For most of the concerts I've gone to over the past few years,
it seems the venue has been intent on overpowering the audience with their
sound system. Make them feel it, sound quality be damned! I'm
happy to say that, at least from where I was sitting (left of stage), the
sound quality was excellent, while still being able to feel it. There
were a few times I had trouble hearing Porl in the mix, but maybe they just
panned him right. Most of the time, the quality was superb, and frankly,
everything they played sounded amazing, whether it was your favorite song
or not. Robert was in a good mood, and it came through on his performances.
I don't know what it is about Porl. He adds a spark to the band, and
you could feel the intensity all night. The venue started off about
half full, but I'd say it eventually reached three-quarters. A typical
Cure crowd, old and young alike, with a few goths mixed in for good measure.
Security was tight about cameras, so I don't think I'll relive many moments
on YouTube 
. The highlights for me were:
Underneath the Stars - I was really hoping they would start off with this,
so I was very happy when the waves rushed in. Robert kicked the vocals
up to another level at the end of the song, so I knew he would be in good
form that night, and he was!
A Perfect Boy - This is my favorite of the new pop songs, and the vocals
were great. I think they played all 6 new songs we've heard.
I can't wait for the new album!
Other Voices - Simon sounded phenomenal!
Push - Go! Go! Go! The crowd was into it, and how could they not be?
Doing the Unstuck - I've always liked this song, but you haven't heard Unstuck
until you've heard it live. Porl went ballistic on the solo!
Baby Rag Dog Book - I'm still trying to work out the melody to this song
(if there is one), but god damn this song kicks ass live!
17 Seconds Encore - Like everything else, it sounded great. I
liked seeing some of the younger people in the audience sing the lyrics.
It makes me feel not too old 
, and that the Cure are still connecting with new people beyond their pop
songs.
Pop Encore - They turned up the bass for this part of the show, and since
my ears were ringing a little by this point, it didn't sound that great.
I couldn't make out everything, but Robert kept picking on himself saying
things like "rubbish" and "we'll never play that again". Compared
to the rest of the night, it was not as good, but who cares! It was
a lot of fun, and that was the point.
Final Encore - The good sound was back and all three songs were great.
I thought they might end the show on something more epic or low tempo, but
I can't complain. Killing an Arab is so intense live!
Robert walked the entire stage slowly, hand over heart, soaking in the audience,
before leaving. I thought there might be a fourth encore, until the
venue finally turned on the lights. This was one of the best shows
I've ever been to. I don't know if it tops New Orleans '96, but it's
definitely high on the list.
- Joel
My love for the Cure has been refreshed
and renewed (same here! - Craig). I have
seen the Cure 10 times and I would rate the Atlanta (Gwinnett) show very
close to (if not) my favorite!
I have always loved them in New Orleans but
the Atlanta - Lakewood Ampitheatre shows always left me feeling like
some intensity was missing. But I really feel like the intensity was
back at the Gwinnett show. For what it's worth, I love that the Cure
has such a devoted fan base and I have much respect for all the other devoted
fans. That being said, I really could not care less about the
crowd at the show. The Cure is so much a part of me that I considered
the Sunday night show to be "my night" to see my favorite band in my hometown, I
completely tuned out anyone else at the show. The venue seemed fairly
packed to me but again, who cares. Obviously Robert didn't, they played
37 songs and played them strong.
The Cure were very tight, loud and intense.
Robert messed up some of the words in Unstuck and one or two others but it
didn't matter, he always made up for it. Porl was incredible!
He played many of the synthesizer parts on his guitar. There were a
few songs that could have used the keyboards but I got over it. I
paid top dollar for tickets very close to the front and it was worth every
penny.
I am very jealous of the Sunrise setlist but
still satisfied with hearing Push, M, Play For Today, Charlotte and
TWIT. I could have lived without HHH, Close to Me and BRDB. But
that's ok, there always have to be some great songs that don't get played
and some 'not so great' ones. My only real criticism is with 'A
Perfect Boy'. I think the phrasing, title, and vocal style are too
similar to other songs and I just don't like it.
Did anyone meet the band after the show?
I had planned on going to the back of the venue to try and meet them but
the Arena security rushed us out like I had never seen before. Does
the Cure still meet fans after the show near the bus?
As a setlist comparison, the Gwinnett show was
nowhere near as good as Sunrise. But still I loved it!!
