Photos

WOW!!!  what a day!!!  The setlist has been talked about often, and I agree it was incredible....  Like Cockatoos is an all-time fave live, and they nailed it!!  Simon's bass had the ground shaking in the pavilion!!  Never sounded incredibly powerful, Siamese Twins was a treat, and the encore was perfect if we could only have one!!!  Anniversary was just thunderous, and emotional.....  and the Promise, well, what can you say that hasn't been said... just stellar.... anytime Robert rolls up that right sleeve, you know it is going to be a religious experience!!!!!
 
My biggest observation, however, was something I wonder if anyone else noticed....   after the first couple songs of the Cure's set, which seemed to start a bit shaky up until about the 5th song, members of the other bands were gathering at the side stage.....   members of Interpol, the Rapture, Mogwai, Melissa Auf De Maur were all side stage, most on the right as you looked at the stage....  I found myself totally amazed by the respect, reverance, and passion they all showed towards the Cure's music and performance....  Melissa and the bass player from Interpol were really rocking their heads and jumping a lot during FTEOTDGS and One Hundred Years, and it was almost like they felt they were looking at their idols, much like many of us in the audience felt!!  Interpol's lead singer was screaming along to EVERY LYRIC, seemed to know EVERY WORD!!!  It really was great to see the Cure's peers from the younger generation confirming the musical talent of the guys!  They could have been anywhere, backstage, out at bars, but they were absolutely transfixed, and seemed to enjoy the show as much or more than us non-performing folk, which I think speaks volumes about the true impact the Cure has had on each of them.....
 
Can't wait for Detroit........
 
THE ABOVE PART COULD PROBABLY BE A REVIEW, I GUESS!!!!
 
Also got to meet some of the band afterwards, was really a great time....  All were incredibly nice and pleasant, and very friendly, just regular guys (who happen to sonically be the greatest band in the world)...... all were very accessible, and it was pretty interesting to see and hear them in this relaxed, post show, winding down environment....

- 100years

Amazing set-list, amazing show!!!  Felt a little sorry for the friend who went with me, because he's not such a die hard cure fan and the set list tonight was definitely tailored to the hardcore fan!  Very few singles compared to most shows.  Not that I'm complaining!  Set list above looks accurate.  Can't say enough about the show!  F'ing AWESOME!!!  Lost/Shake Dog hadn't been put together in the opening before, and when they didn't play Fascination Street third (like they have every prior night) I had a feeling I was in for something SPECIAL! Won't comment on all songs but here are some of my thoughts:

Lost - I was on the fence about which opener I wanted before the show, but now I'm really glad it was Lost.  I've seen Plainsong live and I love Lost on the album.  When they came on stage Robert was right there with them and hastily strapped on his guitar, so you knew it was going to be Lost.  I've heard/read that Lost hasn't been sounding all that great live but I was VERY impressed and happy with it.  It didn't have that even, measured, build-up as can only truly be accomplished in the studio, but it sounded great!  Very aggressive. 

Shake Dog Shake - What can I say but WOW!  A very aggressive Lost spilling over into a mind-blowing Shake Dog Shake.  The intensity and
aggression that was pouring out of the speakers was fantastic.  Robert was really leaning hard into the vocals.  Outstanding.

Anniversary - one of my favorites from the new album that hasn't been played often so far.  Sounded great!

Pictures of You - Really strong version.  The band was particularly tight for most of the show and pictures of you really shined brightly! Robert and Simon stood toe to toe and exchanged some kind of quick joke just before they started.  Tremendous version.

Siamese Twins - WOW!  Totally wasn't expecting this one.  Robert said something to the effect of "This is the first time we're playing this
next song."  And again I was thinking "this set list is going to be awesome!"  A really punchy version.  Just great. 

Like Cockatoos - !!!!!  Again, Robert mentioned that they are playing a lot of different songs tonight.  One of the very best songs of the night.  A very forceful version.  I can't get over how great Simon sounded all night long.

