Concert Review: The Cure

Date: May 14, 2016
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

When someone mentions “The Cure” your mind may automatically picture a pale, made up, big-haired guy named Robert Smith who sings depressing lyrics. However, this is just the surface. Beneath the hair, makeup, and melancholy lyrics, lurk iconic lines and melodies provided by a unique and unmistakable voice. There is no doubt that The Cure has made an impression on the music industry throughout the decades, influencing people of all generations.

What has always drawn me to The Cure (as most other bands) were the lyrics. Some were so relative, while others were quirky and didn’t make sense. In addition to that, the actual music (guitar, synthetic beats, piano, etc.) paired so perfectly with the words, that it was hard to not be a fan! Being a teenager in the early 2000’s, The Cure was a band not many people in my neck of the woods had heard of or listened to. I felt like The Cure was a little piece of gold in my mine of music.

“Remembering you, standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near.”

It had been raining most of the day in Houston, which seemed appropriate and even welcoming.The last time The Cure was in the city was in 2008, also at the Toyota Center. Despite their absence, they returned with as much energy as a band who just stepped onto the scene. You have to understand, Smith is 57 years old and has been in the music industry for 30+ years! Maybe he’s thoroughly conditioned, but he is still able to command an audience with his musical talent.

The audience itself contained a variety of people. A range of ages and races alike joined in on the inevitable thing that brings society together: music. Though The Cure’s music is older than I am (24), many people my age, or even younger, can still appreciate and respect the band’s influence on music and culture alike.

“Show me, show me, show me, how you do that trick!”

The setlist was balanced, as far as distribution of well known hits and rarities go. They played many of their singles in the first half of the set, then lesser known tracks the rest of the show up until their first encore. Yeah – you read that right – their first encore, meaning there were more. I have never been to a concert where they have more than one encore. The Cure, however, had a total of four, equaling out to 34 songs. It’s safe to say everyone got their money’s worth.

Favorite Performance: “Burn” from The Crow soundtrack. (If you haven’t watched that movie, do it. Amazing soundtrack.)

Me Being A Creeper: Noticed a young couple dancing to “The Lovecats”. I thought it was sweet.

Outfit: Short, black dress with mesh sleeves, black wedges, a top-notch cat eye and dark lipstick. Travis noted that I definitely looked like I was going to a The Cure concert. I take that as a compliment.

Overall Impression: Though the show was long (I’m an old woman at heart), I thoroughly enjoyed The Cure’s performance. Despite having a seat, I spent the majority of the show on my feet dancing my way through the songs that comprise most of my 80’s playlist, making it easy for me to experience my wishful past-life of being a young adult in the 80’s. The enthusiasm and positive vibes were contagious, as a greater part of the audience was also dancing and singing along, creating a night no one could ever forget.

Setlist:
Open
High
A Night Like This
Lovesong
Pictures of You
Lullaby
A Strange Day
Push
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
The Last Day of Summer
At Night
M
Play for Today
Want
Shake Dog Shake
The Hungry Ghost
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
One Hundred Years
End

ENCORE 1
Burn
It Can Never Be the Same

ENCORE 2
Step Into the Light
Fascination Street
Never Enough
Wrong Number

ENCORE 3
The Lovecats
Close to Me
The Caterpillar
The Walk
Let’s Go to Bed
Why Can’t I Be You?

ENCORE 4
A Forest
Boys Don’t Cry