Warfield, San Francisco, California 
Opening bands: Bif Naked, New American Shame
Just wanted to drop a line (a long line!) and let you know that the
Cult's show tonight at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco was
AMAZING!!! They sold out, and had the crowd worked into a frenzy. At
one point Ian asked if there was anyone in the audience that had never
seen them before and quite a few people raised their hands, so hopefully
some new fans have been won! Ian also said that the Cult was back
because of the fans, and could they stand them being around for another
10 years?! "We're gonna do this as long as you want us to!". They were
incredibly tight, as if no time had passed. Ian's voice was in top
shape, and he did a mesmerizing shaman dance. They opened with Lil'
Devil. Crowd favorites seemed to be Sanctuary, Rain, Fire Woman,
and Love Removal Machine. Ian did a stage dive at the end of the show
(Tho not much of his t-shirt survived!). They seemed to be enjoying
themselves thoroughly!
I have to be honest with you, I had only seen the Cult once before, in
1987 with Guns n Roses, tho had never bought any of their albums. I
met and spent some time with Ian when the Holy Barbarians were here 3
years ago. Ian is an amazing human being, and he seemed to be really
happy tonight. I cannot express the joy that it brought me watching
him experience the fans love and exuberance for him and the band. My
friend Michelle, who was with me, met them back in '84 when they first
toured the States. She said they were down to earth and exceptional
people, and have retained that same spirit. She thought they were great
then, but tonight they were brilliant. Billy's guitar playing had
people holding their breath. It was an incredible show.
Keep up the nice work with your site, hope you enjoy yourself at their
show as much as we did!
Denise And Michelle
Just got back from the kick off show in San Francisco. Here is the set list.
The show was absolutely fantastic. Ian looked lovely and the band was really
tight. 1. lil’ devil 2. sun king 3. rain 4. in the clouds 5. edie (ciao baby!)
6. fire woman 7. the witch 8. peace dog 9. new york city 10. revolution 11.
sweet soul sister 12. wild child 13. she sells sanctuary Encore 14. american
horse 15. love removal machine
Delirium - xia@yahoo-inc.com
I first saw The Cult in 1992 at the San Diego Sports Arena on the Ceremony Tour.
Next was at The Warfield Theatre in San Francisco in 1995, and then there was
the show last night at the same venue in S.F. I must say that this band
improves with age!! Last night's show was definitely the tightest, most
energetic that I have seen this band perform. Following short sets by two
opening bands, Bif Naked and New American Shame, The Cult blew the roof off of
the 100 plus year old converted movie house. The opened with Lil' Devil, Ian's
vocals weren't load enough through the first few tunes but the sound crew did a
good job making adjustments as the show played on. Billy's guitar was crisp and
loud throughout the set. Next was a great version of Sun King, the promoters
did a great job of booking the band in a venue sized perfectly for the current
popularity of this band, I think it sold out at the door. Ian did some talking
at this point, "great to be back"...etc...then he said "this is In the Clouds
...it's Rain", then they proceeded to play Rain. At this point the place was
electric, the pit going hard and most of the balcony on their feet. In The Clouds was
next, followed by Edie (Ciao Baby), a real crowd pleaser, then Ian said: "this
is for all of the women out there" and, what else, Fire Woman. At this point
the band really gelled. Ian's vocals were loader and clearer, Billy's leads
were blistering, and the drums sounded awesome. Ian was a little tentative up
to this point, this being the first show of the tour, but from Fire Woman on, he
was a fucking maniac, strutting back and forth between his mike stand and the
drum riser. A couple of surprises were New York City and Revolution. The
remainder of the set rocked, see setlist below, culminating with Ian taking a
huge stage dive with a running start into the pit stage left during the encore.
The crew tried to pull him out right away, but he pushed back as if saying "fuck
off...it's been a few years since I've done this, I'm gonna have some fun!"
When he finally decided he'd had enough, it took three burly roadies to beat the
crowd back as the pulled him back on to the stage. He popped up like a spring
and finish the song with a shredded shirt. In closing, Ian said how would you
like another ten years of The Cult? To which the crowd responded with a huge
roar. This was the best rock show that I have been to in a long time. These
guys have obviously taken care of themselves and have many more years left in
them if we/they remain interested...Rock on!!!
Hans Milberger
I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing the "official" opening of the Cult's
reunion tour. they still kick ass. The crowd was wild and so was the band. It
took them a little time in between songs to figure out what they were going to
do next and set-up and so forth...but it was an amazing show. The finale, Love
Removal Machine, found Ian leaping into the audience for a ride. Way cool show.
