I managed to get right down in front of Billy Duffy and to see his tech setting up the famous old Gretsch was amazing - even better to see the great man play it for the entire first set, although I recall he alternated between two?
Anyway, the Love album sounded great with the band really tight although Ian did seem to be concerned with something being too loud while Billy felt something (maybe completely different?) was too loud.
The 'Greatest Hits' set was superb with Sun King my highlight of highlights although the crowd did seem to become a bit lacklustre for the back-to-back renditions of Rise and Dirty Little Rockstar, maybe for obvious reasons!
I really wished I'd got tickets for more shows, it was that good and I hope I get the chance to see this show again although I fear that might be it for me!
I saw them in 1991, 2006 and 2008 but this was by far the best and the next show can't come too soon. Living a couple of miles from the venue I had driven past earlier in the day with my 3-year-old son but only caught the crew unloading.
Ian revealed during the gig he has got the train up from London that day. Other asides included a name-check for Nigel Preston during Revolution and Ian's attempt to stop a fight - "It's only a Reebok tracksuit top, not worth it"!
Billy was relatively quiet until near the end but I don't think he put a finger wrong all night. Tempesta was outstanding as always and the whole band was really on it.
Finally, Ian kept his leather jacket and gloves on all night and really looked as though he'd lived the tour - "All our clothes are trashed" - while his Morrison-esque appearance was very cool as well. I even managed to get a Duffy guitar pick.
This was the best show I have ever been to in 36 years.
Not a long trip today, about 80 miles across the pennines to a very rainy Leeds, arriving at the venue an hour before doors to hear the band soundchecking 'Brother Wolf Sister Moon' which really got the adrenaline flowing. The minutes before show time seemed to drag on for ever and the doors finally open, we are at the front of the queue and so get to claim our prize, stage front right ready for the arrival of the inimitable Mr Billy Duffy, Cult axe slinger and guitarist par excellence.
Lots of great banter on the front row tonight, met a great guy, John, who we had stood next to at the last gig in Manchester, I recognised the 'Wildflower' tattoo on his right arm and we talked about our many Cult experiences over the years and our love of the band which elevates them to a very special place in our hearts.
As 9.30 approached and the soundcheck was completed, a great round of applause went up for the first appearance of Billy's iconic white Gretsch guitar, the lights finally go down and the Indian projection appears on the screen at the back of the stage and the backing track kicks in, we're good to go at last for an unforgettable experience, Love Live in 2009, 24 years after the first time I ever saw the Cult in November 1985 at The Preston Guildhall.
The crowd went absolutely mental right from the off with the openers, Nirvana and Big Neon Glitter and before long I felt like I had become one with the barrier and would have to take a section of it home with me at the end of the night. Ian was on fine form and Billy looked happy with the sound with both of them genuinely happy to be here with us. Every song was met with the same energetic response from the crowd and the band were really firing on all cylinders, tight, lean, mean and hungry for our adulation.
Ian hates texting, fact, 'like wanking in public' and I cannot believe that anyone in the crowd, even on the balcony, would commit such a heinous crime at a balls to the wall rock gig like this, their loss! The setlist was the same as previous with one bright spark calling for Revolution, just at the right time, Ian chastising them for 'spoiling the surprise!' The crowd really going for it during Rain and Sanctuary but I particularly enjoyed Brother Wolf Sister Moon, Hollow Man and Black Angel as they were rarities on the set lists of my 24 Cult gigs over the previous 24 years, not a bad batting average!
The first half of the show was over far too soon but is the glass half full or half empty as we anticipate the treats yet to be delivered. I absolutely love Electric Ocean and I am glad to hear its stayed in the setlist tonight and Wildflower blisters as ever. Sun King always a highlight from Sonic Temple, the definite highpoint of the Cult's commercial success and the first album to truly break in the States. Both Dirty Little Rock Star and Rise seem to be delivered with real venom and Firewoman was a real treat but they always save the very best until last and tonight Love Removal Machine was the beast that we all know and love. Lyrics screamed like a banshee deliverering it's bomb load from the mouth of hell and a searing, grinding guitar that nearly took the paint off the walls of this relatively new and intimate West Yorkshire venue. What a finish to a truly inspiring gig which reinvigorated my deep love for my heroes. Whatever you do, you must get a ticket to the best show in town because the Cult have not only still got it, they never lost it and they're back bigger, better and badder than ever and tonights show was the best damn performance I have ever seen bar none! Thanks for the happy memories boys, come back soon, we all miss you!