Roseland Theatre, New York, New York 
Opening bands: Bif Naked, New American Shame
Hi, I just got back from the concert of "The Cult." It was luxurious, especially
after a event that happened couple of years ago when the band got apart on the
day they were supposed to play in New York. Now i'm really glad that've decided
to have a tour and record a new album. I hope it is going to be pretty soon.
Huda - hudziaczek@aol.com
I just got back from seeing the Cult in NYC. The show was great. It was supposed
to begin at 7:30 pm. I got to the venue at 4:00 pm and just walked right in.
The roadies where setting everything up and I sat down and watched. After about a
half hour, Matt Sorum went on stage and tested sound for drums. Then Martyn joined
him. Then Billy and after him the second guitar (mike?). Finally, Mr. Astbury
climbed up on stage and I got a private, three song concert (Lil' Devil, Edie
(Ciao Baby) and Fire Woman). After the soundcheck I asked Ian for an
autograph, I would share it with you but I don't have a scanner. Then the opening
acts checked sound so I went outside and got in line. The show started a little
after 8:00 I think. First Bif Naked (they suck!), then a long wait, then New American
Shame (they really suck!!) another VERY long wait, and finally the Cult. The sound was
excellent (I used earplugs, by the way, and was right up against the barrier) and
the performance was very tight. Billy played very very good. The rhythym guitarist is
a zero to the left, anyone can play better than him. Ian was totally electric,
jumping around, dancing, just completely full of energy, unbelievable. A couple
of funny things happened: Ian tells a security guard not to snatch a fans camera. Ian
gets off the stage in the middle of a song and stops some security guards from hitting
a fan (and the music just went right on). Someone throws a pair of panties on the
stage and Ian makes us all laugh. Ian cracks a piece off the tambourine and puts it
on as if it was going through his head, then smashes it to bits on the floor. Billy
breaks a string in the middle of a song and switches guitars in a second, with no
noticeable noises. Ian stage dives - ands keeps all of his clothes. Well, that's it.
This show is a MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
Let me tell you that the Cult is the best band in the world. These guys really
rocked the Roseland Ballroom. Ian is awesome. He thanked the fans at least a
100 times. This was my first live Cult performance. Too bad Jamie wasn't there.
Any news on him since he left after Sonic Temple? The first band was Bif Naked I
believe. There were 2 guys and 2 gals on stage with one of the girls on vocals.
Not bad at all. Pretty damn good! New American Shame was good too. But I
couldn't wait for Ian and Billy to walk out. They started with Lil' Devil.
Later on they played a song taht Ian said was "...all about you!" No one stood
still during New York City. Not every city gets to be the title of song!
Man I hope you get to see them! During their encoure, they said that they are
planning on releasing a new album. I can't wait!
Charlie
I posted my review on onelist.com but I'll give a brief description here. The
Cult were awesome, period. Bif Naked were good, cool name, cool songs, lead
singer reminded me of No Doubt singer. New American Shame sucked. Their tunes were
real weak and the audience were totally bored by them. When the Cult came on the
audience came alive, they were pumped and I was like in the third row so there was
some crowd surfing and moshing going on. Ian was excellent and Duffy's guitar
playing was right on the money. Ian was a lot more fired up than Duffy seemed
to be but Billy was right into his guitar playing, he only looked out at us a
couple of times and had a small grin on his face a couple of times. Ian on the other
hand was all over the stage and put on a hell of a show. The Roseland was packed and
the crowd was 100% into them, it was good to see that they got a good reception in
NYC, I'm sure it made them feel good and confident. Biggest song for the crowd was
New York City people were going nuts and so was the band. I liked Peace Dog the best
myself. Sorry I can't say much for the rest of the band cause all my attention was
on Billy and Ian and I was on Billy's side anyway. Sorum was hidden behind his kit a
bit but he played excellent too. Mixing could have been better but I can only say
that if they were there again the next night I would make sure I was in the front row.
Brian - auspelb@yahoo.com
Kick Ass!!! Thats what THE CULT did last night at Roseland. Maybe I'm getting old
but to wait 1 hour before they took the stage seems a little to long for me. Ian,
Billy, and Matt were great (where's Jamie?). The new bassist looked like he was
trying harder to look "cool" and keep a unlit cigarette in his mouth than play
bass. The additional guitarist didn't really have much to do a strum here and a
strum there. Ian's voice was strong and placed well in the mix. Billy aaaahhhh
what can I say amazing. During the encore of Phoenix Billy broke a string
during the intro, but did he miss a note hardly. He cranked it out and swapped
guitars without missing a beat. I expected and was pleasently greeted by a slightly
older crowd. Being in NYC I've noticed that the crowds tend to be jaded and
just stand there. Not so last night everybody was into it. He said they are
recording a new album after the tour can't wait. "Hells Kitchen is a DMZ I'm never
going back" Thanks for coming back.