FTEOTDGS - Blew my socks off!  Brilliant!  I have to give credit wherecredit is due.  I'm one who preferred Porl on guitar over Perry.  But Perry made this song last night.  His solo EXPLODED out of his guitar and all over everything and everybody.  Just incredible.  Well done Perry!

Strange Day & 100 Years - both great.

Never - This is my least favorite song on the new album.  I skip over it almost every time I'm listening to the album.  But again, to give credit where credit is due, this was one of the most intensely played songs of the night.  It throbbed right through me.  I was hugely surprised!  Not that I like the song any better for it as far as the album goes, but it came off great live.

The Promise - On the album this song just doesn't sit right for me, but live it is really in its natural element.  Truly a fantastic performance.

The Encores (I would have paid the ticket price just for these three alone)!

The Drowning Man - !!!!!!!!!  Just about had a heart attack when this one started!!  I only went to one Dream Tour show and had been hoping
back then for the Faith version of the Dream Tour set list and got the Pornography version instead.  I love Pornography mind you, but had seen
the pornography songs before and really wanted to hear Drowning Man live.  Well I had to wait 4 more years, but it was worth it!  A dripping
wet version, just out of this world (if you'll excuse the pun).

Charlotte Sometimes - The best live version I've heard of this one!!  It really came off great.  I'd love to get a soundboard recording of this to see if it really sounded that good or if I was just sitting in the perfect spot.  This one often doesn't come off so great live, but tonight it was magic.  I was thrilled.

Faith - Simply amazing.  Truly.  A long, beautiful version.  After the proper lyrics they played their instruments for a while and just as you thought they would start winding it down Robert worked his way back to the mic and ad-libbed a number of verses.  I couldn't make out much of what he sang, and have forgotten some of what I could, but at the end he kept repeating something along the lines of "whatever I say to you, must be true."  Maybe someone else can remember it better.  But a fantastic way to end a fantastic show.

Overall impressions:  Again, probably the best set list so far, if you are a hardcore fan.  I can't believe my luck!!  Was very surprised at how edgy they sounded.  In a really good way.  Don't know if it's the Orange amps they have this time around or what but they sounded tremendous.  Robert was really in great form vocal-wise - very intense, lots of oomph.  And speaking of oooomph - Simon probably gets the 'player of the game' award.  Just a fantastic performance.  Very tight, very aggressive, his sound punched right through you and his playing was tremendous.  Simon - you just blew me away last night!  I've seen them a number of times over the years, and while it doesn't reach the heights of the Mansfield '89 shows (the best I've ever heard from any band), it was surprisingly close.  I wasn't expecting that at all and am still awash in the thrill of the show.  Just amazing!!

- Jim

Show was high energy and lots of fun. The other postings are accurate as far as I can remember. Setlist was indeed a treat for long-time fans. Highlights were many, including "Cockatoos," "Drowning Man," and "Siamese Twins."

A couple things I noticed: Robert is playing much "twangier" guitar parts on songs such as "Pictures of You." As in the Trilogy DVD, his guitar is softer and less noticeable on "Pictures of You," "High," and a couple others. I think this takes away from the power of the originals. I prefer the Live CD "Show" sounding guitar.

Also, the base was too overpowering on "High," and the mix on FTEOTDGS was muddled; you couldn't hear the various parts played by each. Perry, sadly, is no Porl. Not sure if this was the fault of Blossom Music Center's amphitheatre sound system or what.

Left with a great feeling, though.

Robert didn't say a whole lot to the crowd, but you could actually hear the "Thank" in "Thank you" instead of just "Q." Ahh, the little things that make us happy.

- Brian T. Seiler

Other setlists:
Interpol: same as the rest of the tour
 
The Rapture: same as Camden, except they reversed the second and third songs, and they played "Heaven" instead of "Echoes."
 
