I'm so glad you came
I'm so glad you remembered
To see how we're ending our last dance together
Expectant too punctual but
Prettier than ever
I really believed that this time it's forever
…And so it was The Cure and me back at the Opera House for another nostalgia show. Tonight a play though of the classic 1989 album, Disintegration.
But first an introductory set of b-sides and demos taken from the era. These songs are fine and with more exposure some (2 Late, Fear of Ghosts) could have been Cure classics. Unfamiliarity and a general lack of energy however, make it all a little dull. Delaying rather than building anticipation for the main album set.
After a short break the band return to a massive cheer and the opening sounds of Plainsong. The long sweeping intro provides both the moment of anticipation and the release as Robert Smith does a lap of the stage, engaging fans in all corners of the room.
There is no lack of familiarity here. Disintegration has sold close to three million copies and most of the albums tracks have been permanent fixtures in the bands live set in release 30 years ago. Every person knows every word, every guitar strum, every synth line, every circular drum fill. The songs are dark, romantic, practiced and perfectly executed. The intertwined guitars of Pictures of You, the slow burn of Closedown, the sugar hit of Lovesong all perfect.
There is not a lot of movement on the stage, moody projections cover large video screens the only real action coming from Simon Gallop, base hung low he runs from band mate to band mate. There is a touch of light and laughter comes when Robert Smith busts out the dance moves during Lullaby.
The baseline of Fascination Street surges over guitar noise before an absolutely massive version of Prayers for Rain fills the room. The neo metal of Disintegration provides the last lively moments of the main set. We are not finished with the doom and gloom tho, Homesick and Unititled keep things moody.
The end. 30 years on Disintegration has been played in its entirety. Many find this album depressing. Listening to Disintegration leaves them down, defeated, emotionally exhausted. That is not what I experience and not at all tonight. I find the size and romanticism and familiarity of these songs comforting, joyous even. Seeing them played all together live has dialled those feelings up some 1000%.
The band return to finish the show with three songs a little further removed from the 1989 Disintegration era. First Burn from The Crow soundtrack. A banger in any circumstance Burn has an urgency that is not found in much of Disintegration making it stand out as a highlight tonight.
The group’s debut album turns forty this year, they play the title track Three Imaginary Boys. Before finishing with a sea shanty Pirate Ships.
Kyle knows