The Cult - Shepherd's Bush Empire, Oct 18/2009
London, England, Shepherd's Bush Empire
Hi, I just found your site - I was looking for somewhere to put my views as I have been a Cult fan since 1984 and not that that is particularly relevant, but some things happened at The Empire on Sunday that all Cult fans should be aware of.

Firstly, the show was INCREDIBLE. The right venue, Albert Hall is seated, so the audience vibe has a bit of a low ceiling in a way, here the old school dancefloor meant that the audience REALLY REALLY let go as the band started to deliver. I'd heard differing comments as the tour reached the Uk and then came towards London and recently the band have not quite got the sonics and feel right of vintage tunes. They ABSOLUTELY delivered though, it sounded SPOT on, no overt rockist flourishes in the playing that weren't there on the record (or the orignal tour, I saw the Love tour first time round at Hamersmith Palais, which was the best dancefloor in London - rip!) Ticket price was different, was £5 then, now £35!

Most of Love was played, no Little Face or Judith. Phoenix was a standout in the uptempo tracks and Revolution was just GORGEOUS. Ian sang beautifully all night, he said at one point he was struggling health wise but he was ON IT vocally. He didn't go so much for that fantastic front man dancing that we all love him so much for, he just sang brilliantly - all the lyrics as well, which often hasn't been the case. He thanked us all for sticking with the group and a lot of people around me looked like they wanted to cry! The encored with hits from other albums and then ended with the Death Cult dead mickey mouse face logo up as a backdrop and played Horse Nation and Spiritwalker off the first album, which was really emotional and powerful for me as Death Cult I saw live and bought both the 12" singles when they were released, which got me into the Cult tribe and then the Dreamtime album really got under my skin and here I am still a major major fan. I work in music professionally.

Anyway, here's the thing, I THOUGHT Ian said at one point this was there last ever show in the UK, I couldn't quite hear him - I was on the first floor (next to Paul Cook of Sex Pistols), but I wanted to know if I got this right and if anyone else heard this as clearly it's of huge significance. Can you get a message to Ian and find out please? Feel free to post as a review this letter if you see fit.

Cheers,

Setlist
Nirvana
Big Neon Glitter
Love
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon
Rain
The Phoenix
Hollow Man
Revolution
She Sells Sanctuary
Black Angel
Encore
Electric Ocean
Wild Flower
Sun King
Rise
Dirty Little Rock Star
Fire Woman
Love Removal Machine
Horse Nation
Spiritwalker
his can be sure way of putting pennies into the coffers. A win win situation, something that will go for a long time yet.

Tonight was the turn of the Cult, who were to perform their 1985 Beggars Banquet release of 'Love'. A breakthrough album that combined the indie goth scene with fusions of rock. An album that gave the Cult three top 40 singles and went on to sell 2.5 million copies worldwide.

The band had just completed an European tour and had played the capital just a week before at the Royal Albert Hall, but this had to be the hot ticket, for this show at the more intimate Empire was to be grand finale of this tour.

With no support the fans had a long wait before the band came on stage just after 9pm.The band launching straight into the 'Love' LP in it's original running order.

For people who brought the CD release some years later would've found that tracks 'Judith' and 'Little Face' were omitted as these were not on the orignal vinyl release.

Billy Duffy was in the spotlight for most of the gig, and I mean that literally as the lighting man kept the rest of the band in the dark for most of the gig. Not that people downstairs were complaining. From were I was up on the balcony the dance floor was swarming with bees who had just had their hive kicked in.

Ian Astbury who had been suffering from a cold earlier on the Europeon leg was in fine voice, but still had the Jim 'dead in the bath' Morrison look with bushy shoulder length hair and a beard which hadn't been touched in weeks.

It was the three singles that caused most reaction. 'Rain' and 'Revolution' had the crowd singing in unison, but it was 'She Sells Sanctuary' which brought the memories back of a happy youthful time of '85.

As I never brought 'Love' album at the time of release ,it was the encores that I enjoyed the most making the set stretch to a full 90 minute show. 'Fire Woman' was rauchous and 'Love Removal Machine' went down so well it seemed the goths in attendance had forgiven the Cult for going metal.

With the dead Mickey Mouse logo behind them they returned to play two tracks from the first LP as a treat for those who had brought tickets for both London shows. 'Horse Nation' and 'Spritwalker' ending an enjoyable set.

For me this was the end of a mammoth eight gigs in nine days, which ended in style at the aftershow, and it was to be a star studded affair too. Comedian Mighty Boosh Noel Fielding was all glammed up, Sex Pistol Paul Cook was keeping a low profile and - sporting a new moustache that the Three Musketeers would've been proud of - was Hot Legger Justin Hawkins.

The oddest sight was Ian Astbury himself who was covering himself in a hoodie. Didn't he want to be recognised at his own aftershow? It's only rock'n'roll but I like it.

Where the Cult go from here is anyones guess, but expect a tour of 'Electric' some time soon.

Mark Taylor
Been a fan since the 1980`s and have certainly seen my fair share of high's and low`s but this was most definetly a high.

Went to the pub next door to the gig and saw lots a of fellow culties in the bar which was great. No support act but frankly this never bothers me. Great build up and they finally hit the stage - wow - the sound was fantastic and ian nailed the lyrics. they all looked pretty cool and on form.

Great to see all the love songs but for me Sun King was the highlight - so powerful - the crowd were wild and just lapped up the atmosphere.

Didn`t hear Ian say anything about this being last time they will play the UK so guess may have just been saying last date in UK on current tour - hey they'll be back , it's their home

Can't wait for some new music and a new tour

speckledjim
Setlist
Nirvana
Big Neon Glitter
Love
Brother Wolf; Sister Moon
Rain
The Phoenix
Hollow Man
Revolution
She Sells Sanctuary
Black Angel
Encore
Electric Ocean
Wild Flower
Sun King
Rise
Dirty Little Rock Star
Fire Woman
Love Removal Machine
Horse Nation
Spiritwalker