Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Other bands at the Big Day Out included: Ministry, Primal Scream,
Hole, Offspring, Screaming Trees, Clouds, You Am I, Silverchair,
Luscious Jackson, Allegience, and Kim Salmon.
As the lights begin to kick in, Astbury and quarter dozen appear among the clouds of
dry ice, eager to show
New Zealand just what stadium rock's all about. Pulling the largest
crowd of the day, The Cult inspired with the majesty of rock. The
sound achieved was the stripped down rock of the electric era.
Standing on tippy toes I only just manage to glimpse Mr Astbury in
sparkly shirt, prancing around stage. like a baryshnikov of rock. Mr
Astbury's dancing, coupled with the lights, created an awesome rock
spectacle. The microphone gymnastics and blood red backdrop during
Fire Woman impressed muchly. If there's one complaint, it's
directed at the lack of "woah woah, yeah baby's". Still, after grumpy
Gillespie (Primal Scream), it was nice to see a frontman really
trying his best for the crowd. As they departed, Ian pleaded with us
not to "lose our childlike innocence". I think there's something in
there for all of us, particularly the poseurs who spent the day
trying to look hard and forgetting the music.
Kevin List - Rip It Up
I managed to get a better view of The Cult than Mr List, and of all
the bands I saw that day they showed real integrity. My only
disappointment was that I found out afterwards, they played a
show in Wellington NZ the day before, it wasnt widely advertised.
Oh well I still got to see 1 hour of the best and most inspiring band
around.
Scott - andrea@tpsun.taranaki.ac.nz
The Cult may have been the most popular band of the Day. The stadium drew
in a lot of people for this one. Great Rock - well, maybe - but Ian
Astbury proved beyond doubt that he is a total tosser. Who knows what he
was thinking when he dedicated Wild Flower to "...all the Maori people
in the audience." I couldn't take that bunch seriously when he came on and
introduced the Cult as "..never been to New Zealand before so we wanna see
you mooooooove." and later "Are we too prentious these days to have a good
time?"
Peter Casey