If there is an artist who is more appreciative of his or her audience than Robert Smith - lead singer/songwriter/guitarist for The Cure - I don’t know who it is. Going to concerts has been a big part of my career, and seeing Robert Smith walk to each corner and across the stage, gesturing his immense gratitude to the audience, was special.
When U2 finished their last song of The Joshua Tree Tour in the Dome in New Orleans - it was obvious that Bono did not want to leave. In what appeared to be an ad lib moment - they played another song before saying goodbye. Showing appreciation for an audience is not totally unique - but there was something extraordinary about Robert Smith’s alone time with the audience at the end of their first stop on The Cure’s North American tour.
The Cure represent the “dark 80s.” Led by the distinctively made-up Robert Smith - the band exists on the threshold of several musical genres - goth, synth pop, alternative, and pop. From their inception in the late-70s - The Cure have spoken to a unique segment of the population.
Originally attracting a subculture following, today, The Cure fill large arenas with an audience made up of the subculture audience that was first to adopt their image and music - plus an audience that had come to appreciate how the band represents an important part of our past.
Last night, in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, they performed before a packed arena - though slightly short of an actual sell-out. Robert Smith nonchalantly strolled onto the stage with fellow band members in a manner that would set the tone for the evening. The set-list included songs that only true fans would know and appreciate - but they also played their “hits.”
The Cure was never a hit-making music machine. “Lovesong” was their highest charting single reaching #2 in 1989 and arguably their most recognizable single, “Just Like Heaven,” only rose as high as #40 on the charts in 1987. But Cure fans loved every note of every song. The band introduced a few new songs that fit perfectly into the set with their classics.
Robert Smith was always known for his black hair, pale made-up face with heavy guyliner and red lipstick. Many of the rockers from the past continue to dye their hair black, and I found it curious that Smith has let the gray come through.
Very few rockers from the past would look as authentic today with their hair dyed black than Robert Smith, yet he chooses to not hide from his age. The great advantage of seeing rockers from the past performing today is the comfort the audience feels by seeing their music heroes aging. The audience has aged and so have the rockers, and seeing them today gives us all permission to mature.
As one would expect, the staging and lights for the concert were simple - there was nothing that distracted from the essence of the melodious music and lyrics. The music of The Cure continues to touch the hearts of that generation coming of age when the band was popular, and Robert Smith’s lyrics make it feel like it’s okay to feel the pain of love lost. But there are plenty of songs to speak of the positive sensation of love.
The Cure has always been known for long, instrumental openings before the first lyrics are sung. The Cure performed from 8:15pm until exactly 11:00pm; but if they would have cut out the long intro to their songs - the concert would have ended about 9:15 pm.
In the last 40 minutes of the show - Robert Smith was looser and more animated. It would not be a stretch to assume that during two unusual moments when the band left the stage for a few minutes that Smith enjoyed some shots of vodka. Robert Smith loves vodka, and the Smoothie King Center featured a cocktail known as “The Cure”- consisting of Tito’s vodka - lime - and Triple Sec. No doubt a favorite of Smith.
Since this was the opening night of the North American tour - it is understandable that the band might be a bit tense - but in the last 40 minutes Robert Smith started doing subtle dance moves that had not been seen in the first part of the show. Some of his dance moves and gestures were quite animated and let the audience know that he was having fun.
After some of the less-known songs - they loaded up the hits in the end playing “Friday, I’m In Love,” “Close To Me,” and closing with “Just Like Heaven” and “Boys Don’t Cry.” There was no encore.
At the very end with band members off the stage - Robert Smith said with a very sincere tone, “Thank you - it’s great to see you again - Thank you!”
Some concerts are just concerts - last night in New Orleans - The Cure concert was an event.
