San Diego, California, Del Mar Race Track
I was in the States by coincidence, and couldn't believe I would have the
chance to see this show. (I'm living abroad, and no real bands play where
I live.) The venue was a horse race track, and admission to the concert
was included in the six dollar entrance fee. Looking around I saw a lot
Cult shirts...so the Cult brought in a good part of the crowd. It was a
huge crowd by the way. I have never seen so many people at a cult show...
Astbury mentioned a local radio station, so I suppose there must have
been some sort of promotion.
I was expecting Horse Nation to lead off because of the venue...Then,
right on time, the band walked and played Spiritwalker and then an
excellent Nirvana. The sound was great and was even better for Electric
Ocean. The engineer added an echo effect to the vocals for this
one----Incredible. The show was just leaping forward. The crowd was into
it. The band was in great form--if not spirit---(Billy was upset about
something).
Then, with much enthusiasm, Astbury announced that they had the #1 most
added rock track in the United States. Then said that even though they
haven't had to time to practice it, they were going to play Dirty Little
Rockstar! All right! I looked at my buddy and everyone seemed to stop
jumping around so they could really hear it. As fun as it was to be able
to hear the new song...the momentum sort of died for a moment. The song
is very good....the guitar was strong (rhythm guitar was turned way way
down the entire show....why?), the chorus was catchy....but the rest was
a bit forgettable. The drums and bass, which were slamming before...seemed
subdued and bored. The crowd was very polite and clapped and yelled.
Then the show kicked into gear again. So many amazing songs. Revolution
was a real surprise for me. Not that they played it, but that it sounded
so fresh. About mid-point in the show, the sound changed and Astbury's
vocals were too loud...when he was yelling, you couldn't really hear the
music....Didn't matter though---the crowd was loving every minute.
Then came I Assassin. It works in that it is a strong sounding song, but
fails to engage. The melody is more along the lines of a diatribe. Like
a lecture? It plods along---then it ends. Not terrible, but so close being
good it's frustrating.
It picked up from there. Once Rain hit, it was one big blur of action. The
Cult had this crowd. They were performers of the best kind...they played
like it meant something. Like they understood that they were lucky to have
us there, and they needed to earn our attention...not just demand it. Good
show!
William Hall
The Del Mar show was performed excellently. Billy was "Sick" on lead!
Ian's vocals were superb. New members were solid too.
Played three to four songs each from Love (Phoenix, Revolution, She Sells
Sanctuary), Electric (Wild Flower, Lil' Devil? Electric Ocean, & Love
Removal Machine), and Sonic Temple (Fire Woman, Edie, & Automatic
Blues?), and three new songs.
Pleasantly surprised they played Phoenix and Duffy Ripped that song. Wish
they would have played American Horse and Soul Asylum. It was a little
short at approx an hour and a quarter and with only a one, one song encore,
but hey, it was a virtually free Del Mar Show and I can not complain as
the price was right.
It was good to see them live again, as it had been the SDSU out door theater
in 89'?? the first time I saw them, and 90' or 91' the second and last
time. Hope to see them again if coming back to San Diego in October? I
thought that is what Ian said at the concert.
That is it from here. Feel free to respond with any comments or concert
news. Just want to say thanks for the entertaining and invigorating
concert.
Ralph - El Cajon, CA
Setlist
Spiritwalker
Nirvana
Wild Flower
Electric Ocean
Dirty Little Rockstar
Lil' Devil
Revolution
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Fire Woman
I Assassin
Rain
The Phoenix
Rise
Love Removal Machine
Encore
She Sells Sanctuary