Written and Photographed By Eric Sperrazza
Dark grey clouds rolled into Philadelphia this past Saturday…almost as if on cue. And yet hundreds of fans walking into the Wells Fargo Center could not have been happier about the melancholy backdrop; fitting for the show they were about to behold. After a Spring of reading about Robert Smith’s victory over Ticketmaster, The Cure had arrived in the “City of Brotherly Love.”
The Cure emerged in the late 1970s and became one of the most influential and enduring acts in alternative music. Known for their distinctive blend of post-punk, new wave, and gothic rock, The Cure quickly gained mass appeal with their atmospheric soundscapes, introspective lyrics, and Robert Smith’s haunting vocals. Their music resonated with a diverse fan base, appealing to both mainstream listeners and those drawn to their darker themes. Moreover, they gave song and sound to a full spectrum of emotions, making listeners of their work feel like no sound had before. Their live performances became legendary for their ambient energy and lead singer, Robert Smith’s, iconic gothic appearance – teased hair, smeared lipstick, and black regalia.
Beyond their musical achievements, The Cure’s influence extends to subsequent generations of bands and artists who were inspired by their melancholic sound, introspective lyrics, and unique style. Their impact on alternative and gothic music is profound, and their music continues to resonate with listeners worldwide. They have even developed a following of young fans through TikTok, being the voice of newfound emotions to a whole new audience. That diverse group of enthusiasts, in lockstep with new young fans, sold out and packed into The Fargo for the chance to experience The Cure’s dark dream of love and loss, live and in living color.
Well, not in too much color, anyway.
It was almost seven years to the day since the last time Robert Smith’s woeful circus of sounds had graced Philadelphia. Almost immediately walking into the arena it was evident that they were well-missed. Every merchandise table had a line 2 city blocks long around the halls. Each bar had Cure-themed Selfie backdrops for fans to make memories and even the lines for those were out of the proverbial doors. Clearly, this visit was wildly overdue! The walkways were packed with a cornucopia of characters from Goths in full leather and makeup to Golf Dads and their kids.
I was one of those dads whose 13-year-old Junior High School daughter discovered The Cure through social media and was now chomping at the bit to catch a glimpse of Robert Smith and bathe underneath the faucet of his music, live and in the company of hundreds of like-minded spectators. The Cure opened with “Alone” and without hesitation went right into the dark dreamscape of their hit, “Pictures of You.” As they pressed forward through their first set, it was evident that all were welcome regardless of how deep down the rabbit hole of their discography they dove. From the heartbreaking single “Lovesong,” The Crow Soundtrack’s “Burn” and the nightmare walk of “A Forest” to deep cuts like “Charlotte Sometimes” and “Kyoto Song,” the band did very little in the way of talking and heavily into giving everyone their money’s worth of music.
In fact, with 2 encore sets, The Cure performed for over 2 hours, going through almost 30 songs for those in attendance. The 2nd encore was full-on fan service with “Lullaby,” “Friday I’m in Love,” “In Between Days,” “Just Like Heaven” and “Boys Don’t Cry” to close the show. I have been to shows where a thirty-song set was simply too heavy of a lift. I’d find myself checking my watch and looking for the door. But The Cure performed in 5th gear, without missing a note, and the night flew by. Too fast, in fact. The night was planned to weave the attendees through a journey that never let the moment get stale.
For as much as the band gave to the arena of ticketholders, they in turn enjoyed every waking second. As far as the eye could see were kids, Gen-X’ers & Baby Boomer fans, singing, dancing, spinning, and sobbing with joy. Even my teen daughter found herself swept up in the euphoria of the show and swayed and danced with the people around us, a tear in her eye and a permanent smile on her face. Other musicians should take note. Robert Smith, even after a 45-year career, made sure the ticket prices were fair, the merchandise prices were reasonable, and ensured that everyone walked away with the exact experience from the same level of effort they would have received at the beginning of his career. Sans a few more smiles by Smith this time around, of course.
Follow The Cure and their up-and-coming stops on the Shows of a Lost World tour.