Art
I saw the Cult last night at the Warfield in SF Ca. and I must say this: AWESOME!!!!!
They sounded better than when I saw them 10 years ago! Question: Are they releasing
a new album soon? Great WWW page!! Keep up the good work... Roger in Marin County Ca.
Roger Strohmeyer - roger.strohmeyer@mulberryneckwear.com
I went to see The Cult at The Warfield and it was amazing to see them finally
play with a musicians that can play well (Matt Sorum, Martyn Lenoble). These
guys rocked, they opened up with Lil' Devil and ended with the encore of
Love Removal Machine. The made bands like Korn, Marilyn Manson, Limp Bizkit
sound like amateurs. These guys know rock and roll which is something we need
today badly. It was a good thing to see them live again, Ian even stage dived
and got his darth maul t-shirt ripped to shreds. The opening band "something shame
or other" sucked so bad. These guys sounded like Def Leppard and tried to emulate
The Cult. It was a sad night for them. Other than the opening band I have to say
that The Cult played a flawless show. Highlights were American Horse, Sweet
Soul Sister, Revolution, Love Removal Machine. Thank god The Cult
is back!!!
Joseph Salinas josephsalinas@hotmail.com
I went to the city to see the opening show on The Cult Rising Tour. It was an
incredible experience. These guys play very well together. I have no doubt that
this is the best band I have ever seen live. I saw the Cult in Oakland, CA back in
1992, but it was note quite as powerful a show as this one. The Warfield was a
perfect setting for these guys, not to big, not to small. The set lists that I
have been reading sound about right on, but I can swear that I heard Soul Asylum in
that set somwhere towards the end of the first set. They didn't play any tunes off
of their last album. I was looking forward to hearing a few of these songs.
Regardless, they played for approximately two hours. It was amazing to see how
tight these guys looked together. Ian was in good spirits, as was the rest of the
band. It seemed to me that they were enjoying themselves the entire time. They
definately looked happier with this lineup than they did with the 92 Ceremony
Tour lineup. The entire show was great, yet there were a few songs that I thought
really tore it up. Those were Peace Dog, Revolution (great Duffy solo),
Love Removal, Edie (Ciao Baby), etc. Hell, it was all good. I have
tickets to go see them in Los Angeles on August 21. I can't even imagine how good
that show is going to be. If anyone reading this review has the opportunity to
check out this tour, do so! I Can't wait for the next show. Wake up it's time for
FREEDOM BABY!
R. D. Loflin - bamaball@machspeed.net
The Cult are back! I saw the show at the Warfield and it was amazing. I saw them
in New Orleans several years back, but this show blew that one away. I personally
enjoyed Peace Dog. The energy in the place was like a blowtorch. Ian really
got into the show. A friend that went with us didn't listen to the Cult much before,
but after the show he begged us to put in one of their cds for the ride home. I'm
sure they will snag several new fans. I live in Houston and already have my tickets
for that show. So nice that I must go twice (at least).
Mark and Pam Pope
It took us 2.5 hours to get to San Francisco that night. 2.5 fucking hours. I had
already had anxiety dreams of forgetting my tickets at home or somehow getting lost
and not being able to find the Warfield. And here we were, in gridlock traffic,
because some chemical spill that happened near the airport. I was a mess. I was
certain we were going to miss part of the show. That once we got there, found
parking, and walked the certain several blocks from wherever we managed to find
parking, we would have missed part of the show. I was driving Ligeia insane with
all my anxious energy. We got there, we parked, and managed to make it just as the
first opening band was going on. Ligeia had told me we would, but I didn’t believe
her until we were hustling up the stairs to our seats. Bif Naked was interesting.
