The Cure

The Cure Wraps Up U.S. “Shows of a Lost World” Tour in Miami

When The Cure first caught broad attention in the U.S. in the early 1980s with their fourth album release Pornography, their fans belonged to a subset of culture. The dark, post-punk melodies and their eventual black-clad, pointed hair and heavy makeup stage personas attracted a particular group of followers existing on the fringes of daily society. Asked what music you liked, then answering “The Cure,” was the secret password that would get you into or excluded from any friend group. The antithesis of the hair-band metal and bouncy bubble-gum pop of its time, The Cure’s moody music struck a timbre that resonated and grew throughout the years until its fanbase numbered legions and the band itself became synonymous with a new musical genre – Gothic Rock. While that description has stuck for over four decades, the nearly 20,000 fans filling the Miami-Dade Arena on July 1 experienced why The Cure cannot be defined by any one genre and are recognized instead as one of the most prolific and time-tested musical talents of the past half-century.

The Cure’s final stop on its sold-out U.S. Tour was once again opened by the Scottish indie group, The Twilight Sad, which set the tone for fans with their darkly melodic music and thumping baseline. “Seriously, they should be headlining these shows!” The Cure’s founder and frontman Robert Smith would later say, and The Twilight Sad certainly has the talent to be on their own tour. This night, however, belonged to The Cure and the fans were more than ready to greet them when each one of the members took to the stage. The band unceremoniously launched into one of The Cure’s best-known hits from its unparalleled album, “Disintegration” with its next song, “Pictures of You.”

The Cure’s final stop on its sold-out U.S. Tour was once again opened by the Scottish indie group, The Twilight Sad, which set the tone for fans with their darkly melodic music and thumping baseline. “Seriously, they should be headlining these shows!” The Cure’s founder and frontman Robert Smith would later say, and The Twilight Sad certainly has the talent to be on their own tour. This night, however, belonged to The Cure and the fans were more than ready to greet them when each one of the members took to the stage.

The Cure’s final stop on its sold-out U.S. Tour was once again opened by the Scottish indie group, The Twilight Sad, which set the tone for fans with their darkly melodic music and thumping baseline. “Seriously, they should be headlining these shows!” The Cure’s founder and frontman Robert Smith would later say, and The Twilight Sad certainly has the talent to be on their own tour. This night, however, belonged to The Cure and the fans were more than ready to greet them when each one of the members took to the stage. The band unceremoniously launched into one of The Cure’s best-known hits from its unparalleled album, “Disintegration” with its next song, “Pictures of You.”

Throughout the evening, the giant screen showed beautiful, moving depictions of each album cover or video as the corresponding song began. Fans were treated to moving projections of towering trees during the worldwide hit “The Forest,” and creeping spiders during “Lullaby.” The projections stood in stark contrast to the theatrics on stage, which were few. Smith and his custom Schecter UltraCure guitar would occasionally riff off with Gallup, bob his head in time to the beat or move his body at longer bridges, but for the most part this was a group of incredibly talented musicians doing what they do best.

Smith’s vocal range stayed impressively true, hitting the emotional urgency of songs like “Burn,” “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea,” and “Shake Dog Shake;” sounding the dirge-like melancholy of “Charlotte Sometimes,” “Lovesong,” and “Endsong,” and flexing his stamina with countless repetition of “again and again and again and again…” in “The Forest.” Like everyone instrument used to create the band’s unique sound, Smith’s voice is a key component, and heused it to full capabilities that night. There were personal moments on stage when Smith walked the perimeter of
the stage to smile down at fans between breaths and teared up at the emotionally charged sea of devotees.

It is nearly impossible to believe that this band has been performing and making albums for over 40 years until you hear a setlist of deep cuts and chart-topping hits in a concert that ran for nearly two, straight hours. The Cure was as indefatigable as the fans, and its screaming encore of hits including “The Lovecats” “Just Like Heaven,” “Killing An Arab” and nearly a dozen others which likely left the audience voiceless the next day, such was their appreciation. Following the final encore of the night, Smith remained on stage to give personal thanks to the drivers, crew members, and everyone else who made the entire tour “F-ing incredible.” He grew emotional again as he thanked the band and the audience for all their love and support. The Cure showed their own appreciation from the start by fighting to ensure price-gouging for tickets was held in check; merchandise was priced at the same rates as it was in 1989, and by delivering a concert that was a “Lovesong” to both die-hard fans, and to those who are just discovering the virtuosity and majesty of this iconic band.