G-Mex, Manchester, England

Opening Band: Bootsauce

Part of The Cult's short UK arena leg of the Ceremonial Stomp tour, and the band definitely benefitted from a larger P.A. (than Manchester Apollo), even though the sound at GMEX is regularly slated. The set was similar to the Sonic Temple tour (bit of a 'highlights' show), but the highlights were certainly the songs from Ceremony. This album was rubbished by the press, by and large, and later by the band themselves (the sound of a band 'treading water' was a quote I seem to recall), but I think its mix of hard rock and laid-back grooves is exceptional. White, Ceremony, If, and of course the majestic Wild Hearted Son and Earth Mofo were fantastic live. Only other memories of the show were the length of the set (just one encore - Sweet Soul Sister, a thoroughly ordinary song), and the gig being on the day of Freddie Mercurys' death. I think it was Edie (Ciao Baby) that Ian dedicated to him. Billy had also become far too wrapped up in the Rock God imagery. The pictures in the tour programme were plain embarrasing. Thankfully, he'd sorted himself by the time I next saw them stomping round a stage. Oh, the on-stage carpet looked GROOVY.

Dave Whelan - judgesolksjaer@netscapeonline.co.uk