We head to the venue shortly after 8 as I wasn't really interested in the openers and we had primo reserved seats. No need to be there extra early for a good up front spot. We all know the Cult doesn't EVER go on early, but I quickly found out that tonight was to be different. I sent my crew inside while I toured around a bit and the next thing I know I hear cheers and they are starting NIRVANA! So I run to the doors and i'm told I have to wait until the song is done. Alrighty then, classy venue. lol So I finally get in during Big Neon and find my way down to the best seats in the best venue i've ever seen the band play, bar none! The sound was unbelievable, the crowd was full and all on their feet from what I could see around. I meet up with my friends and immediately start to rock out as the vibe was incredible. They tear thru Love and the crowd responds like I would never have guessed. The lighting centred on Billy was something to behold. It was almost like you were watching a concert in HD. BW/SM was everything is wasn't on the RTW tour in '06. Ian staying true with the lyrics and the return of the solo SO makes the song complete. Well received by the crowd and still clapping, John started right into Rain and thats when the madness began. Ian feeding of the crowd's approval, starts to motion people on the floor to get out of their seats and rush the stage. Mission accomplished. The crowd just starts filtering out of their seats into the aisles and right up to the front. Wild Hearted One and his wife slid past me and I gave him a pat on his back and told him to go get em! I'm not the tallest of dudes, so I was stayin put for my awesome view at the seats. There were ushers and security in the aisles all around us but they had no chance to stop everyone. By that point, the show was on and it was a classic CULT show.
The Phoenix was awesome as usual, even though I did miss the extended intro solo that Billy was doing before this tour. But I guess they are trying to keep it as close to the album versions as possible, which I have no problem with. As others have said at previous shows, Hollow Man tends to slow the momentum but Revolution surprisingly got things back on track and Sanctuary was just, well, Sancutary. I have no words to describe Black Angel other than moving. This song has always had a special meaning for me and it didn't dissapoint. I'm just gonna leave it at that. So the LOVE portion of the show was done. As has been reported the whole tour, it was received better than expected. The crowd was on their feet the whole time, for an album that was released almost 25 years ago! Makes you proud as a Cult fan to see appreciation like this.
I then took time to go downstairs and get my merch. To my disappointment, there were no dog tags and alot of the clothing was limited in sizes. I bought whatever I could in my size and my brother his birthday gift, the triangle Cult logo sweater. He was supposed to make the trip as he is a HUGE Cult fan also, but his gfriend is due any day to have their first child, so he had to give his ticket up. (sorry Tom, you missed a good one! ) I head back to my seat with all the stuff I bought in my arms cuz they had no bags either! Anyways, I'm just back in time for the "second set" and it picked right up where they left off. Electric Ocean right into Wildflower. The crowd had no time to catch their breath. I was keeping an eye on Billy all nite for tech. issues, but to me he seemed pleased with the sound and saw no dirty looks or barking at the sound guy. If anything, he was as animated as i've seen him. Multiple windmills, pointing and smiling at the upper levels. U could tell he was enjoying the show as much as we were. It was so freakin hot in that hall you had to feel for the guys in the band. After every song, they had to towel off the sweat. Sun King was great to hear, even though not a surprise for the die hards. Young Ethan who got pulled up and got to sing with Ian will never forget that experience. Just watch the youtube vid, nothing more to explain there. Pretty hard to top that and things simmered along until LRM when during the solo Ian starts pullin fans up on stage for the climax. Then all hell broke loose and the stage was full by the end of the show. I don't think i've been to a Cult show in my 25 years as a fan that almost brought me back to the heyday of the '80s. Not since the Electric tour have I seen Ian so animated and commanding the crowd to a level where you thought things would get "outta control". It was surreal and i'm just glad I had the chance to witness it firsthand. Cheers to Ian & Billy for giving us something special. I know we'd all like them to play a b-sides & rarities tour, but I just dunno if it would hold a candle to this tour. John, Mike and Chris are the consumate professionals for learning the complete Love album and playing it true to form. They too deserve our applause. As always, Toronto showed why we still need THE CULT......
Thats all I got. Hope you enjoyed my review as much as I did the show. Again, a shout out to CEREMONIALSTOMP (Jason), Wild Hearted One (Doug) and Buttwheat (Malcolm). Always good to see and meet people from the online tribe.