Mogwai:
Mogwai Fear Satan
Christmas Steps
Hunted by a Freak
Ithica 27 (/) 9
Ratts of the Capital
 
All of the mainstage bands were fantastic again, although Interpol's vocals were mixed a little low.  I'm looking forward, too, to seeing Mogwai and the Rapture in Pittsburgh tonight in a SMALL VENUE.  My friend and I are also having epic visions of some "unknown" band (called, perhaps, "Splintered in Her Head?") opening...
 
In any case, after last night's show, the Camden show, and the St. Louis and Chicago Dream Tour shows, I'm beginning to realize that I'm a magnet
for fucking amazing Cure performances.  So, CoF readers, I'm proposing a deal: you should all take up a collection to fly me around the country
so that I can attend the Cure shows and ensure great sets.  Deal?  No?  Damn...
 
But seriously, folks...One of the best things about seeing the Cure perform live is that they always have the potential to surprise the hell out of you.  This show at least proved that, if nothing else.  From the moment that they kicked into "Shake Dog Shake" instead of "Labyrinth," I knew that the boys had something up their sleeves; of course, I couldn't have guessed that they had THIS MUCH up those sleeves.  "Anniversary" for the second time in three shows (and a much better performance of it than in Camden), "Siamese Twins" (!!!), and "Like Cockatoos" (!!!).  One of the biggest surprises of the show came after "Lovesong:" I expected Robert to pick up his acoustic to go into "Inbetween Days," "Just Like Heaven," etc.  Well, needless to say, he picked up an electric, went into a breathtaking performance of "Pictures of You" (yes, I know it's a single, but it sure doesn't feel like one live), and left the "pop" singles (including "Fascination Street" as well) on the sideline for the duration of the show.  When (other than TV performances, etc.) was the last time the Cure played a show without "Inbetween Days," "JLH," and "Fascination St.?"  Unbelievable...
 
And then, the encore...After such a heavy set, I figured that "Charlotte Sometimes" and "Faith" were on the way, but I certainly didn't anticipate "The Drowning Man."  They didn't have the electronic drums this time, but Jason was more than adequate to the task, and the majority of the pit lent their hands in clapping along.  "CS" was wonderful again.  And, this was one of the two best (perhaps even the best) performance of "Faith" I've ever seen (the other best performance being Chicago 2000): extremely moving and powerful.  So much of the pit was singing/mouthing along with Robert, until we all noticed the tears running down his face, and everyone stopped, awestruck, completely captivated by the moment.  Last night's "Faith" was filled with despair, quite unlike the meagrely hopeful performances of the Dream Tour ("there's nothing left...but love," remember?).  This time, after a politically charged ad-lib portion, the song ended with the far more bleak, "there's nothing left..."  Robert left the stage, turning back several times to glimpse the crowd one last time with tearful eyes.
 
I thought that they'd come back for a second, more upbeat encore, but I'm glad that they didn't; on the whole, the show was dark and brooding,
and to defuse that mood would have lessened the power of their performance.  This show was easily the best Curiosa show that I've seen so far (I know, I know, I've only seen two so far, but Camden was a good one, too), and it even makes it into the ranks of the Dream Tour shows--even some of the BEST Dream Tour shows.  True, they only played 19 songs instead of 26, but you have to figure that, to extend the setlist, they probably just would have reinserted the singles that they pulled for this show.  In any case, despite being a bit more concentrated than the Dream Tour sets, this show was every bit as intense and moving.
 
A couple final notes: "The Promise" sounds amazing live; Robert's wah-wah guitar work makes me crave "The Kiss."  "Before 3" continues to
come off poorly when I see it; the bass drowns out everything else.  And, finally, after seeing the Cure perform many times, this was the first time that I got to be in the pit.  I can't describe how different it is.  I'm sure that the sound isn't quite as good that close to the stage, but the show feels much more personal, which made such an emotional performance particularly powerful.
 
On to Columbia, which, unfortunately, will be where I get off this ride...