9.5/10
- Jim
I wasn't going to go. It was killing me. Though I "discovered"
the Cure much later than most die-hard Cure fans (the 90's- Swing Tour
to be exact), I love them dearly. Their music has carried me through
many emotional situations in my life. After the show got cancelled
last year and I found out my younger sister was moving back to the West
Coast, I had to return the tickets. I spent the past 2 months begging
someone to go with me to this show. Finally, on the Wednesday before
the show (after I sent him a set list from another show the Cure had recently
played), my dear husband surprised me with tickets! I was ecstatic
all week. It was fitting. I got through some horrible times
in my life by listening to Disentegration, FTEOTDGS and Doing the Unstuck
over and over and over. My husband proposed (well kinda- he picked
out a ring) when the jewelry store was playing Lovesong. Our processional
walk at our wedding was to the intro of Trust (guess I'll never see that
song live again). And our honeymoon was scheduled around
a Cure show in London. So it was fitting that my hubby surprised
me with tix as an early anniversary present.
This was my 6th Cure show. 1st was in Nashville, 1996.
Atlanta, 2000. Curiosa, Nashville; HFS Festival, DC; festival in
London; and now Atlanta, 2008. This was by far the best Cure show
I have ever seen. I had been really upset when Roger departed...the
Cure w/o keyboards...how will it sound? Absofuckinglutely wonderful.
All 4 members rocked our socks off.
I went to the show hoping for about 5 songs (I reasonably thought
I'd get about 3 of them). I was a little worried because the venue
wasn't packed, but after the Cure took the stage, I knew the diverse group
was in to it. Loved UTS. Then WANT! OMG - one of
the songs I really wanted to hear. Strange Day - pleasantly unexpected.
Love that song. Every song that followed was a dream. I had
told my sister on the phone before the show that I really wanted to hear
Doing the Unstuck....that song has such a special place in my heart.
When they played the first few notes, I freaked out and starting crying.
All the emotion from the late 90's came rushing back. I saw a few
others in the crowd appreciate it as much as I did.
This was the most I have ever seen Robert interact with the crowd.
My husband and I were shocked. During Other Voices, he walked to
the far side of the stage and thrilled the crowd. He came our way
during Lets Go to Bed - a real treat. Oh, though I couldn't understand
all he said, I did catch that he introduced Love Cats as "fucking rubbish"
(with a smile). Simon and Robert really tore up A Forest, with Simon
on his knee rocking out the ending.
I felt a little bad because my husband really likes darker Cure songs
better; I on the other hand, love them all, but do appreciate a good mix...and
for goodness sake - you can't help but dance to the pop songs when they
are played live. I danced the whole freaking night. I was in
my own little Cure world. Apparently I wasn't the only one...hubbie
saw quite a few people in trances as well. I was pleasantly
surprised by the crowd (most crowds in Atlanta tend to be quite boring).
At the end, Robert slowly walked across the stage. It looked like
he was savoring every moment, one of the few times I've seen him look a
little sad to leave the stage. I know I was sad- I always fear when
a show ends that it will be the last time I will ever see them live.
Robert, Simon, Jason and Porl - thanks for bringing back the magic.
Hope to see you again..
- Samantha (strangegrl)
Sunday night was my fourth time seeing The Cure in concert, and while
I loved the show, I would put it down as my least favorite. The
crowd around me was not really into it, let alone there wasn’t much of
a crowd inside the arena. I don’t know what it is with Atlanta and The Cure
concerts I’ve seen, but only one I’ve been to have sold out. Second,
I miss them not having a keyboardist. Some of the songs seem to
be missing something without that extra instrument. That said, I
still loved the show.
I
thought all the new songs they sprinkled in the most of their hits were
great! This new album is going to be good. My favorite part
of the show was near the end when they played Charlotte Sometimes through
the first encore. My friend and I were dancing so hard to that stretch
of songs. It was so great.
I
don’t know about the rest of you who may read this, but each time I see
The Cure live, the day to follow seems so sad. If I could relive that
concert and the others I’ve seen before I would.
And
a question to anyone that went to the Atlanta
show (technically in Duluth,
Georgia)?
Did anyone see the guy dressed up like Robert Smith? He looked like
a cross between a bad Robert Smith impersonation and Napoleon Dynamite.
I should have took a picture. If anyone has it, they should post
it.
To close,
the concert was very good and I hope they continue to tour for years to
come. Robert, hire a keyboardist! J
- Jacob
