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Photos

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 Reviews

It has been almost a month since the Dallas show, but what a month it has been.  The show and the people that make up the collective of Chain of Flowers has reinvigorated my passion for The Cure.

This is the third venue in which I have seen The Cure.  The first time was at the Starplex during the Prayer Tour, the second time during the Wish Tour at Texas Stadium and this time at the AA Center.

The first show was like fine cinema, the second time was like a party and this time was just different.  Much of this has to do with the setlist, those around you, etc.

The setlist was a good mixture of hits and darkness.  The opening song, "Underneath The Stars" was majestic, maybe not in the same way as "Plainsong" or "Faith" but with more power.  From there the set wound its way through many twists and turns.  It was great to hear songs I've never heard and to hear other songs that are like old friends.  I especially enjoyed to punked up version of I swear he said "Killing An Olive."

The audience was interesting.  There was a mixture of everything from grandmas and grandpas to children.  The odd collection made for an interesting atmosphere.  Unfortunately in my section, it seemed like going to a concert seemed like the cool thing to do on a Friday night rather than fans.  There were four people in front of us I just wanted to push over the ledge.  They were more interested in their gin and tonics and by the end of the concert, I wouldn't have had to push them very hard to get them over the ledge.  I understand we must deal, even with bad seeds, I just wish we didn't HAVE to.

I liked the T-shirts and purchased one but the program, while visually interesting was not as enticing as previous tours.  although I did purchase one anyway.

I must finish by saying thank you to my patient girlfriend, Chain of Flowers and The Cure.

- Christopher


I upgraded my 18th row seat to a 10th row seat.  Not that much of a difference, but I'm short and that's less people blocking my view.

65DOS started the evening playing to a mostly empty venue.  I thought they played well, but not something I would normally listen to.

Would the Cure play Underneath the (Dallas) Stars?  LOL!!!!  Yes, but I thought it would really be funny if they actually said Dallas Stars with
the banners hanging in the rafters.  This was a pleasure to hear live.

Prayers for Rain - Very good Raaaaiiiiiinnnnnnn or this one.  Robert showed no signs of his earlier in the tour voice problems.  It sounded like there might have been some keyboard backing tapes on this.  I'm not for certain.

A Night Like This - One of my favorite HOTD songs.  Porl's guitar doesn't sound loud enough.  That was a trend most of the night in my
opinion.

The Walk - It sounded different without the keyboard, but it was really good.  I've gotten to the point where I don't care if they ever play this song again, but the new arrangement made it sound fresh again to me.

The End of the World - I don't really care for this song, but it was fun telling my new friends sitting next to me what it was.  They seemed to
enjoy it.

Lovesong - Dallas audiences are so predictable.  This received the first real good response from the crowd.

To Wish Impossible Things - This was my first time hearing this song live.  It is so sad and beautiful at the same time.  I'm glad they played it.

Pictures of You - The crowd wakes up again.  Very good intro and the band sounds really good.

Lullaby - Robert having a good time on this one.  I still can't hear Porl's guitar.  I guess it's because he's playing the keyboard parts or something.

Fascination Street - The band is really getting into it.  The crowd is singing and dancing.  Very old and very young dancing side by side.

The Perfect Boy - My new friends are impressed I know all of the new songs.  Well, Duh?  I read COF to know what's going on.  Another new
song that sounds great live.  I have a feeling I'll be underwhelmed by the record because the live versions are so good.

From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea - Porl goes crazy, but I'd still like his guitar to sound louder.  Not too many "hands in the sky", but
like I said Dallas crowds are kinda lame.

Sleep When I'm Dead - Another great new song.  Most of the people around me sit down if they don't know the song.

Push - I love this song and the band did not disappoint me on this one.  A very good version.

Friday I'm in Love - It was Friday, so I expected this one tonight and the crowd goes wild.  I was surprised how well it sounded without the keys.  They pulled it off.

Inbetween Days - Once again, the crowd responds very well to the radio hits.

Just Like Heaven - The crowd singing almost louder than Robert on the radio hits.