- Jon Feinberg

I hate to admit it, but I had a great time at the Curiosa Festival!  For me, it really helped to come in with no expectations...which I think is the key to having a good time here. Essentially, attitude and our purpose for coming to the show made a big difference in how we reacted to everything we did and heard.  Being parents of two young children and having stressful jobs, my husband and I were just thankful from the very beginning that we were able to get away from all of that and just enjoy each other as a couple to see our favorite band.  It also helped that I got great seats and we were two rows behind the pit (thanks Craig for the HOB heads up on the pre-sale!).   Throughout the day, we leisurly walked around the beautiful woods surrounding Blossom and enjoyed people watching, admiring the many colorful hairstyles and clothing people wore like flashy peacocks.  I had fun dressing up too, though it wasn't anything like how the younger crowd dressed...I'm a little too old for that now, but it was still fun.
 
We had to dodge heavy downpours on occassion, so we missed most second stage acts unfortuntely, but will hopefully catch up on them when we go
to the show in Detroit.  We did get to hear a little bit of Auf DerMar, but wasn't really impressed by the third song, so we left.  She didn't sound anything like how her own site and other people have described her music, so I didn't know her songs would have bass riffs out of Faith No More and of course, Hole.  I would have though she would have chosen something that was a departure from all of that, but since I'm not into P.J Harvey sounding women rockers, I guess she too didn't do anything for my musical taste.  Of course, she was preceeded by Mogwai, which was awesome and completely different from her musically.  The best way to describe them is a giant sunami of sound.  Wear earplugs.  I didn't and paying for the price with horrible ringing in my ears 18 hours later.  We can't wait to hear them again...if I'm still able to hear at all.  : )
 
Okay, blame it on the Merlot, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Rapture.  They were extremely energetic and the singer literally got into the crowd...he even dodged passed the pit and sang standing on top of the seats.  His voice as elements of Robert when he sings his silly arias and alot of their music carried classic sounds of The Clash, Bahaus riffs, and jazz/funk.  They even used the saxaphone in a way that made you wonder if Porl was there behind the curtain playing his and the guy on stage was mock.  So for those who hated them, if you are not into jazz/funk or energetic silliness, I can understand why most of you have been unmerciful.  However, the whole crowd really got into them and they were alot of fun!
 
We didn't see Thursday, because we again, were doging a little rain and also had to wait in line for the bathrooms.  But from what I could hear in the distance, the singer definitely did sound alot like Robert Smith.  I don't think they will be in Detroit...bummer.
 
We came back in time for Interpol and we liked them in the end.  The first song wasn't anything special, but gradually, we warmed up to them and I agree that they do sound very much like Joy Division and bands of their ilk.  I think the guy puffing away while playing bass was quite a character and we called him the "Smoking Man".  Overall, the band sounded great and was a good choice to set up the Cure, though I think Mogwai would have been better, but then everyone would be deaf and what woudl be the point.  
 
We didn't see Muse because we were trying to hold ground behind the pit for the Cure, but the bouncer was real strict and made us go back to our
little rows.  I think it is real annoying that the front row doesn't have to stay in their seats, so why not take theirs over? Anyway, there were a few people I met who were dissapointed that Muse was scheduled before the Cure because they came to see them as well, but didn't want to lose their position in the pit.  So if the Cure read this, schedule Muse earlier...you'll make lots of fans happy.
 
