Tibetan Freedom Festival, Chicago, Illinois
The Cult:
I got to the concert late and The Cult were already playing when I walked through
the gates. It was a horrible feeling running down that hill because I was deeply
afraid that I might have missed most of the set. Fortunately, I didn't miss very
much and what I did see was awesome. Ian and Billy both looked good, the band
played a tight set and Ian's voice is still in fine form. I'm sure the other
reviews for this show will post the songs played, but nothing past the Sonic Temple
album was performed. Ian was talkative and at one point he draped the Tibetan flag
over his shoulders and made some harsh statements about the American flag saying
that it was, "..just a bunch of stars and stipes without any meaning." On a lighter
note, Ian also joked that The Cult were the only band the fans would see at the
festival wearing leather pants. After the set I met Mike, the rhythm guitarist,
and talked to him for about 15-20 minutes. He said he had started off the summer
preparing to take his substitute teacher's certification exam when The Cult called
him up and asked him to go on tour. Mike said that his schedule is hectic because
he has also been working with Bush, still, he called touring with The Cult a
"great summer job" and he said things had been fantastic so far. Mike told me that
Ian and Billy were getting along very well and that everyone had been having lots
of fun. I asked Mike if they would be using his services on the upcoming album but
he didn't think that was likely. The concert was video taped and Mike mentioned
that Westwood One will probably be airing the recorded performance, so if you collect
the live stuff, be on the lookout for that. Mike is a very nice guy, with a great
sense of humor, and he was impressed that I had come all the way from Texas just to
see them play. All in all, a very good performace... get ready Cult Fans, it's going
to be a great summer!
The Other Bands:
Nobody played more than about 9 songs and the conditions were absolute shit.
Everything was soaking wet and as the day went on, the Alpine Valley became a
huge muddy swamp. My surprise of the day goes to Blondie who put on a good show
and even though her stage moves haven't been updated since the late 70's, she still
has her voice and it was very impressive. Tracy Chapman played a heartfelt set and
while her music may or may not be your cup of tea, you can't deny her talent and
emotion. Rage Against the Machine were a late addition to the billing and the place
absolutely erupted when they played. Zach De La Rocha's intensity continues to amaze
me because he's just as angry now as he was five years ago. RUN DMC wasted most of
their set basking in egomania as they used every way possible to get the crowd to
chant their names. The Beastie Boys took their sweet time setting things up but the
crowd didn't mind because they were definitely the star attraction. In my own opinion,
hip hop loses something when you play it live and while this statement is probably a
travesty to most, I didn't think the Beastie Boys were impressive at all.
Charles Welhausen
It was awesome, AWESOME show!! I've been the CULT fan for a long long time..but I
never got to see them as I moved to the US 4 years ago when they disbanded.. They
sounded unbelievable!! Ian was full of energy and ready to blow that place up with
his Rock'n'Roll power voice..They played Wild Flower, Peace Dog, Rain,
Fire Woman, She Sells Sanctuary, Love Removal Machine. During
their last song Ian jumped off the stage, got into the crowd and kept singing. I
can't wait to see them again when they come to Boston (where I live). I LOVE THE CULT
and I feel like they're gonna rule the world pretty soon!
Leo - LeoSk@worldnet.att.net
Ian and Billy on stage LIVE!!! Awesome sight and plenty of hard rock'in jams from these
cats!! Billy strok'in his Les Paul geetar and making it cry over the Wisconsin
hilltops, and Ian being very energized and banging the tambourine like a man
on a mission! Ian's voice was very strong and he really belted out the the songs!
THE CULT gave everyone a wake-up call and established the mood for the day, which
was free your mind, enjoy the day, and keep the faith. Billy sounded great on
back-up vocals especially on Love Removal Machine and Ian was the consummate
showman by jumping into the crowd gathered in front of the stage! Yes Ian, you were
the ONLY one wearing leather pants on stage that day! FREE TIBET!!!
