The venue was special, the crowd were well up for it and as soon as the first note of nirvana rang out, it was the start of a magical night!
The band were amazing! Ian was clearly loving the reception from the crowd. Billy despite technical issues with his effect pedals was throwing shapes from the off and his giutar soared as it filled the cavernous venue!
Ian was bouncing and jumping about like it '85 all over again.
Mike, chris and john were totally getting off on the atmosphere, coming to the front of the stage to engage the crowd or really smash the drums in johns case.
And now the surprise guests!
The band left to wild cheering and raptures but that was nothing when ian came back on told the crowd billy had had an idea???
Billy came to the mic and introduced 2 guys who without them "Love" would not be the album it was and introduced Jamie Stewart and Mark Brezizicki!!
The crowd paused in stunned silence then went mental!
Billy said they were under rehearsed but to stand up, kick over your chairs and get loose before starting up Phoenix.
I couldn't believe what I seeing, Jamie back onstage with Ian and Billy.
The second song was a moment of pure cult perfection!
Ian, Billy, Jamie & Mark playing she sells sanctuary!
Words defy any description of the 3 mins during the song, it was one of the most special moments as a cult fan!!!
Billy also used the original White falcon as used on the record it doesn't get any better than this in cult land!
Many years ago I attended a concert of YES in Belgium. On a certain moment, the singer Jon Anderson said to the crowd : "Music is magic".
Well, that is what I can say about this Love Live show in London on Saturday: pure MAGIC !
I had to travel a long way from my hometown Bredene in Belgium. The first 100 miles by car, then the ferry from Calais to Dover, then the train from Dover to London Victoria and in the end the underground to the Royal Albert Hall. But I can assure you : it was all really worth it, the hell it was!
I don't know if this concert was sold out, but the hall seemed to be quite full of people.
I have seen The Cult so many times now, during all those years. Honest, they have never disappointed me.
The sound in the Albert Hall was perfect: loud but very bright and clear. Ian was very good by his voice. Last year in Brussels that was also the case, which is very pleasant of course.
Nirvana is the perfect song to open a rock and roll show. I stood up from my chair immediatley, so did the people around me......for the rest of the concert, yes indeed !
The 3rd song was (and still is) my favourite one : "Love". It sounds even better live than on the record. Billy uses a lot of echo and delay effects on his guitar during this one. And in a huge place like the Albert Hall, this song gave me the kind of feeling like : "Woooaaaw". I really hope they keep playing this song in the future.
Other highlights - for me - were Rain, The Phoenix ans Sanctuary.
During the second set, I'd already read some 'negative' reviews during this tour. But hey......these songs rocked like hell. Was it because of the band, the hall, the crowd, or what ? Electric Ocean sounded as if the room was coming down. Wildflower was played at top speed and full power. Sun King is a sing along song for a rock and roll show. Dirty Little Rockstar was far more better live than on the record. The end of Love Removal Machine (Billy's gitar solo) did remind me of the best of Led Zeppelin.
But still, the show was not over yet. Jamie Stewart (bass guitar) and Mark Brzezicki (drums) joined in on stage, and they seemed to enjoy themselves a lot (as well as the audience).
What can I say : if you like music, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS LOVE LIVE TOUR !!
You know what : Friday the 16 th October, I'm going to see The Cult again in Brussels.....the hell I will !
Long live The Cult.