Review: The Cure

Once the sun went down, the stars and the full moon weren't the only thing illuminating the theater by the zoo. Photos by Timothy Finn/The Star

This wasn't quite the best show of the year (it was close), but it was the best show in a long time that almost didn't happen. Two years to the month after the Depeche Mode debacle, the Cure came to Starlight, and it seemed pretty evident right off the bat that lead singer Robert Smith wasn't feeling well. And whatever was ailing him was affecting his voice.

In a low register, he talked/sang through the first couple of songs. After "Pictures of You," he wisecracked something like:  "Welcome to Serge Gainsbourg sings the Cure." He wasn't about to call it a night, however. Between the next several songs ("A Night Like This," "The Walk," "The End of the World")  he would drink beverages from two or three cups and gargle from another. Whatever he applied to his throat, it helped.

A fuzzy picture of them: Robert Smith and Porl Thompson.

For the next two hours and 40 minutes or so, Smith and his band (minus anyone on keyboards) bounced, romped and roared through a catalog that is nearly 30 years old. Smith sounded shaky on a few songs, OK on most and great on a few others. He also joked about how most of the appreciative crowd must be seeing the band for the first time -- as in: You don't realize how bad I sound.

The place was about 85 percent full (it hold about 7,800), and most of the crowd was appreciative all night; by  show's end, fans in various parts of the theater were expressing fits of euphoria.

The setlist comprised nearly 30 songs and was loaded with hits and favorite album cuts: "Lovesong," "Hot Hot Hot," "From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea," then "Push," "Friday I'm In Love," "In Between Days," "Just Like Heaven" (played back-to-back-to-back-to-back), "Never Enough," "Wrong Number" "One Hundred Years," "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep," "Boys Don't Cry," "Jumping Someone Else's Train," "10:15 Saturday Night."

They also played material off the upcoming album, including "The Only One," the first "single," a jaunty, shambly pop tune with a dance beat.

I was one of those seeing the Cure for the first time, so the evening was a night of revelations, including just how many other bands and artists the Cure/Smith have influenced; and how severely hard they can rock when they want to. (Sure did miss the keyboards, though.) The sound system was deceptively loud, it seemed, which made some of their harder, more metallic moments sound even more sinister. I retreated to the back about 12 songs in, which is when I realized my ears were beginning to ring softly. (It also made it hard to catch lyrics to the songs I didn't know).

After darkness settled in, the light show behind the band improved. Otherwise not much action came from on the stage, especially with Smith having to save his voice for the songs.

At one point he would apologize/confess, hoarsely: "I feel worse than you do." That's a guarantee.

Comments

[KcMoe]

Great show, even with a sick robert. The music sounded better than any time I had seen them. One question... what is with KC crowds? Three seconds of applause after songs?

[lyn]

I agree - these guys are amazing and I felt bad for them that the crowd was so BLAH! I was happy with the variety of songs they performed - just a few from the new cd coming out ... lots of good old stuff (the kiss, push, if only tonight we could sleep) missed hearing disintegration.

[lyn]

I agree - these guys are amazing and I felt bad for them that the crowd was so BLAH! I was happy with the variety of songs they performed - just a few from the new cd coming out ... lots of good old stuff (the kiss, push, if only tonight we could sleep) missed hearing disintegration.

[kcneon]

It was my first time seeing the band live, too. Even at less than 100% Robert gave it everything he had.

Think he said something about the doctor warning him, but he didn't want to cancel and that next time his voice would be "sweeter". The concert was a dream come true & a mecca for us Gen-Xers. :-)

I didn't have a single complaint about their setlist - in fact I was over the moon that they played "Wrong Number"! Wasn't expecting that one. And Tim was right that they really rocked it out of the park.

The bass added more funk than I was expecting. And being able to watch Robert Smith play the guitar live was a treat.