Matt
This was my FIRST Cult experience and I was amazed!!! The first bands were
pretty good, though New American Shame played for what seemed like forever
and wore out their welcome. There were good, but what the crowd really wanted
was the Cult! I got there at 5 o'clock and hung around the area and came back
at 6 to find only 2 people standing in line! I was like, "what the hell?!" I
chatted with them and with my friend there and then talked to 2 more people
that came. About a half hour later, we looked around the corner to find about
50 people standing in front of the building! I was sooo mad! But, the security
gaurds told them to wait where we were and we told them to get in the back of
the line! At 6:45, the bouncers let people in a few at a time. Luckily, me and
friend were 3rd and 4th in line. I ran to the room and got right up next to the
barricade!!! I am so short that when the Cult came out, I was squashed! I am now
left with a huge bruise on my upper arm. It was red within hours and has now faded
into a deep purple. When Bif came out, I thought she was a solo act, but then her
band came out. They were OK. They reminded me of Bikini Kill. Then, there was New
American Shame. They rocked for a while, but then people got sick of them. The
lead singer threw out a towl into the crowd, but the crowd threw it back at him
several times, once in the face! He was mad and wiped his butt with it. The girl
I met in line took it because she felt bad for him. The Cult came on about an hour
after NAS. I was getting gidding by this point! Ian looked amazing in his see through
black shirt and snakey brown pants. The line-up was tight and the music flowed. My
friend wasn't familiar with the Cult and she loved them! Ian was really funny! He
broke about 2 innocent tambourines and at one point, put a broken one on his head
and exclaimed, "I have a tambourine on my fucking head!" Then, there was the panties
incident. These cotton-looking little kid style underwear was flung onto the stage.
Ian tried to throw it back but it was thrown back on stage, so he just used them to
wipe his face...I think they were soiled, though! Ian later proclaimed that we were
a "fucking radiant audience". I was so excited! I came from Philly to see them
and I got my money's worth!! Ian even did some crowd surfing and hit the girl I
spoke to in line with his boot. I was so squashed in the front..I ache and my
chest bone is bruised. It was all worth it! I even saw some fans that were around my age
(I'm 17). At the end, I got to get a t-shirt! The friend from the line helped and
I can't thank her enough! A hell of an experience! Great show!
Julia
I agree with Anonymous, Bif Naked and New American Shame needed to turn down the
sound and replace it with some melodies. Just try and remember any song they sang.
When the Cult came out (after waiting an hour) it was like "let's show the other
bands how it's done." And they did. My first Cult show and it rocked. The only
thing I didn't like was that they only played for an hour. But it was a great
rocking hour.
T.S.
Nothing fancy, just a really f'n great rock and roll show. I don't even remember
them looking or sounding as good back in the day (we won't discuss how many years
ago) I guess Ian and Billy are like fine wines. Anyway, I never expected this venue
to be as packed as it was, but it was a pleasant surprise, now I know they never
really left. I get the feeling from that performance that we can expect a new cult
revelution all over again in the new millinium, they've many more trends to set.
Michele - outgoevil@aol.com
The show rocked!!!
The Jackal - Jackaliii@netzero.net
I took my girlfreind along with me, she has always made fun of me for liking the
Cult. She now thinks that they are great and that Ian is the sexiest frontman ever.
It was a good show and everyone has said pretty much what went down. I must confess
however that I think the Cult would be smart to get Garrett back in the band. Matt
Sorum is an exceptional session guy--while Garrett provides his own 2 cents. The
songs just don't move as they did with Garrett or Preston. No complaints other than
that though. Ian and Billy were truly great and I hope they stick it out long enough
to make some more music. Oh, one more thing, too much Sonic Temple! Playing hits is
great, but those hits came at a time when everyone dug Warrent. Fire Woman,
Soul Asylum, Edie (Ciao Baby), and Sun King are cool but the
rest pales when compared to their other stuff. They also left off the last record,
which blew Sonic Temple out of the water.
Bill - captive2001@yahoo.com
Although this show started kind of slow, it built to a crescendo I've rarely seen at
a live show. Astbury seemed miffed for a while but eventually really got into the
swing of things and seemed to be having a great time. Billy was uniformly excellent
(as always) and top marks to the supporting cast. Interesting to see Mike Dimkitch
again, shame his playing seemed to be drowned out. Good to hear In The Clouds
live for the first time. Absolutely blistering versions of The Phoenix (best
song of the night) and Love Removal Machine. Overall, I think they need a
little more time to gel but once they do, look out. I am more chuffed than you would
believe about them being back together, it's about time music went a bit old skool
again, most modern stuff is pants.
Rob Hawthorne - robert.hawthorne@aspenpubl.com
Yeah Brother Wolf and Sister Moon's although 20 long year waiting for this moment
see The Cult right here in America that was crazing ball's man, they puting everything
back and got the road for my luck life the road pass trought here New York City, the
city what work 24 hours trought, they still doing the great what everybody want to
listen rock roll (on the rock) I got a lot people with me and was nice meet a lot
people from distance place, I wish they come back to here again.
Renatinho do skate - renatobfskt@yahoo.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
Phoenix
Love Removal Machine