Leeds, England, Leeds University
Its the band I have always wanted to see live and never managed to get to a
gig in the 80's or 90's.
What a treat! Ian, Billy and the band treated a packed Refectory at Leeds to
a 90 minute masterclass in rock, while the 2000 plus strong crowd rolled
from the front line to the very back of the Refectory (scene of the famous
'Who Live at Leeds' album).
Ian's vocals were amazing and Billy hammered out classic chord after classic
chord and inch perfect guitar licks. I've seen plenty of concerts in my time
but I can without doubt say that this was the best I've ever seen . . . a
gold plated classic.
If you read this and have never been to a Cult gig, its definitely one of
the things to put on your list of 'must do's' before you die . . .
absolutely brilliant!
Keef, Beverley, UK
I have always been a fan of The Cult. But have never seen them live until now.
The doors opened at 7.00pm but they did not come on stage until after 9.00. There was
no support, so the crowed were becoming restless by this time. However when they came
on they were all I expected them to be. They opened with Lil’ Devil, and continued
with all the classics, such a Rise. Spiritwalker, Peace Dog, Love Removal Machine,
Revolution, Edie, finishing with She Sells Sanctuary in the encore, and lots more that
I can’t remember because I was to busy enjoying to show to take note. It was a powerful
performance, and Billy Duffy was great on guitar, he made it look so easy. Lots of
tambourines were thrown of the stage by Ian, but I wasn’t lucky enough to catch one.
There was quite a bit of banter between Ian and Billy, and to the crowd. Really
enjoyed it, would love to see them again.
Lynne White
Saw the Cult at Leeds on Saturday and they were excellent. Last time I saw them was in
1987 where the set then consisted mainly of the dreamtime album and Love Album.
They were awesome on Saturday, Billy Duffy must be one of the best guitarirst of all
time and the drummer at the moment is terrific the only time i have heard louder heavier
drums was watching NIN last year at Manchester Apollo. Anyway they havent lost it and
eased there way through their greatest hits. Pity they didnt play Horse Nation! Ian
Astbury still looks like Jim Morrison at the mo and How hot was it in the Uni on saturday?
Steven Hill
After waiting 15 years to see The Cult, largely due to their huge popularity
in the States, this was something I was not going to miss. And I was not
disappointed as it genuinely was one of the greatest rock gigs I've ever
seen.
Whereas most bands only play tours to sell a few exreas copies of the their
latest CD, here is a band that isn't ashamed to give the crowd what they
want and stick to the classics. Having taken a huge amount of time to appear
(no support act and a lot of standing around - the only sore point) Ian and
Billy arrived looking older but healthier than they probably ever have. They
launched into a blistering Lil' Devil and foillowed up with the majestic
Sweet Soul Sister and even slipped Electric Ocean from Electric into the
opening salvo. The pace continued as the faithful were treated to an
acoustic Edie, Spritwalker, Wild Flower, Wonderland and a tumultuous
Sanctuary to end the night.
They sounded brilliant. Two guiatrs, drums, bass, that's it. And Ian was the
consumate frontman, working the crowd, dismissing younger bands as rubbish
and goading the crowd. Referring to bands like Wolfmother, who have a sound
not dissimilar to The Cult in their Sonic Temple hey-day, Ian said: "I use
ALL my lungs to sing", and he really does. "We used to get slaughtered for
playing that kind of music, slaughtered. Morrssey used to come round and
make us cups of tea to make us feel better," he said.
Well, tea from miserable crooners aside, it is hard to imagine a more
rocktastic night in Yorkshire or everywhere else. Long live The Cult.
Patrick Smith
I first saw the Southern Death Cult in 1982 supporting my then favourite band
Theatre of Hate, and I have seen them many times in all their incarnation's since,
but I can't remember enjoying myself as much as I did at Leeds Uni on saturday
night. I am now a 42 year old, married father of two who fully expected to act his
age and watch from the side, but as soon as I heard the first chords I charged
down to the front and went chicken oriental. It is now monday and i am black and
blue and as deaf as a post but happy..............mid-life crisis i'm loving it!!
Paul Mc
I was rather dubious leading up to this gig, about quality of performance, nostalgia
levels, cost (£25 a ticket), and after reading the Apollo reviews I expected nowt. Ha
haa, The Cult absolutely battered the senses from the first note to the last, my
cynicism dissolved within seconds of Lil Devil starting up and the crowd going mental.
It was relentless boinging down the front, and I'm glad to hear that the rest of the
hall was the same. Having timed it nicely to avoid standing around for ages beforehand,
I barely had time to neck a couple of vodkas before it all kicked off. Great setlist,
Billy reminding everyone just how fooking groovy a guitarist he is (Temple intro..nice,
not that I caught it, too busy trying to stand still once the acoustic had appeared),
Astbury keeping the bullshitometer steady and low, and classic after classic being
banged out with so much more oomph than was ever the case in the 80 / 90s. Everyone
around me was having a wild time, it must have been a nice change for the band after
the grumbling/booing in Manchester. Great great gig, hope its not 12 years before I
see them on stage again. Cheers boys.
Dave Whelan
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