And now for the Cure.  As I said in the beginning, I had no expectations...and I was rewarded for it.  To hear Like Cockatoos, Drowning Man,  Siamese Twins, Anniversary, A Strange Day and Faith was a dream come true.  Everything they played I wanted to hear. The one real suprise for me was hearing Never.  Despite the scathing things I said about it concerning its presence on the album, it is one of those songs that have to be heard live because it sounded great.  Although the setlist scored a 10 for me, there seemed to be a lack of enthusiasm coming from band. Robert didn't interact with the crowd, except muttering a few announcements here and there about songs about to be played. I don't know if it was because the weather was so crappy or because the crowd acted like Zombies (even those in the pit), but there was just a depressed feel about their set. Those factors probably didn't help their moral, which seemed low.  Robert didn't even say a word after he left the stage, so I wonder if he left unhappy?  However, the way he sang Faith was so intense and beautiful, it looked like he was crying while singing it...how could he really say a word following that?  My only complaint, if I may, was that the Cure were too loud for their own good. Most of their songs sounded distorted and did not translate very well that have done otherwise in the past.  Roberts beautiful, melodic guitar/bass playing seemed overpowered by Simon and Perry. It was even difficult to hear Roger.  (Fire the sound mixer!)  Despite this, I just enjoyed the show for what it was and spent the day reconnecting with who I am, my husband, and avoid becoming the "Lost" person like in the song.  What I did end up becoming was that obnoxious, hyper-moping, singing-every-word-to-everysong-played fan that nobody wants to stand next to and had a hell of a good time.  Again, blame it on the second glass of Merlot.
 
- Stephanie Subu

The set tonight was quite a suprise, especially after the cinci show and the changes they made compared to the rest of the shows they have
played.  Overall I would say it was a solid show that dipped back into some of the songs I love hearing.  And I must add that after seeing them
6 other times, finally getting to hear faith was well worth it.  Such a beautiful song, and a great way to end the show.  As for the set list, it is very out of order, although I can only help so much.  The encore was as follows: Drowining Man, Charlotte Somtimes, and Faith.  I know this is 100% correct.  In fact, I had a little sign with me that said Faith on it in high hopes that they would play it, and as they came out for the encore, Roger happened to see it and gave me the thumbs up.  I was quite excited of course.  The last three songs of the set were 100 years, Never (i think it was never), and The promise (I'm about 90% sure of this.)  As for the rest of the set, i think it went something like this:  Lost, Shake Dog Shake, Before 3, High, Lovesong, Pictures of you, The end of the world, Siamese twins, maybe someday, like cockatoos, Edge of the deep green sea, strange day folowed by 100 years, never, and the promise.  Obviosly I'm trying to do this from memory and some things aren't right either, but I know the encore is right, i'm pretty sure the last 3 are right, and I know the first 2 are right, and that lovesong was before pictures of you.  I'm pretty sure that Siamese twins was the song they played when robert said they were going to do stuff a little differently, followed by maybe sunday, and like cockatoos.  As for green
see not sure that was there or not but it felt later in the set list.  Also, I'm not sure about the curfew part, seemed like they were pretty much right on schedule.  But i don't know for sure.
 
Anyway, sorry to give you such a jumble of an email, but Karen's set list is very out of order.  She was right though that the show was quite
something.  Based on what they had been playing I sure wasn't expecting to hear what they did play.  It was a nice compliment to the Cincinatti
show in most ways, and those who heard both will likely agree.  Well, hope this helps.  Thanks for keeping the sight in such great shape for so long.  Goodnight.
 
- Ryan Robinson

OMG!!!!!  What a treat it was for Ohio Fans tonight....
 
Lost, Shake Dog Shake for an opening!  I was telling my friend that would be so cool if they played the opposite of the Cinnci show which was
Plainsong/Labrynth...and it happened for the 1st time!  Too cool.
 
Robert said 'We're playing some different songs tonight'.   He said 'I'm feeling sad'.  It had rained on and off all day but no rain after 6:30
but cloudy and cool.  Must have affected his mood some possibly.
 
Awesome show.  So totally surprised to hear Siamese Twins, Like Cockatoos, Drowning Man, Charlotte Sometimes and Faith.

They really played with passion.  Shake dog shake was great too....High and Maybe Someday were a little 'off' but after that it just got better and better.  Like Cockatoos was amazing as was 100 Yrs.  I think the Promise was probably the most intense song.  My head is still spinning.  A night I'll never forget. 

Tired - off to bed now.

- Karen