Primary - Yes, yes, yes.  I haven't heard this song live since 1987.  It was a great treat for me.

Shake Dog Shake - A very slow version. Robert almost talking through the song.  Robert seemed to skip over some words.  Maybe he's still having
throat problems?

Never Enough - I wish Robert would play his guitar on this song.  I was surprised that Porl's guitar was enough, but this is a multi-guitar thrash about song.

The Only One - I think my new friends thought this was High when it first started.  I had to tell them it was the new single.  Another new song that sounds so good live.

Wrong Number - Not as good as I've heard them play it before, but the crowd responded well to it.

The Baby Screams - Another song I've never heard live.  This was a very good version and Robert was really into it.

One Hundred Years - This sounded a little different to me this time around.  Jason's playing has really gotten better.

Baby Rag Doll Book - The youtube videos don't do this song justice. Simon, Porl, Robert and Jason were all going nuts on this song.  This is
a great live song.

Old School encore:
Three Imaginary Boys - I love this song and it sounded a little different tonight.  Still good to hear though.

Fire in Cairo - Another song I've never heard live.  The band really seem to enjoy playing the old songs.

Boy's Don't Cry - The crowd wakes up again and everyone is dancing.

Jumping Someone Else's Train - I'm surprised how many people know this song around me because they all seemed to only know the radio hits.  A
very good version.

Grinding Halt - I love hearing all these songs live for the first time. I hope I hear some others in Austin and Houston.  Did Robert change up
the lyrics?  I believe so.

10:15 Saturday Night - Simon goes back to his ending instead of the way it sounds on the record.  I believe Curiosa was the only time I've heard
Simon play the ending like the record.

Killing an Arab - This was the most intense I've seen the band play this song since 1989.  The place went wild.

Pop Encore:
The Lovecats - Robert raised his hands at one point to indicate, "Why aren't you singing the keyboard part?"  My little group tried our best
to sing the parts.

Let's Go to Bed - Everyone dancing and singing.

Freakshow - Some people sit down because they don't know the song.  However a lot of people still dancing.

Close to Me - Robert works the stage.  The crowd is jumping.

Why Can't I Be You? - I wish they would still play the extended version, but I was happy to hear this song again.  Robert says, "I'll see what I
can do" before leaving the stage.

Last encore:  Would we get Faith, 17 seconds encore or something else? I was told they soundchecked The Drowning Man, The Holy Hour, Other
Voices and Club America.  I don't know if that was true or not.

A Forest - When they started playing this, I knew it was the last song of the night.  Simon is so awesome.  Porl left the stage before the song was over.  Robert and Simon jammed on.  Simon went crazy on his bass to end the song and kissed the picture of his kids on his amp.  Robert
says, "See you again."

A great ending to a horrible day I had.  Now on to Austin on Sunday.

- Joe R.

So, I have been wearing out my girlfriend for the last few weeks counting down going to The Cure concert.  I explained to her that I have been a huge Cure fan since I was 14 years old (I am soon to be 36) and that I have been to every Cure concert in Dallas since 92.  She says "Thank God this day is finally here, so I can get this over with"!
 
As usual, I get great seats for the show.  I was in the second row, center stage.  This was the closest I have even been, it was awesome.  Robert was in a great mood through out the show.  He was smiling , dancing, and very playful; more than any of the other shows that I have been to.  At the beginning of the show, the crowd was pretty lame, but as the night went on The Cure brought them into a fury.  Up front, there were several girls dancing non-stop.
 
I will leave it to someone else to review each song performed.  I was pleased with the setlist.  The new songs were great.  And even though it isn't one of my favorites, it was a Friday - I'm in Love kind of night.  The Three Imaginary Boys encore rocked the house; the pop songs encore had everyone singing; and A Forest to end the show was classic.
 
It was another great evening with The Cure.  And even though it isn't her kind of music(and the weird looking people kind of freak her out) , my girlfriend says that she enjoyed it too.  She is saying that New Kids on the Block were her favorite as a kid and I am going to have to take her to see them, this could be a deal breaker ....
 
- Rich