The Cure - Wembley Arena - March 20th 2008
Support: 65daysofstatic


The Cure are back for their only tour date in the UK for 2008 in the capital, London. Looking around Wembley Arena it is obviously apparent that the band are still as popular as they were when they first formed way back in 1976. And The Cure sure know how to entertain, managing to play for roughly 3 hours 15 minutes, incorporating many hits taken from the bands 12 studio albums as well as new material.

Over the years The Cure's lineup has changed frequently with only main songwriter Robert Smith being the constant member. Smith has been a key part of the band, both the music and the image, with his wild hair, pale complexion and smudged lipstick complimenting the somewhat gloomy and intriguing lyrics. As of today The Cure have been described as 'one of the most popular alternative rock bands in the world' and the concert tonight totally supports this view.

Opening The Cure's mammoth gig tonight are Sheffield based instrumental post-rock band 65daysofstatic who, in comparison to The Cure's experience and age, are infants. Forming in 2001 the band have had 3 albums to date and commented upon how they have never played a venue as big as Wembley. However, the sheer size of the venue does not phase them, it seems to excel them, allowing to let them play a gig that's mesmerising. The absence of lyrics may deter some people who enjoy the connection of singing along at the top of your lungs to a song. However the guitar-driven songs allow you to focus on what's important - the music. Most of the songs have a heavy element to them, a mixture of guitar and strong drum beats, although 'Radio Protector' is more like a magical fairytale, with it's tinkering keyboard and somewhat soothing sound.

By the time The Cure grace the stage everyone is ready; many dedicated fans have been waiting around 6 months for this appearance and the crowd is brimming with anticipation with many people reminiscing of the times when they saw them play before, probably in excess of 20 years ago. The stage is dressed in twinkling lights as the band being to play, opening the concert with 'Plainsong'. After this initial song, the music keeps flowing and flowing and flowing. The opening of 'Pictures Of You' gains a loud cheer from the crowd, ditto myself, as up until now the band has been playing the less 'well known' songs which some people may not be as familiar with as those that are featured on The Greatest Hits album.

Then comes the distinctive opening of 'Lullaby', another loud cheer erupts from the crowd. This song has always been a firm favourite among fans with it's eerie sound and with 'the spiderman having me for dinner tonight' it epitomises the alternative genre of the bands music. Throughout the song the spider is never far away, he is gracing the large screen to remind you all that his arms are around you and his tongue in your eyes... You begin to imagine things, was that something crawling on your skin?
Throughout the performance the band make numerous encores that leave you thinking 'is it over'? But then they grace the stage again, ready to play even more songs - you only have to admire their spirit and enthusiasm as it never falters throughout the 3 hours.

Another firm favourite among everyone within the arena is 'The Forest' which again, may be popular due to it's peculiar atmosphere it manages to create. The flashing lights manage to conjure the experience of being lost and disorientated in a forest. Yet the ending of the song is something to be heard live, the prolonged bass intertwines its way throughout the song until the climatic end where the bass is left all alone - but not for long as everyone claps along. The 'clap clap' seems to last an eternity.

At around 11pm the gig comes to an end with the song 'Killing An Arab' signaling the closure of a concert that certainly gives The Cure the honorary title of legendary. If they've managed this long and still draw in fans of all ages then they deserve to keep going for years to come.

My only negativity is the fact that the concert became tedious towards the end. You began asking yourself 'haven't I heard this song already?' as the songs seemed to merge into one, you never could comprehend when one would begin and one would end. Many people left early, possibly to catch trains or catch up on sleep (not very rock n roll!) but for their only concert in the UK the sheer length of the concert should have been expected and seemed to be appreciated by all.


Review by Stacy Reeve


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