we love you guys
Against Me! is a powerful band that went over very well with the Cult fans, and was obviously revered by its own fans. Younger bunch, mosh pit and all, added some youthful energy to the Cult crowd for sure. Laura looked like if it wasn't for how many words are in their songs, she would have just busted out smiling the whole time... what bravery, validation, and vindication! Definitely made a fan out of me.
The break was NOT overly long (as they have indeed been at some shows), and during the break Burn My Shadow was one of the songs, which very few people seemed to notice.
Soon enough Lil' Devil ripped through the full but not jam-packed theater (which is probably good since it was 113 during the day and surely 90-100 in the room). Honey followed, and the reaction for it was just as big- a first sign that the new material is extremely well received (and just bursts with raw energy live).
Straight into Rain, and then finally 'good evening' and a few words for the crowd, mentioning 'Choice' and then roaring into Lucifer, which is so so strong. Ian is singing soooo much better than previous recent shows- 'going for it' on some higher notes- a veteran master of his craft still exploring and growing. For those who care, what isn't growing is his waistline- he's clearly lost a lot of weight from the heaviest time, and the fact that he wore the fur jacket the whole night in that heat probably meant a few more pounds disappeared hehe....
Billy shredded on Nirvana as usual. Lots and lots of Duffy Windmills tonight. No 'Duffy scowls' at the sound system, etc. that bring down some other shows- just spot on brilliance. Embers was next, and I still nominate it as the Cult song that sounds better live vs. album more than any other. Even though live you don't get the haunting background early in the song, everything else is a million times better, from the killer main riff, to the pulsing bottom end of a live song, to Ian's passionate singing and eagerness to connect with the crowd- it comes together so well in Embers.
Fire Woman was the right song to do next, and even though I personally never want to hear it again live (hehe), the crowd in general still eats it up, and it's so cool to see so many people loving my band, so, it's all good.
From then on, the show was the best Cult show I've ever been to (this makes 15)-- and it had already been damn good. The Wolf is one of their strongest songs ever, and MAN does it rock live. I love how Billy handles the 'reverbs' in the second verse at the end of that amazing riff. Ian gets so into it, John crunches the very end, just so damn good. Straight into a tight, manic Wildflower. Next was The Phoenix, which Ian introduced as 'a song about the biggest city around here... Wickenburg'. (Wickenburg is a tiny town you would only know if you drive from Phoenix to Vegas). The crowd loved it, and while I would have loved to have a more chatty Ian night, they were so focused on musically bludgeoning us, there wasn't any time. He did thank the crowd for not texting much, though (and joked he took care of his texts when he kneeled down by the drums to catch a drink between songs).
Ian loooooves For The Animals, as he really sold the Intro, and again, they tore through it with such passion. The live ending where Billy goes up an octave really, really helps this song. Rise is a great addition to the set, and fits perfectly in this particularly high energy show. Isn't there time to throw in Earth Mofo and Be Free to represent all the albums and keep the energy high? Please? (And yes, Sun King would really work too hehe).
Sanctuary makes me sad because I know the end of the show is near- but the sadness doesn't last long because there is no way to be sad during this celebration song, Billy windmilling, John and Chris thrashing, and Ian holding court while a few thousand fans from 14 to 70 (yes that much) all smile and sing their hearts out.
A very short break, then paradise for the long-term fans begins, with Horse Nation and Spiritwalker back to back- hell yes!!! Ian mentioned how old the songs were and yet how contemporary they still are, and the crowd couldn't agree more. I think they could do no wrong tonight, and I honestly felt they were itching to throw something else in there, some special treat... but it wasn't to be, and a sick LRM closed things out.
In short, a fantastic opener like Against Me! really helped, the band is rejuvenated by the new material, 5 years together has made them the tightest sounding ever, the energy translates to the fans, and it is still a special treat to be in the presence of great fans and great artists!