Brighton Event, Brighton, England 
Brighton is treating me very well-especially since The Cult chose the town as the
location for the first stop on their tour of England. I don't know of any shows that
the band has ever previously played in Brighton, save one: they played at the Brighton
Polytechnic Union Bar in 1983 as Death Cult. Where was I??? Anyways, on December
8, 1994 I had the opportunity of #1, seeing The Cult, #2 play for two hours, #3 in a
small club, #4 in the band's home country. ROCK ON. My personal review: the best show
I have ever seen. For example, "it rocked" (Kris Coleman 1995, extensive review).
Like I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted, they opened with Nirvana.
Enough said. Heart attack material. Had they played The Phoenix, I probably
would have had visions and jumped from the balcony with glee but since they didn't I
am gratefully able to be here with you writing this article. Ian has never been
so animated. Not just strutting-Rock-God stuff but serious ham-it-up fun ("a handful
of good clean fun": Kris Coleman). The whole band functioned extremely well as a unit
(finally?) and Craig Adams seemed especially chuffed to be playing in his hometown of
Brighton, where he supposedly still resides. (Shameless journalist grovelling:
Craig, ring up 626774 and we'll do lunch). Hey, stranger things have been known to
happen. Billy, you know the one with the gee-tar, was not running about much
but he launched the famous Sun King windmill pose to the roaring approval of the
crowd. Speaking of which, Fire Woman reached rock heights, amazing.
A few words about Ciggie Time. Ian announced after the band returned to the
stage that it was ciggie time. Asking if anyone had a cigarette, and subsequently being
pelted with many, the band launched into a jam-like tune which I have elected to call
Ciggie Time. It seemed impromptu but who's to say? It seemed a complete
piss-take along the lines of Messin' Up The Blues. Future B-Side??
Perhaps the band's frivolity in Brighton was due to their traumatic experience in
attempting to cross the Channel from Calais to Dover. As reproted by the local paper,
rough seas and horrible weather caused the tour bus to be damaged on the ferry. Once
this problem was taken care of, the band were on their way. Driving on the M25 enroute
to Brighton, the bus collided with a van which had been blown off the road. Memorable
trip, I'm sure. In any case the band, Ian in particular, seemed very pleased to be back
in Brighton. Constantly interacting with the audience throughout the show (distributing
two beers, kissing audience members, etc.) Ian eventually launched into a speech
appreciating everyone for sticking with the band throught the years, the changes, hard
times, and he appeared on the verge of being seriously emotional. Then without
warning, he announced "We are very, very happy to do this for you tonight...She
Sells Sanctuary" Mayhem. Chaos. One would have thought that was the first time
they had ever played that song. Wonderful.
Kellie Agan
This was the second to last gig I ever saw of the Cult and probably the most memorable.
Very different to the Ceremonial Stomp at Brixton a few days later. They were on fire.
I was blown away. The night oozed with emotion, lucky for me I got to the front and
had a spiritual experience... It was nice to see Billy on such form and actually
enjoying himself, and seeing him play some old beat up blue fender strat during Edie
(Ciao Baby). Great. Still prefer the flametop Les Paul though. Ian that night kissed
the girl next to me, he gave me one of his beers and water (seriously sweatsville
night!!) and saw him smash up a tambourine in front of me. My friends that went with me
that night still talk about what a great evening it was. Who the fuck was Elvis in the
break?
Dougie Hooker
The last time I ever saw them live in England. Me an' a mate travelled over from
(Plymouth) Uni in Exmouth as we'd heard this was their last British tour. Spent 2
hours moshing, was right next to Ian listening to the support band and lost a
pint bet with me mate Mark when they played She Sells Sanctuary. Well,
they had said they weren't gonna play it live again. Fucking brilliant night -
when are they returning here?
Munster - nik@kilminstern.freeserve.co.uk
A return to The Event (previously known as the Top Rank Suite)
where I experienced my first ever Cult gig in 1985 - but a far different
gig. The Cult are definitely not the same band that put out Love anymore,
but they still rock. The surprise inclusion of Phoenix was wonderful - if
only we'd had Spiritwalker! Despite having more a techno sound by now, the
rock was still there. Smaller venues are definitely more satisfying - with
this place only holding 1400, the atmosphere was very special.
Michael Wray - mishwray@actrix.co.nz
Set list:
Nirvana
Lil' Devil
Coming Down
The Witch
Love
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Rain
Black Sun
Be Free
Fire Woman
Star
Wild Flower
Sun King
Love Removal Machine
Encore 1
Ciggie Time
Sacred Life
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore 2
Earth Mofo