ABC Dig Music

Here's Cassiie's report:

"The morning tickets went on sale I'm sure work ceased in at least 50% of Sydney workplaces, with fingers poised on mice ready to part with a chunk of card credit for a chance to witness something very special.

After successfully scoring tickets for the second of the two shows, I thought I'd wander down to the venue on the night of the first gig to pick up the precious pieces of paper. Suddenly the sound of sirens from a motorcycle escort heralded the arrival of a tinted-window limo containing Mr Smith and chums. I half expected an entourage of of crows and ravens to follow, but sadly they failed to show.

As to the gig itself the following night...I don't think Sydney has seen so many top hats, corsets and ruffled shirts since the 1800s. We took to our seats, Robert Smith took to the stage, the crowd roared, and they didn't stop roaring for the next 4 hours.

a three piece version of the band kicked off by playing 'Three imaginary Boys'. It was interesting to see the band demonstarting their early Punk roots. Although Robert was looking slightly more portly than he did when the album first appearaed (who isn't?) it was nothing a lovely black tunic couldn't disguise. Goth fashion at it's finest.

After a brief break, the album 'Seventeen Seconds' was upon us. The band had added a member and had wheeled out a synthesiser too. There were now 4 members out on stage, and the introduction of the synthesizer. A small slip of paper was passed around the audience telling us it was in fact Simon the bass player's birthday..and the band marked the occasion with a suitably moody version of 'Happy Birthday' which managed to be both beautiful and hilarious at the same time.

After another break it was time for 'Faith' and a sound more instantly recognizable as The Cure, all grand sweeping synths and dark brooding lyrics. The stage lighting - which had been spectacular throughout - was kicked up a gear and truly beautiful. Robert Smith's voice seems to be impervious to age, sounding no different to how it sounded on the original records.

After encores aplenty, the band topped off the marathon four hour set with 'Love Cats', leaving the crowd grinning like so many Cheshire versions of the feline fraternity".

Set list, Wednesday June 1:
 
Three Imaginary Boys

"10:15 Saturday Night"
"Accuracy"
"Grinding Halt"
"Another Day"
"Object"
"Subway Song"
"Foxy Lady"
"Meat Hook"
"So What"
"Fire In Cairo"
"It's Not You"
"Three Imaginary Boys"

Seventeen Seconds

"A Reflection"
"Play For Today"
"Secrets"
"In Your House"
"Forever"
"The Final Sound"
"A Forest"
"M"
"At Night"
"Seventeen Seconds"

Faith

"The Holy Hour"
"Primary"
"Other Voices"
"All Cats Are Grey"
"The Funeral Party"
"Doubt"
"The Drowning Man"
"Faith"

Encores

"World War"
"I'm Cold"
"Plastic Passion"
"Boys Don't Cry"
"Killing An Arab"
"Jumping Someone Else's Train"
"Another Journey By Train"
"Descent"
"Splintered In Her Head"
"Charlotte Sometimes"
"The Hanging Garden"
"Let's Go To Bed"
"The Walk"
"Lovecats"

More about: 

• The Cure

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