The Cult, London, Brixton Academy
The Cult (Tuesday August 28, 2001 4:47 PM )
Gig played on 27/08/2001 Venue: Brixton Academy (London)
After an absence of almost seven years, The Cult are back on the circuit and back on the festival trail with new material that harks back to their glory days. What better place then to proclaim their continued relevance than the cavernous temple of sound that is Brixton Academy?
Taking to the stage they launch into current single 'Rise'. Hopping around the stage in the baking venue, Ian Astbury looks like he never went away. He also looks like he's been drinking from the font of eternal youth. 'Rise' is a fitting song with which to make their return, the sound of a band who have rediscovered their magic. In many ways, it's vintage Cult.
Not entirely practically dressed in a long grey coat and fur-lined hat, Astbury and that remarkable voice he possesses work through old and new songs alike. With a seemingly endless supply of tambourines to chuck into the audience, he's having fun back in front of a British audience, disparaging comments about the Reading Festival aside.
'In The Clouds', 'Lil Devil' and 'Rain' are infused with a new vitality as if the break has breathed new life into the live performance. Where once they sounded a little bloated, loose and self-indulgent, the new look Cult 2001 are a tighter, cleaner sounding beast.
'My Bridges Burn', 'Breathe' and 'Take The Power' are reason enough to shake off the criticism that the band has attracted since their last shows in the UK. But 'She Sells Sanctuary' lets the side down and Billy Duffy seems to have just a little too much fun improvising.
Thankfully, the band recovers superbly to finish with the searing 'War (The Process)', the fantastic 'Nirvana' and a brilliantly climactic 'Love Removal Machine'.
Mission accomplished: there can be little doubt that The Cult are a band that sounds as good if not better than they did in their most successful period.
by Luci Jameson
Gig played on 27/08/2001 Venue: Brixton Academy (London)
After an absence of almost seven years, The Cult are back on the circuit and back on the festival trail with new material that harks back to their glory days. What better place then to proclaim their continued relevance than the cavernous temple of sound that is Brixton Academy?
Taking to the stage they launch into current single 'Rise'. Hopping around the stage in the baking venue, Ian Astbury looks like he never went away. He also looks like he's been drinking from the font of eternal youth. 'Rise' is a fitting song with which to make their return, the sound of a band who have rediscovered their magic. In many ways, it's vintage Cult.
Not entirely practically dressed in a long grey coat and fur-lined hat, Astbury and that remarkable voice he possesses work through old and new songs alike. With a seemingly endless supply of tambourines to chuck into the audience, he's having fun back in front of a British audience, disparaging comments about the Reading Festival aside.
'In The Clouds', 'Lil Devil' and 'Rain' are infused with a new vitality as if the break has breathed new life into the live performance. Where once they sounded a little bloated, loose and self-indulgent, the new look Cult 2001 are a tighter, cleaner sounding beast.
'My Bridges Burn', 'Breathe' and 'Take The Power' are reason enough to shake off the criticism that the band has attracted since their last shows in the UK. But 'She Sells Sanctuary' lets the side down and Billy Duffy seems to have just a little too much fun improvising.
Thankfully, the band recovers superbly to finish with the searing 'War (The Process)', the fantastic 'Nirvana' and a brilliantly climactic 'Love Removal Machine'.
Mission accomplished: there can be little doubt that The Cult are a band that sounds as good if not better than they did in their most successful period.
by Luci Jameson
posted by Luci @ 6:07 AM
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