band Keeps the Crowd Coming Back with engaging live shows

The Cure is a band that mystifies music lovers everywhere. With decades of hits and a reputation for spectacular live performances, they continue to draw in fans year after year. What sets them apart from other bands and what makes them so enigmatic? One thing that's immediately apparent is their unmistakable sound. Led by the distinctive voice of Robert Smith, The Cure's music is moody, introspective, and full of epic guitar riffs. Needless to say, they’ve played an integral role to many but specifically my parents’ and my life.

Perceived as “dark” or mysterious, the band is quite the opposite. Sure, there is the goth influence and tones, but their music is more uplifting and engaging. They defined the 80s and are able to pack out arenas and stadiums to this day, and that’s simply an effect of having the music come first. Earlier this year, the band made headlines when frontman legend Robert Smith battled ticket conglomerate Ticketmaster, deciding that ticket prices should be a one price fits most policy and allowing as many fans to register to purchase them fairly. There was also little to no reselling available, and if someone could not attend, they could transfer their ticket to someone for the exact dollar amount they paid. No scalpers, great music, and the same policy came into affect when it came to the band’s merch. Shirts, sweaters, and specifically designed posters for each tour date were all made affordable for fans to snatch up either at one of the performances or online hassle free. Let this be known: many bands and artists can choose to do this, but few do. The Cure is hopefully setting a sustainable and fan-friendly precedent.

With all that in mind, I felt part of something bigger while walking into the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California. Having been there only once before as a fan, I was eager and nervous for what the photo pit was like, how high the stage was, and how fast my shooting had to be. It all subsided though. I was shooting The Cure.

Part of the appeal of The Cure's live performances is their theatricality. Smith's dramatic makeup and hair have not only become an iconic portrait of the inner emotions of the band but a symbol representing goth and alternative music altogether. I can’t begin to fathom how many tees of the band my parents have worn over the years; I was dressed in my own for the occasion. 17 photographers graced the venue, and for that reason, we were split into two groups with the first half taking songs one and two and the latter taking the next two. This was a great call, because when it was time to shoot opening act The Twilight Sad, it was a bit of a hassle moving effortlessly in the pit. Narrow in width but lengthy from both ends of the stage, I mainly focused in the middle for the band’s opening set. Those not familiar with The Twilight Sad’s music had to have heard of their name at least, considering how often they open for The Cure (pretty much exclusively).

After their introduction, all photographers went back to the entrance of the venue where we waited for The Cure to take the stage. Around 8:15PM, we were led back to the stage where every seat of the venue was now filled and the chants of those in the lawn were heard loudly. Group one made their way back into the photo pit while the rest of us in group two looked on as the band walked out. Smith was the last to take the stage, approaching the audience to the very edge of the stage, just looking on at the crowd. He let out a few smirks without saying a word. The audience greeted him with enthusiastic cheers and Smith took that as a sign to get to the mic and kick off the set with new track “Alone” which they debuted last year on tour. This was followed up by hit, “Pictures of You” that seemed fitting for the situation we were in. I watched from outside the photo pit, seeing Smith come so close and have this aura to him. His demeanor from the get-go radiated “I’m just happy to be here.” The song had already ended and we were being moved in as the band went into “A Night Like This” and “Lovesong.” It was a bit tough to not get distracted by being feet away from Smith and company playing some of their most iconic songs, but I tried not to get wrapped in the moment.

The photography went by in a flash. I was checking in my bag at the front desk and running to my seat to enjoy the rest of the show. The set list consisted around five new songs (one of which was for Smith’s brother “I Can Never Say Goodbye”) from The Cure’s long awaited LP. Spanning 29 songs, the crowd was spoiled with tracks off The Head on the Door, Wish, and even Pornography. The band was in a Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me mood, dusting off “If Only Tonight We Could Sleep” and “Hot Hot Hot!!!”. As the show went on, Smith unwinded, making banter with the crowd, joking about his age and how soon he will forget the lyrics to all his songs. After two encores and a strong ending featuring “Friday I’m in Love,” “Close to Me,” “Just Like Heaven,” and “Boys Don’t Cry,” in that order, Smith approached the edge of the stage once more. The gratitude couldn’t be held within him; his eyes widened and his smirk became an elongated smile. All the concerts, tour posters, traveling, bootleg shirts, Doc Martens, and songs later, he seemed as if he just played a gig in a Crawley pub in 1976. That’s more than an everlasting impression on music. That’s legacy. Check out the set list here!