The Cure back after 27 years
BAND RETURN TO SCOTLAND AFTER 27 YEARS
Fans’ long wait to see one of the world’s most iconic bands will soon be over with the announcement that they have been lined up to play Summer Sessions concert
IT’S been nearly 30 years but The Cure will finally be singing Friday I’m in Love in Scotland after they announced a huge gig in Glasgow next year.
The iconic band, led by Robert Smith, last played Scotland in 1992.
They’ve toured since but never north of the Border. No one knows why but it’s music to fans’ ears that they’re finally going to correct that.
Yesterday, it was announced The Cure will headline Glasgow Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park on August 16 – which just happens to be a Friday.
The Cure have been at the top of DF Concerts boss Geoff Ellis’s must-get lists for many years.
He said: “We’re so excited to announce one of the biggest rock bands in the world for Glasgow Summer Sessions 2019.
“Tempting The Cure back to Scotland for a headline show will be one of the highlights in our festival’s history, as well as a personal career highlight.
“We know Scottish audiences can’t wait to see one of the most iconic bands of our generation after such a long time.”
The last time The Cure were in Scotland they played three shows, kicking off on April 23, 1992, at Dundee’s Caird Hall. They headlined the Barrowland, Glasgow, on April 24.
After touring America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, they returned to play two nights at Edinburgh’s Playhouse that November.
What happened at those gigs? Whatever put Smith off, he’s stayed away for three decades, despite playing festivals and a huge 40th anniversary show last year at Hyde Park.
Scottish band The Twilight Sad have become Smith’s go-to support act around the world since 2016. And they will be on the bill with them at the Summer Sessions gig.
Singer James Graham said: “Having toured the world with The Cure over the past few years, the one question we’re always asked when we come home is, ‘When are The Cure coming to Glasgow? Have a word with Robert, please.’
“We’re delighted that we can now share the stage with one of our favourite bands in our hometown.”
Glasgow band Mogwai will also be supporting The Cure at Bellahouston.
The group’s Stuart Braithwaite remembers skiving school to see them when they last played up here.
He said: “In 1992, I went to all four shows. If I’d known that the wait to see them play here again would be so long, I’d have been very shocked.
“I’d have been even more shocked but more so delighted that I’d be in a band opening for them 27 years later. I’m beyond excited and honoured to be part of this bill.
“The Cure are my favourite band and getting to play with them in our hometown, alongside our great friends The Twilight Sad, is something really special.”
Tickets for what is expected to be the most anticipated show of 2019 are on sale from Friday.
Unbelievably, it will be the first time The Cure have headlined a major Scottish festival.
The group, whose hits include Boys Don’t Cry, Just Like Heaven and A Forest, formed in Crawley, Sussex in 1976 and released their debut album Three Imaginary Boys in 1979.
Firstly a new wave band, their darker 80s output grew their goths fanbase. But the band also had a poppy side and released bright singles like The Lovecats, The Caterpillar and Why Can’t I Be You.
The 90s saw them find a harder edge with tunes like Never Enough but they still managed a lighter side with 1992’s Friday I’m in Love. As they enter their fifth decade, The Cure have performed more than 1500 gigs, made 13 studio albums and released more than 40 singles. And they are working on new material.
Smith has been the only constant in the line-up, which now comprises Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums), Roger O’Donnell (keyboard) and Ree ves Gabrels (guitar).
It was one of
Scotland’s greatest singers who inspired a young Smith.
He was a massive fan of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and followed the group on tour.
Smith said: “Alex Harvey was the physical manifestation of what I thought I could be. I was 14 when I first went to see him and then I followed him around to all the shows.
“He never really got anywhere, even though he had something so magical when he performed.
“He had the persona of a victim and you just sided with him against all that was going wrong. I would have loved to have had Alex Harvey as an uncle.”
Later, Smith became close friends with another great Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie, of The Associates. In 2001, he wrote Cut Me in tribute to Billy, who committed suicide in 1997.
Smith’s birds nest hair and red lipstick is one of the iconic looks of the 80s, copied by wannabes around the world.
He said: “I started wearing lipstick because it made me feel confident and more attractive. I’m completely featureless without it. On stage, I always used to lean my mouth on the mike and shut my eyes so I wouldn’t have to see the people.
“And at the end, I’d come off with lipstick smeared all over my face, so I thought I might as well go on with it like that and make it look intentional.”
There will be many old goths dusting down their black clothes, bemoaning their lack of hair and sneaking a bit of their other half ’s lippy for next August’s gig.
And a whole generation who missed The Cure’s 80s imperial phase will finally get a chance to see them.
Fan Chay Woodman went to see them at the Barras in 1992 and has been desperate to see them ever since.
He said: “We queued for three hours to get tickets to see them at the Barras.
“Their return to the winds of Glesga is much-needed. Dig out your black clothes, kids – it’s gonna’ be a party!”
Tickets for The Cure’s August 16, 2019 Summer Sessions show go on sale this Friday from 9am at smmrsessions.com
Scots can’t wait to see them after such a long time GEOFF ELLIS ON THE CURE’S GLASGOW GIG