Southampton, England, Guildhall

After 5 very long years The Cult finally returned to their home turf for their biggest tour here is over 12 years! For a few of us die hard fans who do not wish to think of waiting another 5 or even 12 years for a Cult UK tour it was a chance to hit the road like the good old days and follow Ian and Billy around the UK. Luckily Southampton is only an hour’s drive from London so it almost felt like a local gig. The Guildhall is a grand old fashioned town hall in the city centre with a capacity of around 2500. The main hall being all standing made for a good old fashioned gig and helped provide the atmosphere that so often lacks at bigger all seated gigs.

At 915pm the opening cords to Lil Devil blasted through the PA right through to the very last notes of She Sells Sanctuary Ian and Billy never let slip once. A few hitches with the sound at the start were soon sorted with Ian jokingly acknowledging he had thrown his toys out the pram let us all know they were in good spirits. Football was also a popular topic with Billy taunting the local support of their league standing in the first division and even worse mentioning Portsmouth but once he reminded the crowd of his own love for Man City and having once played in the third division all was forgotten. It was great to see them back and with a 5000 sell out Brixton Academy gig beckoning tomorrow and the trip north to Leeds and Glasgow to follow it looks like being a triumphant return of The Cult. Long Live The Cult!

Keith Howison

Setlist

Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
Electric Ocean
The Witch
Revolution
Spiritwalker
Rain
Wonderland
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Fire Woman
Peace Dog
Rise
Wild Flower
Love Removal Machine

Encore

The Phoenix
She Sells Sanctuary