Chuck Adachi - adachi@networksplus.net
went to the Tibetan Freedom Concert to see the cult...The setlist
was Wildflower, Rain, Peace Dog, She Sells Sanctuary and
they ended with a crazy version of Love Removal Machine. Ian came down of the
stage to sing together with the people then came back to the stage to finally throwing
out the microfone. He was black dressed, and said a bit of the problem of
Tibet.
They didn't play anyone about Ceremony or The Cult. The concert had
something between 30,000 people. It was a great show...
Flávio - fsantos@bovespa.com.br
Amidst the teenyboppers waiting for Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine at the
Tibetan Freedom Festival on June 13 in East Troy, Wisconsin, The Cult strolled onto
the Alpine Valley Music Theater stage in black and leather, taking fans back ten or
more years with their six-song return to the big time! In a day when hip-hop, techno,
glam and pop are kings of the airwaves, The Cult came back to prove rock is not dead.
Ian came out with a "Hello" and some short rock banter, before holding up the Tibet flag
and telling the crowd how it was great for us to live in a country (USA) where you could
wave your flag and not get thrown in jail. He then spoke of the rape, torture, mutilation,
imprisonment and murder being carried out by the Chinese government on the Tibetan people.
It's good to know that Ian's ideals and love for Earth and its people are alive and
kicking. But, then it was time to rock!
From the opening crunch of Billy Duffy's guitar on Wild Flower, it was apparent
the boys were going to get to the heart of the matter. Then, in a nod to the previous
3-hour downpour, they kicked into Rain, keeping its sound energetic and fresh -
it still rocks after 14 years. After that, Ian took a moment to hold up the Tibet flag
and talk about its beauty, unlike the Union Jack, which he slammed as "a bunch of stripes
that don't mean a thing, nothing." He said the show was all about peace, promptly leading
into the opening notes of the great Peace Dog, which was as good as anything they
played this day. Then Billy strummed the beginning to Fire Woman, which was
obligatory but sounded just okay. She Sells Sanctuary, also obligatory by 1999,
sounded better, but the mix kept Billy's guitar subdued.
Five songs done and everyone's enjoying themselves. The band is tight, if not fluid.
Ian's been swinging the mike around, a la Roger Daltrey. Billy's been doing the rock
guitar poses with only Les Pauls (no Gretsch White Falcon!) and a return to the platinum
hair. Matt's pounding the skins good, adding a few background vocals, looking very cool.
Martyn LeNoble has kept a solid, fat groove going and looking thoroughly cool with
platinum hair, black threads, and a wide stance. Mike, the rhythm guy, is wearing some
kind of vest with nerd glasses and a bent-up cowboy hat (a good look, actually) and
strumming a Les Paul. It's a real rock and roll band, looking and sounding the part!
So, what do they do next? Matt hits the hi-hat four times and they're off into Love
Removal Machine, a sure sign that their set is almost over, damn it! It sounds great!
Ian really boogies around the stage, singing "Baby, baby, baby, baby.." and Billy's leads
are clear and loud and awesome. By the time the "mosh" part of song begins with Billy's
uncontrollable solo, Ian has jumped off the stage and headed into the crowd! He returns,
struggling a bit to get back on the stage, in time to close the song with some jumps and
howls, not unlike the video for the song. It's an ecstatic moment, after all that energy
has been unleashed, but also disappointing, because that's it for the day! Ian wishes
everyone a great day, thanks us, and they're gone.
Pure magic. As they shake off the rust and expand their playing repertoire for the
upcoming tour, I can only imagine them getting close to perfect. Ian's voice was very
strong and hopefully that will hold up for the duration of the tour. Billy knows his
licks, and the only thing that can ever hold him back is the sound mix. The rest of the
band are right on the money, but we all know they're just there backing up my generation's
equivalent of Jagger/Richards or Tyler/Perry. These two together again is all a Cult fan
could have imagined. The future is theirs to do what ever they want, and once again,
we're all along for the wild ride!!! Long live rock, long live The Cult!
Jason Smith