The Cure Manchester Arena 29.11.2016

The Cure Manchester Arena 29.11.2016

 

This band I remember mainly from '1990's Era formed of 'Souixsee & The Banshees' members 'The Cure' were formed in the ashes of the original line up of the late 70's.

 

 

They were then predominantly 'Gothic' til their more lighter pop surfaced in the mid to end of the 80's on 'High' and 'Kiss Me Kiss Me' albums and of course from the 90's era they proved to to be an unstoppable force which spawned some glorious singles.

 

 

So why has it took me so long, well they don't tour often and choose to play 'Italy','France' and 'America' than over here in the U.K. when I heard about this tour I just had to get a ticket and Go.

 

 

I arrive early morning with blankets and handwarmers and a supply of food, to no one queuing its deserted "I thought where is Everyone??" I found that 'Cure' fans don't queue they just turn up.

 

 

 

However I quickly met up with some cool fans who were following them on this tour we set about numbering up people and kept warm whilst we waited, it was very cold that the trip back to local fast food outlet and toilets was necessary and a blessing in disguise.

 

 

Even as the doors open early at 5.30pm  there are only 30 of us , I quickly break the news about the venue being a nightmare and to watch the stairs theres no rail, my aim is to make sure as a group we end up at the nearest door and we look out for each other , the fans are fun to hang out with were mainly girls most from America travelling to Europe to see the band.

 

 

Something's gone amiss already the guys queueing at the end door were told it wouldn't open and then they opened it... but luckily they joined our queue in number order ,it took a lot of shouting for me to get people to step back and let them in its only fair they are numbered,but we managed it.. just, the saving grace is there is only at least a 100 and up to 40 of us are numbered.

 

 

We're awaiting wristbanding and go down Rule 1 : Never worry about getting to the front barrier until you are on the floor its no use looking at what's going on and panicking.

 

 

I manage a polite jog and run for the barrier centre I note that most of my team of giggers made it too from what I can see #Relief.

 

 

Support band 'Twilight Sad' were supporting I've seen them a few times, they are on early in readiness for 'The Cure' to start an earlier timeslot they are an Indie band spawned of a love  of 'Glasvegas' and 'Joy Division', lead singer has changed he's a shadow of the man I remember now very slim .

 

By 7.30pm 'The Cure' appear on stage with a track I don't recognise,'Robert' hadn't changed that much with his wild hair smudged lipstick heavy black eyeliner and trademark baggy jumper , there are only 2 original members as 'Lol Tolhurst' the original drummer left a while back.

 

 

 

 

 So bassist 'Simon Gallup' and 'Robert' are the visualists tonight with 'Simon' doing his best 'Joe Strummer' impersonation in a 'Iron Maiden' t-shirt, doing his rock star thing on the amps.

 

 

The crowd are laid back and seem to be taking a while to get into it, there is not much chat from 'Robert' its hit after hit the brilliant 'The Walk' that has that delicious hook on keyboards and the inspired 80's sound captured in underground clubs all over the U.K. and U.S.A. at the time and the hits keep coming with 'In Between Days' ,'Pictures Of You' and title track from album 'High' from 1990.

 

 

 

We get 'Love Song' and the absolute indie classic 'Just Like Heaven' from 1987 with those recognisable chords on guitar, everyone is bouncing to it now its on ,they go off the stage for an encore.

 

 

The screens used in backdrop of the set are awesome the effects hi tech state of the art animation and video visuals, as 'A Forest' begins the next set ..I'm surprised as they walk off again I've never seen so many walk on walk off in one show guitar changes and equipment tweeks phew!.

 

They arrive back for another encore with the ultra dark 'Lullaby' with a spider climbing in a web behind 'Robert' and the band ,its fascinating to watch no expense spared technological genius in fact.

 

I cant believe I'm hearing my fav 90's song 'Friday I'm In Love', there was so much more to come 'Boys Don't Cry' and the stand out personal moment after 'Close To Me' where 'Robert' came around the mic stand sneakily with hand up to his face crouched and stared at me and the fans on the front row I actually got eye contact ,I think he liked my hat, a fellow gigger noted  .

 

 

Then off they went again I wondered what it was.. 3rd encore in during 'Why Cant I Be You' and after 'Robert' put his hands together in a 'Thank you' to us he mouthed the words "That's it Thank You,Goodnight" the reason I was stunned he'd gone off is normally there are more songs in a 'Cure' set but I guess the crowd weren't hungry enough or the venue wanted it to finish for 10.30pm.

 

 

It was a shame I didnt hear 'Never Enough' which I was holding out for I wanted 'Lets Go To Bed', 'Wrong Number', but having said that they did play some absolute classics tonight, I finally got to see their show.

 

It was great commeradrie between the fans and a truly great night out.

 

 

#IndieGold

 

 

See you soon Gigger's!!

 

LMi xo