The Cure are one of the most iconic and influential alternative rock bands of all time. Formed in the late 1970s, the band rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Close To Me,” and “Just Like Heaven.” The Cure’s distinct gloomy and melancholy sound, paired with lead singer Robert Smith’s iconic voice and image, cemented them as goth rock legends.
Even after over 40 years together, The Cure continue to tour and play shows to legions of dedicated fans. But how are they live these days? With Robert Smith now in his 60s, can The Cure still deliver an incredible concert experience? Let’s take a look at what fans and critics are saying about The Cure’s live performances in recent years.
Setlists Play The Hits But Include Deep Cuts
The Cure are renowned for having an extensive back catalog of music, with 13 studio albums and more than 40 singles. At their concerts, The Cure aim to please longtime fans by digging deep into their discography and playing some more obscure songs. However, they balance this out with a healthy dose of their classics and biggest hits.
Most recent setlists feature surefire crowd-pleasers like “Friday I’m In Love,” “Lovesong,” and “Pictures of You.” They’ll also haul out early gothic masterpieces like “A Forest” or “Play For Today.” Fan favorites such as “Lullaby,” “The Walk,” and “Mint Car” also tend to make appearances.
But The Cure aren’t afraid to delve into deep cuts like “The Exploding Boy” from 1989’s Disintegration or “Before Three” from 2000’s Bloodflowers. Hardcore Cure fans love when the band pulls out these rare treats. Overall, The Cure’s setlists satisfy both casual fans and more devoted followers.
Lengthy, Marathon Shows
The Cure have always been known for their marathon concerts, often playing two dozen songs or more and keeping fans enthralled for over two hours. Unlike some older bands that play shorter shows, The Cure’s concerts remain sprawling events.
On their recent 2016/17 tour celebrating the anniversary of Disintegration, The Cure played most shows for about 140 minutes, with the longest concert lasting an epic 160 minutes. Even without the special Disintegration component, recent set lengths average between 25-30 songs over 2+ hours. When they headline festivals, The Cure’s sets clock in between 90-120 minutes.
For comparison’s sake, some veteran bands like the Rolling Stones average only 18-20 songs per show now. The Cure cram in far more material, to the delight of concertgoers. Fans routinely walk away feeling like they got their money’s worth.
Impressive Stage Productions and Visuals
While The Cure aren’t exactly known for over-the-top theatrical stages and special effects, they do create an immersive visual experience to complement their music. Lighting designer Paul Normandale has worked with the band since the 1980s and his inventive work is an integral part of The Cure’s live show.
Normandale’s lighting schemes utilize vivid colors, moody darkness, striking backdrops, smoke, and minimalist visuals. The effect is both colorful and monochromatic, perfectly enhancing the band’s sound. Custom video content adds another visual layer. Recent tours have incorporated HD screens to put fans closer to the action.
The staging also provides intimacy, withRobert Smith frequently interacting with the audience in an engaging way. As a live act, The Cure stands in contrast to bands who rely more on spectacle. Instead, the focus remains on captivating musical performances and visuals that amplify the songs.
Robert Smith’s Voice Holds Up Well
Considering his age and the range needed to sing The Cure’s songs, there was some concern over the state of Robert Smith’s vocals in a live setting. But by all accounts, Smith’s voice still delivers. Though he utilizes strategic vocal rest to conserve his energy on tour, during shows his singing retains The Cure’s melancholy magic.
Yes, Smith’s voice shows signs of aging after so many years, with a little more huskiness and creakiness compared to his youthful vocals. He can’t always hit every high note with perfect clarity like he once did. But reviewersexpress pleasant surprise at how impressive Smith sounds these days. He remains capable of stirring vocals on The Cure’s best ballads and belting out the rockers with force.
Much praise is directed at Smith for adapting his approach over the years to suit his evolving voice. Using smart arrangements and vocal techniques, he remains one of rock’s most distinctive frontmen.
Band Remains Tight Musically
With Robert Smith being the only constant member over The Cure’s 40+ year career, the musicians backing him have changed many times. The current core lineup of Simon Gallup on bass, Jason Cooper on drums, and Roger O’Donnell on keys has been playing together since the mid-90s, giving them strong chemistry as a band.
Reviewers note how adeptly The Cure recreate their music in a live setting. The performances feel faithful and fresh, balancing raw energy with nuance. From thundering drums and diff tones to swirling keyboards and jangly guitars, The Cure’s instruments coalesce into a gothic rock sonic palette that satisfies.
The musicianship displays the right blend of polish and imperfections to keep things organic. Jams on certain songs like “One Hundred Years” evolve differently each night. The Cure remain an inspired live act.
What Do Critics Say About The Cure’s Recent Concerts?