[Bill CK]

It was great! Being close to the stage (5th row Simon's side) you could hear Smith's voice and he was struggling bad. I have seen them before and I didn't miss the keyboards. Porl tore through the songs wonderfully. Jason and Simon were also amazing. The music more than made up for Roberts voice being less than 60%. He seemed to be having a great time even though at times, it looked painful for him to sing. The crowd around me was fantastic. Everyone dancing around singing along and just enjoying The Cure in Kansas City. If memory serves me right, they haven't been to Kansas City since the early 80's.
Another amazing thing is that, I have never seen Smith do a song away from the mic stand and without a guitar. That was awesome.
The updated version of "Killing An Arab" was fantastic. He chagned the word "Arab" to something else a few years ago. Didn't take away from the song at all.
I was also worried about the show being cut very short. I was at the Depeche Mode show and was very disappointed.
Smith said that its about the fans and the music. I hope they come back in the future and make the show "sweet" Smith's word. Not that this one wasn't.

[TK]

Well, I will applaud Robert Smith for his showmanship, but it was a bit disappointing we got a slightly abbreviated set due to his ailment.

One can't be upset, though, that's the way it goes sometimes with live shows, and I was thrilled to finally get to see the band and hear them live for the first time. The band sounded great, nothwithstanding Robert's obvious problem. It must've been a hard decision whether to go on or simply postpone...

[Gary Oldman]

My highlight of the show: I finally figured out what happens to aging goths - they become hipsters.

Should have changed all the beer taps over to PBR.

[drew]

85% full? Really Tim? The very back corners were not sold before the show, but when The Cure started every seat looked taken. There was certainly not anything like 1,000 empty seats. And the crowd sounded good to me, at least after the sun went down. Enthusiasm is always weaker when the sun is out.

Musically they sounded much stronger and tighter than they did 15 or 20 years ago. They can really rock without the keyboards. Great effort from a sick Robert.

[charlie]

It was great to see the iconic band. However, I was disappointed because I didn't think he sang with the passion I expected. I'm glad he explained his illness and that could be why the fervor wasn't there for me.

[Will]

Great show, fantastic playlist (though I missed Disintegration as well). Seen them 4 times now, and though this was the weakest lyrically, it was by far the best playlist. There were swaths of empty seats on the side, so I think 85% full is on the high side. It was hard to see them with everyone standing, at one point I was the only person in my row (though I'm sure quite a few people went up front).

[JumpinJack19]

Second time for me. Saw the 1992 "Wish" St. Louis show and that's a Top Ten out of my almost 200 shows. That tour featured a five member on state; keyboard/guitarist that added some to the guitar-heavy Wish tunes. Robert had to be frustrated but he "carried on" and those of us at the abbreviated DM show really appreciate that. Let's hope The Cure makes KC a regular stop in the future.
Good photos Tim. Do you get paid double for that?

[Evans]

It was an AWESOME show, my first time seeing The Cure and was not disappointed. I would also like to thank Live Nation for comping us and replacing our Depeche Mode tickets for this concert. Two years later and they gave us free 5th row tickets. It was a fantastic night all around!!!

[Rosie C]

Best show I've seen since moving from England to KC. Brilliant music (even with Smith's voice problems). Loved the venue. You've got to give these guys respect - the setlist was mighty impressive - classic after classic. Got to agree with KcMoe's post, though. What is it with crowds at KC shows (not just this concert either)? You see more life in a plank of wood!

[kcneon]

Rosie C - yeah, the crowds here are verrry different. Just the way it is.

I envy the UK concert-goers - luv the clips of The Libertines & Babyshambles with the crowd drowning out Pete and Carl. How fun!

[H]

Great show. 2nd time seeing them. Saw the Wish tour in '92. Liked the heavier groove this time around. Porl's chops have changed since playing with Plant and Page. Highlights were The Kiss and Killing An Arab.

[John]

Sound was horrid, all bass and kick drum.

[melonious]

Lots of bass, too much really. So sad Roberts voice was missing. Hopefully they come back another day when Robert feels better because it was not what I was hoping.