The music was good, but I was there to see the Cult. New American Shame (the
second opening act) was torturous to sit through. Again, the music wasn’t half
bad, but it was too loud, and the band was doing all sorts of posing, and again,
they weren’t the Cult. Reviewing either of these bands would be an injustice,
because I honestly was not interested in anything but seeing The Cult. We got to listen
to several tracks off a Smashing Pumpkins CD while we watched the stage equipment
being constructed and tested. Finally. There they were. With the dramatic
introduction music that always creates their wake. I think the last time I saw them,
on their last tour when they disbanded, it was O Fortuna from Carl Orff’s Carmina
Burana. I can’t tell you what it was this time (Star Wars intro music?). But there
they were, on the stage, and a sphere of white light began the night to the
sounds of Lil' Devil. My old roommate and I have always like to affectionately
call Ian Astbury ‘Fancy Feet’ because of his elegant and energized way of using the
stage. Fancy Feet did not disappoint this night. Dressed in brown leather pants and
a black mesh shirt, he shimmied and maneuvered about, jumping up on monitors and
sassing the crowd. He seemed to enjoy sticking his tongue out and making a very cute
‘I was just naughty’ face afterwards; hands on hips, microphone sometimes stuffed
into the front of his trousers. Not one to shy away from being a front man, Ian was
lovely and brilliant and taunting and thrilling. His voice never ceases to amass
warfare on my heart and head. He sings and the world begins a slow waltz like a
twirling, mirror ball reflecting, tragic dance that quickens and escalates and swings,
slamming one about in some sacred rag doll ritual that hurts and heals. The music
creates a space for him to spread his wings. It sets the storm which, electric,
splatters a spectrum of emotions against the glistening faces of the audience. Washed in
unabashed adoration, we can’t possibly give back enough. We can’t possibly let go
such secret and unwashed parts of ourselves, but we must be, because the cycle is
continuing and we are being guided by more human condition filled music. We recognize
and forgive ourselves. There is nothing so natural, yet divine about this sublime
connection: guitar, drums, bass, voice, and audience. One sneaky fan managed to make
it up onto the stage at some point and was quickly removed by the guards. Ian tossed
himself into the crowd during the last song of the encore Love Removal Machine
having opted for a red Darth Maul tee-shirt which was quickly turned to shreds. I suppose
one should anticipate that sort of behaviour, but I was mildly saddened by the fact
the people were tearing at him like that. For those who don’t know, the Warfield is a
wonderful venue to see bands in. Both intimate and gorgeously modeled so that even
those in the nose bleed seats can see. The crew there has always been very cool and
understanding. Can’t wait for the new record and hope for a tour program!
Delirium - xia@yahoo-inc.com
The first show on the summer tour was INCREDIBLE!!!! As best I can recall the set
list included: Fire Woman, American Horse, Edie (Ciao Baby), She
Sells Sanctuary, Love, Love Removal Machine, Sweet Soul Sister,
New York City, Peace Dog, Rain, and Revolution and maybe a
few others I cant recall (temporary insanity!) Ian and Billy were in TOP form. Ian
even threw himself into the crowd during a guitar solo near the end of the show. There
was an old school mosh pit on the floor, everyone was going nuts for the full 1 1/2 hour
set. They did 2 songs during their only encore and ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!! It was better
than great sex! I'm going to see them again in San Diego in August.
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! p.s. Skip the opening act, they think they're old Motely Crue
Rob - screenwriter71@homtail.com
Opening night on the Rising tour was nothing short of phenomenal! I won't give away
the set list (here's a hint though...SONIC TEMPLE!!!!!!), see this show!!! The lights
went down and when the dark silhouette if Ian appeared the crowd (3000+) went positively
crazy! The whole theater stood and danced for the whole show, 90 minutes or so. Never
thought I'd hear Edie (Ciao Baby) again...whew!!!
DaveJ (the disbelievers) - BelieveDis@aol.com
I have been a huge fan of The Cult but never thought that they could leave such an
impression. Ian is Jim Morrison.
Kramer - prsilva@ix.netcom.com
It was a dream come true to see The Cult together again. Last time I saw them was
just before they broke up at the same place The Warfield. They were just as good
this time. I think the highlight of the show was Love Removal Machine when Ian
stage dived into the crowd. I get wait for there new album(s).
Victor Szabo - vszabo@inreach.com
They could have played every song 3 times in a row and that would have been just fine
with me. It was the first show on the tour and I guess probably the first show since
they got back together. You couldn't help but feel something very very cool that night,
words cannot describe it. During the encore, I couldn't believe I was there to see
this--Ian tossed his tambourine out to the crowd! AND THEN he joined the fans for
some crowd surfing. Unfuckingbelievable. The Cult is the best band to ever walk the
face of this earth.
Heather Cordes - POWERCORDES@AOL.COM
Setlist
Lil' Devil
Sun King
Rain
In The Clouds
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Fire Woman
The Witch
Peace Dog
New York City
Revolution
Sweet Soul Sister
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Encore
American Horse
Love Removal Machine