Professional reviewers tend to agree that The Cure continue to deliver the goods in concert. Here’s a sampling of impressions from recent tours:
Disintegration Anniversary Shows (2016/17)
“Thirty years on, Disintegration remains Robert Smith’s masterpiece – an album that distilled his musical and lyrical concerns into a towering monolith of gothic rock. So it was entirely apt that The Cure chose to play it in its entirety. They remain a formidable live presence, with Smith’s keening, see-sawing vocals intact despite his years of service.” – The Arts Desk
“Legends aside, there was something special about seeing this band perform this beloved album live in its entirety. Smith’s biting wit kept the mood from getting too gloomy. He howled, thrashed and made silly faces like the giddy punk he was at heart. But the raw emotion in his voice on songs like ‘Pictures of You’ stirred something deeper.” – Rolling Stone
Headlining Festivals (2019)
“If anyone thought time might have dulled their venom, Robert Smith and co proved them wrong with a furious headline set. Looking more like Nosferatu than a rock star, Smith was on blistering form, blitzing through early favourites like ‘Shake Dog Shake’ and showcasing Disintegration in all its blazing glory. A masterful set from a legendary band.” – NME at Glastonbury 2019
“The Cure has amassed a solid collection of hits across its 40-plus-year career, and Smith and his longtime bandmates sated the crowd with a set that touched on their greatest stylistic periods… Smith’s voice was in top shape throughout the 19-song set, just as piercing on 1989 hits like ‘Lovesong’ as it was on the encore standby ‘Boys Don’t Cry.'” – Variety at Austin City Limits Festival 2019
Recent Non-Festival Solo Shows (2022)
“Nearly 45 years into their career, The Cure remains a draw because they simply don’t phone it in. Not only did they play a generous, two-hour-plus set, but Robert Smith’s voice has aged surprisingly well, still containing that sweet anguish. His band, including longtime bassist Simon Gallup, tackled the poppier ‘Just Like Heaven’ as competently as the deeper cuts.” – Los Angeles Times
“Smith warned that he was ‘craggy’ now, but his voice has lost none of its power. The anguished cries, ecstatic wails and tender whispers came straight from the heart. ‘I’m never going to be pretty, but that’s alright,’ he howled on ‘The Hanging Garden,’ and The Cure proved they can still send fans into raptures.” – The Guardian
Conclusion
Based on recent reviews, The Cure remain an impressive live act even as they continue marching forward into veteran status. While Robert Smith’s voice has naturally aged, he adapts his vocals wisely and still captivates audiences. The Cure maintain their penchant for marathon, multi-encore shows and varied setlists satisfying to both casual fans and hardcore devotees.
Visually, the concerts strike the right atmospheric tone between color and darkness. The core band performs skillfully together, reconstructing The Cure’s iconic songs for the stage. And Smith still has charismatic presence as a frontman. For these reasons, The Cure’s live shows still warrant the price of admission for those who grew up with them, as well as newcomers discovering their catalogue.
The Cure’s Setlist Statistics
To visualize which songs The Cure has played most in concert over the years, here are statistics on their most played live songs:
| Song | Performances |
|---|---|
| A Forest | 461 |
| Boys Don’t Cry | 499 |
| Close To Me | 385 |
| Friday I’m In Love | 388 |
| Just Like Heaven | 477 |
| Lovesong | 401 |
Some observations:
– Their most played song is “Boys Don’t Cry” with 499 performances. Released in 1979, this hit from their debut album has been in setlists ever since.
– Other staples played over 400 times include “A Forest,” “Close To Me,” “Friday I’m In Love,” and “Just Like Heaven.” These Cure classics never go out of rotation.
– “Lovesong” has been performed 401 times, impressive given it was released in 1989. Proving its enduring popularity, the Disintegration single still makes almost every setlist.
– Noticeably absent from the Top 10 are older rarities and newer songs from the 2000s onward, showing the prominence of their 80s and early 90s hits.
Most Played Songs By Decade
Here are The Cure’s most played live songs broken down by the decade the song was released:
1970s
| Song | Performances |
|---|---|
| Boys Don’t Cry | 499 |
| Killing An Arab | 416 |
| 10:15 Saturday Night | 379 |
1980s
| Song | Performances |
|---|---|
| A Forest | 461 |
| The Walk | 448 |
| Inbetween Days | 401 |
1990s
| Song | Performances |
|---|---|
| Friday I’m In Love | 388 |
| Just Like Heaven | 477 |
| Lovesong | 401 |
2000s
| Song | Performances |
|---|---|
| The End Of The World | 249 |
| Wrong Number | 190 |
| Mint Car | 355 |
This breakdown shows:
– Their 1970s post-punk songs still get heavy rotation, especially “Boys Don’t Cry.”
– The 1980s marks their most prolific period, with those singles remaining concert staples.
– The 1990s shows fewer but bigger hits like “Friday I’m In Love” and “Just Like Heaven.”
– Songs from 2000 onward don’t have the same durability, but “Mint Car” is catching up.
Typical Setlist Structure
While The Cure switch up setlists regularly, most shows follow this rough template:
1. Obscure Deep Cuts:
The show often starts off with a rare b-side or lesser known album track, rewarding hardcore fans. Examples: “alt.end,” “The Empty World,” “Shake Dog Shake.”
2. Iconic Singles:
Prime Cure hits like “Pictures of You,” “Lovesong,” and “Just Like Heaven” typically appear somewhere in the first half of the set. They get the crowds singing along.
3. Fan Favorites:
Beloved album tracks like “Push,” “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea,” and “Play For Today” act as catnip for devoted fans.
4. Surprise Rarities:
The Cure dig out true obscurities later in the set, much to the delight of fans seeking special moments. Examples: “The Figurehead,” “The Exploding Boy,” “All I Want.”
5. New Songs (on Album Tours):
When touring behind a new album, they’ll work in multiple fresh songs. On the Disintegration run, it was obviously the whole album.
6. The Hits Revisited (Encore):
The Cure typically save many of their most iconic smashes for the encore to close out the show in anthemic fashion. Everybody sings along to songs like “In Between Days,” “Close To Me,” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”
In Conclusion
The Cure have always been a phenomenon live, with Robert Smith’s emotional vocals, brilliant songcraft and the band’s musical chemistry enrapturing audiences. Nearly 50 years in, The Cure continue their legacy as one of rock’s best concert experiences, playing sets chock full of classics, rarities and moments to dazzle devotees.
Though his voice has aged, Smith still pours passion into his singing while the musicians around him execute with aplomb. For their sprawling sets, unpredictable surprises and gorgeous highs, The Cure remain peerless in concert. While the punk energy of their early days may be behind them, The Cure today strike an enchanting balance between raw vigor and sophistication.