By Diego
The Cure is a band from Crawley, England, founded in 1978. Initially called Easy Cure, the original trio consisted of Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey, and Lol Tolhurst. They are considered founders of cold wave (along with Joy Division), and their first four albums are cult classics: "Three Imaginery Boys," "Seventeen Seconds," "Faith," and the very dark "Pornography."
This last, very gothic album is often cited as their best release, and we see Robert Smith wearing dramatic eye and lip makeup during concerts. This style would become his signature, and their first shows at the Grand Parc in Bordeaux date back to the early 80s. In 1985, they became hit-making machines with "The Head on the Door," followed by "Kiss Me" in 1987 and "Disintegration" two years later. The Cure were launched into orbit; the synthesizer textures used by Bob and his band would leave their mark on and influence the entire Generation X, inspiring countless aspiring musicians.
As for the lineup, the only remaining member of the original trio is Robert Smith, although Simon Gallup, who joined the band in 1979, is still present after some comings and goings. There have been many changes in their nearly 50-year career. Currently, aside from Robert (guitar/vocals) and Simon (bass), Roger O'Donnell plays keyboards, Jason Cooper plays drums, and the formidable Reeves Gabrels plays guitar. Gabrels joined The Cure in 2012 after spending about ten years with David Bowie. To date, the band has released 14 original albums, remixes, live albums, and a rarities box set. They are constantly on the road and are promoting their 2024 album, "Songs of a Lost World" (their best release in 35 years).
PAGAILLE FESTIVAL 2026
To everyone's surprise, a new festival has sprung up in the Gironde region with an eclectic lineup mixing rock, rap, and DJs. Pagaille, which takes place in the Place des Quiconces in Bordeaux, lasts two days and features artists such as Slowdive, Jok'Air, Charlotte De Witte, and Nasty Joe.
The Cure took to the "Gloria" stage at 9:30 PM on August 28th for a 2.5-hour set featuring 28 songs. As is their custom, Robert and his band typically divide their concerts into two or three parts, blending their signature hits with a few new tracks. There were only two new songs that evening, but they were certainly not insignificant: "Alone" as the opening number and a haunting "Endsong" before the encore, which featured a lengthy introduction. During this introduction, Simon Gallup raised his bass before Robert Smith looked to the heavens, as if sending a message to a departed loved one. In between, some tracks stood out: the incredible "Lovesong," which is, in all genres, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. "Fascination Street" and "Shake Dog Shake" also stood out, recalling the band's heyday. Obviously, the double bill "Play For Today" / "A Forest" ignites a crowd of connoisseurs who are very vocal and motivated.
What truly defines The Cure's performance is the hypnotic spell the singer casts over the crowd. Like a magician, he delivers his message through his songs, explaining that he rarely speaks on stage. The crowd knows the tracks by heart ("Push," "A Night Like This") and is clamoring for more. The great thing about these Brits is that you're always in for a treat! The eight-song encore begins with "Lullaby" and ends with the iconic "Boys Don't Cry," recently reissued on maxi-single vinyl—I highly recommend getting it! The ovation is thunderous, and the 31000 spectators present are practically sweating with joy at the end of summer. Ultimately, this concert is a ritual, much like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' recent "summer tour." The power these artists exert on their audience is undeniable. An unforgettable moment, like the Pink Floyd concert at the same place in 1994, which Bordeaux music lovers like to cite as an example, 30 years later.
Photos: Diego
