The Cure are embarking on a world tour in 2023, with a stop at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on October 21st. As one of the most iconic post-punk bands of all time, The Cure always attract huge crowds and die-hard fans when they tour. Naturally, fans want to know everything about the show, including who the opening acts will be. Support acts provide the perfect prelude to the main event, setting the mood and energizing the crowd. So who will have the prestigious honor of opening for The Cure in Detroit?
The Twilight Sad
One of the opening acts providing direct support throughout the tour is Scottish rock band The Twilight Sad. They have been selected personally by Robert Smith to join The Cure on all the North American dates. The Twilight Sad first emerged in the mid-2000s, crafting emotional and deeply atmospheric music that complements The Cure’s gloomy style well. They slowly built a cult following with each release, reaching more mainstream success with their 2014 album Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave.
Describing being asked to support The Cure, lead singer James Graham said: ““It’s an honour to be asked to support The Cure on their North American tour. We’ve played with them previously in the UK and Europe, and they’ve always looked after us so well. We’re really excited for the privilege to share a stage with a band we love so much all across North America.”
For fans wanting a taste of The Twilight Sad’s sound before the Detroit show, some songs to check out include:
The Twilight Sad Songs to Preview
| Song | Album | Description |
|---|---|---|
| I Became a Prostitute | Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters | Atmospheric track with layered guitars |
| That Summer, At Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy | Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave | Epic, melancholic number |
| Keep Yourself Warm | Forget The Night Ahead | Soaring and emotional |
The Twilight Sad will provide the perfect moody opening to ready fans for The Cure’s headlining set.
Pornography
In a very special treat for fans, The Cure will be performing their 1982 album Pornography in its entirety for the first half of each show. This means the entirety of the bleak and intense album will be played live in Detroit. Robert Smith has chosen four different opening bands across the tour to perform Pornography so The Cure can take a break before their varied greatest hits set in the second half.
In Detroit, British post-punk group Pornography have been selected to play the album. While formed much later than The Cure in 2004, the young band take major inspiration from the likes of Joy Division, The Cure, and Bauhaus. Their name even comes directly from The Cure’s seminal 1982 album they will perform. Expect a youthful and impassioned take on Pornography’s dense gothic sound from the band when they take the stage.
Pornography Band Members
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Jacob Nixon | Lead vocals |
| Sam Garraway | Guitar |
| Harry Cullen | Bass |
| Felix Pearson | Drums |
This support slot is arguably the biggest opportunity of Pornography’s career so far. They will surely make the most of the chance to showcase their talent to thousands of Cure fans.
Throwing Muses
The third and final support act joining The Cure in Detroit will be American alt-rock band Throwing Muses. Fronted by the iconic Kristin Hersh, Throwing Muses first started making waves on the college rock scene in the mid-1980s. They became known for making gritty guitar rock while incorporating more melodic pop elements.
After going on hiatus in 1997, the band reformed in the early 2000s and have been playing live shows periodically ever since. Veterans of the alternative scene, Throwing Muses have a treasure trove of great songs to choose from to craft a strong opening set. Some highlights fans may hear include “Bright Yellow Gun”, “Counting Backwards”, and “Not Too Soon”.
It will be a trip down memory lane for long-time followers and a chance for younger fans to discover one of the most influential cult bands of the 80s/90s. Throwing Muses’ inclusion on the Detroit show provides some diversity to the line-up with their energetic indie rock style that contrasts with the moody post-punk of The Twilight Sad and Pornography.
Set Times
Doors at Little Caesars Arena will open at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 21st, 2023. Here are the approximate set times for each act:
| Artist | Set Time |
|---|---|
| Throwing Muses | 7:15pm – 7:45pm |
| Pornography performing The Cure’s Pornography album | 8:00pm – 8:45pm |
| The Twilight Sad | 9:00pm – 9:45pm |
| The Cure | 10:00pm – midnight |
Times are approximate and subject to change, but this gives an indication of how the night will be structured. Fans would be well advised to arrive early to catch all the great opening bands before The Cure take us on an emotional journey through their incredible decades-spanning catalog.
How the Opening Acts Complement The Cure
These specially chosen openers for The Cure in Detroit really provide the full spectrum of the headliners’ various influences. By including young upstarts like Pornography, they showcase the early 80s post-punk bands that laid the foundation for The Cure’s signature gothic style. The inclusion of contemporaries like Throwing Muses represents their 80s/90s alt-rock peers who shared stages with them back in the day. And bringing atmospheric modern acolytes like The Twilight Sad proves their sound still inspires young bands today.
Robert Smith has curated an opening line-up that pays tribute to The Cure’s legacy and gives fans a taste of each era. Attendees will get the complete live Cure experience in one incredible night. From their raw early years, through their commercial peak, to today’s ongoing influence, it’s all there.
Conclusion
Detroit is in for an unforgettable concert experience when The Cure come to town in October 2023. The specially selected trio of opening acts will perfectly complement Robert Smith and co. Throwing Muses, Pornography, and The Twilight Sad collectively represent all the eras and styles that have made The Cure one of the most revered and iconic alternative bands in history. Each act will energize the crowd and get them hyped to sing along with old favorites and new tracks when the main event takes the stage. It’s a once in a lifetime line-up for any Cure fan.
