats my report. Have a rockin one...
Dave-NYC
I have to let the band know what an excellent show they put on! Back in the day
we would of said it " kicked ass man!." I was apprehensive about getting close
to the stage again, back in the day "me little ass would of been thrown to the
floor" but, I figured it was an "older crowd" and I took my chances. The band was
so great, it was such a relief to actually go see a band and have them sound so
incredible. Ian was awesome and Billy was just as fabulous as he use to be (I saw
them at the Ritz in NYC a few hundred years ago.)
Ian said he felt sorry for the kids who had to listen to what is out there today,
and I totally agree. The Cult rocked, they were completely tight, and the show was
the best show I have seen in years! Thanks to the band for making the night such a
fun and memorable experience for me.
Kristan
Deep in the heart of the neon nightmare of Times Square, Lies the Nokia Theatre.
Behind a video montaged facade offering up video images of tonights guests
and a red "Sold Out" stamp The Nokia's interior reminded me of a
multiplex cinema. Taking an escalator into the depths of the building we
first stood in line to obtain a wristband to buy alcohol. This was all
well and good until we discovered your wristband entitles you to buy ONE
drink, per wristband shown!! Which meant he had to pull me though the
(Almost) Uk mobbed bar to flash mine for another ridiculously priced small
can of Heineken. The audotorium itself the space is of a similar size to
the Town and Country Club in good old Kentish Town, without a balcony. In
its place a raised area of "Bleacher" Style seats. Down stairs the main
floor with raised areas on either side. We were able to secure a place
fairly close on Duffy's side of the stage.
Sometime after 9pm the intro tape from a "Clockwork Orange" rang out and
the boys took to the stage to that cheesy old chestnut Lil' Devil Astbury
sounding on form. Duffy's placed his foot on his monitor for the next
track Sweet Soul Sister which also featured the Dufster on Backing vox.
Next Chris Wyse's distorted bass introduced The Witch.
Astbury took time to welcome the crowd and address a fight that had broken
out a couple of minutes before hand "Take that Violence to the middle
east, plenty of violence for you there!" he shouted before Duffy kicked off
Electric Ocean.
In The Clouds next, its simple drop D riff laying down a thick mud
splattered groove. Duffy finally doffed his black leather and donned his '75
White Falcon for an Authentic reading of '84's Spiritwalker A trilogy
from "Love" followed with Rain, Revolution and a powerful
rendition of Brother Wolf; Sister Moon.
As I had been crossing my legs for a while a bathroom break was sorely
needed during Ceremony's Wonderland but I was able to enjoy the song
whilst relieving myself thanks to the handily placed speakers in the
polished bathroom.
Astbury stated that "They weren't gonna fuck around anymore" and he wasnt
joking as the two chord crunch of Peace Dog blared out.
Astbury related the B side Libertine to 1776 next. Duffy Spoke to the
crowd next thanking us for "the warm response to that obscure track" he
continued in his cheeky mancunian way "maybe we should have put it on the
record!" still in drop D Rise was next. Afterwards Duffy was once again
in a chatty mood and introduced the band before saying "You know me, you
know him, you'll know this!" boot on monitor once again for Wild Flower
Firewoman closed out the main set. Stools and accoustic in hand Duffy
and Astbury delivered an unplugged version of Edie (Ciao Baby) The rest of the band
marched back onto the stage for the Wah driven The Phoenix pointed boots and
goths were addressed for She Sells Sancturary before the band left the
stage again, only to return a final time for a crunching final bow of
Love Removal Machine.
Arses well and truly kicked my brother and I headed off to meet the rest
of our group at the nearby bar St Andrews.
So bottom line probably the best Cult show yet and easily the best vocal
performance from Astbury.
Cheers
Steve
The Cult are apparently revitalised after a three and a half year hiatus, judging by
the DC, AC, and NY shows the other night. It wasn't the same shows note- for- note every
night like the 2001 tour became, each show was somewhat different. These were probably
the best shows I've seen The Cult put on.
Friends bought me tickets to see last three shows on this tour for my birthday in
February, and it seemed like a long wait after that until the shows, but well worth it.
I arrived at the 9.30 Club in DC quite early, at about 11.30 actually, and the road crew
were just showing up. I met them and talked with them for a minute and then the long wait
to get in started.
Once inside, when the shows started, tambourines, guitar picks, and drumsticks were flying
everywhere at all three shows. I managed to catch one of John's drumsticks and two of
Billy's guitar picks in DC, and another pick in AC.
In DC, I think Billy saw me holding up a vinyl pressing of the 'Love' record, because later
he asked "Is anybody here from Tampa?", which I think was a reference to me: I've gone
considerable distances from where I live near Tampa to see The Cult, I've met Billy and Ian
several times and when I do I always make it a point to mention that I've travelled from
Tampa to see the show, and as soon as he asked about Tampa, he threw a brown guitar pick
right at me- which I grabbed and still have.
Spoke with John Tempesta and Mike Dimkitch in AC, where they also signed my ticket, and John
again in NY, where he signed the drumstick from DC. John's a really cool guy and a great
drummer, I hope he gets the permanent job as Cult's drummer. He's easily the best drummer
The Cult have had. The NY show was good, but Ian's mic needed to be turned up louder. During
Libertine it was difficult to hear his vocals at all.
For me, highlights of the three performances were Libertine, Wonderland with a
different beginning, Electric Ocean, The Phoenix and Brother Wolf; Sister
Moon, even though this particular song was shortened- I wonder why they omitted Billy
solos during this song? As phenomenal as this song sounded live, it would have been even
better had they played the full rendition of it. At soundchecks the band played two of my
favourites: American Horse and Nirvana, they did not play them during the actual
concerts, so it was an extra treat to hear them during soundchecks
Met up with many Cult fans along the way: MMMike and his wife, CultinMD, luvastbury, Piers,
Giuseppe, ape astbury and many others in DC, AC, and NY whose names I can't remember now, and
a really cute little girl [Nicky?] at the NY show, who unfortunately was scared away by some
drunken bald hammerhead trying to start a mosh pit.
I think I only slept about 12 hours from last Wednesday to this Thursday, I was hallucinating
by the time I arrived home I was so tired. Overall though, a great time was had by all.
Special thanks to Nancy, and especially cultfan76 [Sonya] and Will: thank you, thank you so
much for your kindness and generosity. If you're ever in Tampa/ St Petersburg area Florida and
need a place to stay, by all means, contact me.
Rick
Setlist
Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
The Witch
Electric Ocean
In the Clouds
Spiritwalker
Rain
Revolution
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon
Wonderland
Peace Dog
Libertine
Rise
Wild Flower
Fire Woman
Encore 1:
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Phoenix
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore 2:
Love Removal Machine