[Heather]

My first time seeing them as well, and I honestly went in without expectations and just enjoyed the whole experience. I did find myself wondering why he wasn't singing some of the higher notes, but didn't realize he wasn't feeling well until right around the first encore. I really wanted to hear "High" or "Mint Car," but by the end of the night understood why that didn't happen.

However, with all of his sincere apologies, I couldn't help but leave the show feeling like he needed a hug!

[Tim Finn]

He handled it all very well. He did feel bad about it, but I could tell during "Pictures of You" he wasn't feeling right. He never really brought home the chorus.
The sound for me got better when I moved from up close to back in the terrace area. As for the crowd: I think Cure fans are a disparate lot. Everyone has favorite songs besides the hits. The place only really blew up once, during that early run from "Friday" through "Heaven."

[Jeff]

During the first few songs I distinctly noticed something was not right with the vocals, however, his voice did actually improve as the show wore on. I was at the White Stripes concert at Starlight a few years ago, and the sound quality this time around was definitely superior/louder. The bass on "Plainsong" was spine rattling. I was in the second row, and the crowd response was a bit lukewarm at first, but was pretty giddy by the first encore.

[scott]

Here are some photos I took at the show--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottspy/sets/72157605152817610/

[Erin]

I thought it was AMAZING! I felt for Robert but the band backed him up and I couldn't have asked for a better show, one of my all time top 3!

Only song I wanted to hear that I didn't was Love Cats, but I wasn't really expecting that one.

Love, love, LOVE The Cure!

[The Shawnster]

I just discovered this blog (Where have I been?)...As a long time Cure fan, I though the show was great despite Robert's voice problems. KC was lucky to get this show and Starlight was the perfect venue for it. There are maybe a dozen or so acts that can be truly considered "iconic" and the Cure is definitely one those. It was a perfect night and the Cure did not disapoint. You had to be there and I'm glad I was.

[groovic]

WHAT I THINK IS AMAZING, IS THAT SO MANY THOUGHT IT WAS AMAZING!!
Been a Cure fan for 25 years, saw them in 87' & 89' & have been waiting 19 years to see them again. Robert's VOICE, his high notes & squeals are the best part of the Cure. So for me, this show was very disappointing. Yes they played great songs but it was disapointing that they sounded like shit. I go to shows for the quality of the music & then to hear Robert Smith sing these songs in such a monotone way & miss the high notes just saddened me. I feel bad for him that he has a sore throat, but if the doctor advises against doing the show & you can't give us the same quality of show you would give us if you were well, then I would much prefer you cancel the show & reschedule. I really feel they owe it to Kansas City to come back & do another show at the end of the tour & do it right; when Robert's voice has recovered. And I don't even live there, but I would drive back down for it.
Then, at the end of the show to hear my friends, some musicians say "wasn't that a great show?" I'm sorry but I just lost some respect for their music abilities if they think it's allright to go on stage when your sick & sound like shit & give people a less than quality show that they paid good money for & drove hours to. What the hell is wrong with everyone? To not expect a quality show is amazing to me! And to be okay with a show where the lead singer can't even sing just baffles me???? We all deserve MORE from musicians.

[Tom Petty]

The singin' sounded good ... I liked the singing'.

[Jeff]

To: groovic

Huh???? I'm sorry, but you have me mystified. You must have been at a different show.

[Lucas]

TF, thanks for your thoughts on the influence of the Cure on everything after them. I know they get wrapped up in the eye-liner, fishnet stocking, all black, clove cigarette crowd all too often, but I've never hated my parents enough to wear black all summer and I think they are seriously overlooked by fans of all genres. I got to see them at Coachella in '04 and they blew me away. So getting to see them at home, especially in the midwest I wasn't expecting anything great. But, sorethroats aside, these boys put on a worthy show, considering that most rockers of their caliber are going to play for 1 hr and do 2 encores and go home, I feel like they did their best to give us our money's worth. sorry shawnster that you had such a miserable time, you better go listen to your Cure record in your locked bedroom and finish that skin carving on your wrist. Just remember your comments the next time you go to work sick.