Kingbury Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah

Opening band: New American Shame

I just got back from the Cult's show at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City. Need I say they rocked? Sadly, not one single song from their last two albums was played. Everything was from the Love/Electric/Sonic Temple era. Ian stated that there would be a new album next year, I'm guessing that they are going to go back to their older sound.

During their final song of the night Love Removal Machine, about 30 or 40 people climbed up onstage. There was only about 5 security goons trying to grab people and push them back into the crowd. Ian even danced with a few girls kicking their legs in the air "Rockette-style".

I had a blast. I'm even thinking of trying to get tickets to some of the other nearby shows.

Wey


Can I just say "WOW!!" What a blissed event this was!! These guys just get better and better! The energy was sooo immense, one of the best parts was at the end when people started bombarding the stage to dance with Ian, as security guards scurried about trying to control the mayhem, Ian just kept helping people back up on stage, dancing with girls, high fiving others, at one point Ian even grabbed a security guard that was trying to get someone off the stage and embraced him, swaying back and forth to the music, in efforts to keep him from his job. Very funny, very cool!! Words can't describe how utterly fantastic the whole show was!! I hope they never stop!! I'm determined to see as many more shows on this tour as possible!!! To all you Cult fans out there, do NOT miss this show!! It is worth the money, believe me!!!!

Wendy Circuit - wlcircuit@duke-energy.com


Salt lake, I am just visiting, but saw that the only show I can see this summer due to my travels is the salt lake show.........it was unreal, period, they were so tight, so uniform and had the most fun I have ever seen the band have, the new bass player fits in like a glove, Ian was laughing and smiling all night, Billy went back to jam with Matt on drums, rhythm guitar guy was very good and very cool.........it was a 110% show

stikman - stiksnston@aol.com


Okay, they are back and better than ever! Yes they even stopped in Salt Lake City. This seriously was the best live show I have EVER been to in my life. I liked them a little (from just CD's and Radio), and my wife just loves them so she made me go. After last night I can't think of a better band out there today. They have a true style of their own, that isn't or can't be duplicated. My wife had told me how she was going to touch Ian again (she'd gotten invited back stage by Ian when she was younger in '93) and she sure as hell did. "The Cult" had the crowd in a "Revolution" and everybody rushed the stage, Ian even started a can-can line with his fans. Getting the crowed involved, having a good time, and touring just for your fans... thats what makes a GREAT band.

Rich Heidt - lizardking77@earthlink.net


I've seen the Cult several times before, but never like this. The show couldn't have been better! Ian, Billy and team got right down to business from the walk on stage. It took the Salt Lake folks a few songs to get into it, but by night's end and thanks to a sparse Event Staff, (during the final song Love Removal Machine) 30-40 or so fans (me included) joined Astbury on stage in a celebration of excitment and praise. I'll have to pick up their Vegas show next month!

Shawn Lamar - s_lamar@hotmail.com


After 12 years of waiting, that day was far more than I expected! My friend and I went to SLC to make a day of it. The show started at 8 and we got there at 3. We hadn't been there more than 5 minutes when we saw New Amercan Shame pull up. We met Jonny and Terry and talked with them for awhile. After meeting them we thought our chances of meeting The Cult were pretty good. While waiting Jonny and a roadie were playing wiffle ball and let us play some too. They were so cool. I was up to bat when we saw a black van pulling up. It was the moment of truth. Billy, Matt, Martyn and their manager were on board (Ian was having lunch with someone and would show up later. They went in to start sound checks. We asked if we could go in to watch but the security guard was a bastard and wouldn't let us in. About an hour later Billy came out to talk to us. For a long time fan whom had never seen them, this was more than I could have asked for. He talked to us for 40 minutes or so. He talked about record negotiations with Atlantic and Arista records to release the new album next year in the states. He said it will be released in the U.K. before it's release here. He said he enjoys Coloursound, but it has always been a project not a huge commitment. He was excited when Ian called about the "Rising" tour. The Cult are back!!! We took pictures and he autographed our tickets. He was such a cool guy! We waited to meet Ian but he had entered by another door. At around 6 we were still waiting when the van pulled up and the band was coming out to go somewhere. We got pictures with Ian and Matt. Ian didn't have alot to say, he was sort of quiet. This was already a huge day and we hadn't even seen the show yet. We had front row seats in the loge. New American Shame rocked! They are a great new band! The stage was set for the greatest band to do what they do best. I could type a setlist but it wouldn't be in order and I'm sure I'd miss some songs. I was too into the show! It was by far the best sounding and most energized show I've ever seen! Ian announced that when the tour was planned Salt Lake was not on the schedule. They fought to come 16 hours out of their way to play SLC because of our crowds. He proclaimed us "The most fucking beautiful people in the Western hemisphere!" I can't explain how important that show was to me. It was one of the greatest days I've experienced! If anyone has a chance to catch them live, fan or not, you must. The CULT LIVE!!!

p.s. When I went to develope the film it didn't turn out. I'm sick! I will have to meet them again.

Naitt - naitt@yahoo.com


Wow!!! I have seen a ton of great shows, this one was by far the best! Kingsbury Hall is very well known for it acoustics and the Cult sounded better than ever! The fact that it was a smaller venue with reserved seating, made it a very up front and personal show! We (my two brothers, sister, and I) were fortunate enough to get front row seats. Our seats were right between Ian and Billy. They opened with Lil' Devil, followed by- In The Clouds, Sun King, Fire Woman, Rain, Peace Dog, Edie (Ciao Baby), New York City, The Witch, Sweet Soul Sister, Wild Flower, She Sells Sanctuary. The Phoenix 1st encore, Love Removal Machine 2nd encore. What a show. During the last song (Love Removal Machine) I noticed that two girls had got up on stage and were dancing with Ian. I then noticed that one of them was my sister. Ian had reached down and pulled them up on stage. Then a few more people started to jump up on stage (with a little coaxing from Ian) and danced and slapped high fives with Ian. It was so cool, Billy and Ian looked a little nervous at first when more and more people were getting on stage but they then realized that those who were getting up on stage just wanted to dance and hug them and thank them for such a great show. They were true fans and even though they were on stage, they still showed The Cult a great deal of respect. The security gaurds were even real mello, once they saw that no one was going to do anything stupid. The crowd was extremely receptive, they even made the warm up band feel appreciated (New American Shame). The Cult recieved an excellent write up review in the Deseret News a few days later! Thank you so much Ian and billy!!!

Tom McIntyre - tom_mcintire@hotmail.com


Last song Love Removal Machine I fly over the heads of the bouncers to find myself onstage, with about 30 or 40 other worthy fans. While dancing around Ian comes up, puts his arm around me and keeps singing! Within moments there was a line of people all dancing the can-can clear across the stage. It ruled and I would kill for a picture.

Hey Goddammit! That was me onstage dancing the can - can. not some chic! Of coarse I have long hair that's dyed reddish - purple and I might have been screaming like a girl, but for being the single greatest moment of my life I want some credit! and a picture, will pay $$ love you all.

Clark Taylor


The last time The Cult came I couldn't get work off to go (I work swings). This time I wasn't about to miss them. The best part is that my wife gave me the ticket for my birthday and she isn't really a Cult fan. Ian and Billy were really tight and Matt Sorum continued to show us that he is made for this band (he did most of the original work on Sonic Temple before being grabbed up by Guns N' Roses). I have to say that the versions of In The Clouds and The Witch were better than any I have previously heard (i.e. the High Octane Cult and Pure Cult CDs). Everything they played was tight, as if they hadn't broken up in 1995. The Cult is one of the few bands that sounds as good or better live as they do in the studio. Overall I wasn't disappointed that they didn't play anything from Ceremony or their self titled album. Thank You to Ian and Billy for not forgetting us here in Salt Lake City.

Chris Tyler

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

Phoenix
Love Removal Machine