The Cure BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London, 6 Music Session 30th October 2024

 

I am not the greatest fan of the Cure by any stretch of the imagination. I do however have a great respect for the and how they conduct themselves as a band, as an institution you could almost say. I like the buzz that they have consistently been able to create around the release of new material. With yesterday's release of 'Songs of a Lost World', their first abum for 16 years, they have excelled themselves. I didn't really follow the build up to the release, but the oganisation behind the band worked brilliantly with the BBC to make the release a highly anticipated feast of the Cure's music old and new.

Here's how they announced it.

'To mark the release of Songs Of A Lost World next month, we will head to the BBC Radio Theatre, London on Wednesday 30th October for a special 6music session with Huw Stephens and an exclusive RADIO 2 IN CONCERT with a very small audience. 

Registration for the free ticket ballot is open now at by clicking HERE and will close at 9pm on Wednesday 9th October. Please see the link for full details and terms and conditions.

Both shows will then be available to watch and listen from 31st October via the BBC iplayer and BBC sounds.'

As if that was not enough, a full gig (all three hours of it) at London's Troxy was streamed free for fans. 

I appreciate that Mr Smith and Co are not overly constrained by budgetary considerations in such matters but fair play to them for giving their fanbase world wide the oppurtunity to participate, even if only digitally, with such grand launch events happening in London.

Many thanks to the original Dime uploader (auto_pilot).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-oupCzhPOjF

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-8gaJYb7AoJ

01. Robert Smith interviewed by Huw Stephens
02. DJ Intro
03. Plainsong
04. Last Dance
05. I Can Never Say Goodbye
06. DJ
07. Burn
08. And Nothing Is Forever
09. At Night
10. A Forest
11. DJ
12. All I Ever Am
13. Prayers for Rain
14. DJ
15. Disintegration

20 From '82 (5) The Cure Hugenottenhalle Neu Isenburg 21st May 1982

Here is an excellent soundboard recording of The Cure in Germany in May 1982, on the European leg of the 'Pornography' tour. I appreciate their importance, but if I am honest they do not shake my foundations, although some of their singles are brilliant. I took my daughter Mo to see them in Munich a few years ago. She loved it.....

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Q19ARKibTt

01. The Figurehead

02. M

03. The Drowning Man

04. A Short Term Effect

05. Cold

06. Charlotte Sometimes

07. At Night

08. Three Imaginary Boys

09. Primary

10. Siamese Twins

11. Splintered In Her Head

12. One Hundred Years

13. Pornography

14. The Hanging Garden

15. 10:15 Saturday Night

The Cure Bataclan Paris 17th December 1979

These sometimes float my boat, if talking earlier material.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-sFaqh860Fk

The Cure Royal Albert Hall London 29th March 2014

Part of the 2014 Teenage Cancer Trust benefit gigs in London, The Cure plated at RAH 5 years ago tonight. I have seen The Cure, as my daughter is a big fan, but they do not really do it for me, beyonda greatest hits set. Certainly 45 song sets are beyond me, but you can't argue that whilst a Cure ticket will set you back a pretty penny they deliver.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-hbXq5kjfoV

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-oTisia5XHa

The Cure Melkweg Amsterdam 12th December 1979

Last week my daughter Ramona was able to cross another thing of her 'bucket list'. This is a bucket list that she wrote at the age of 12, figuring I suppose that the earlier you think about these things the longer you have to realise them! Anyway seeing The Cure featured on the list.

During last week's half term holiday we travelled to Munich to see Bob and the boys play at the enormous Olympiahalle in the city and to spend some time visiting the Dachau concentration camp memorial site. I know how to show a girl a good time!

In the event, both activities were very rewarding for very different reasons.

Mo at Dachau

24th October 2016

Anyway, here's an excellent early recording to mark the occasion from way back in '79.

FLAC: https://we.tl/WfIzdL2oTd

Artwork: included in the download file.

01. Seventeen seconds
02. Accuracy
03. M
04. 10.15 Saturday night
05. Play for today
06. In your house
07. Fire in Cairo
08. A forest
09. Three imaginary boys
10. Another journey by train
11. Jumping someone else's train
12. Killing an Arab
13. Subway song
14. Grinding halt
15. Boys don't cry
16. A forest

20 From '80 (12) The Cure Grand Studio RTL Session French Radio 9th June 1980

Not so fat Bob

The Cure in 1980

Here's a short one that has been doing the rounds on-line for some time. I am not the biggest fan of this band, I have some of their stuff but not a great deal. Nevertheless, you have to admire their longevity and everlasting popularity. In recent years they have also put on some truely marathon shows covering their whole back catalogue... one of the greatest things that long lasting bands can do for their fanbase I think.

FLAC: On its way!

MP3: https://rapidshare.com/files/3051306363/TheCure090680MP3.zip

01. Intro
02. A Reflection
03. Play For Today
04. Three Imaginary Boys
05. Fire In Cairo
06. 10.15 Saturday Night
07. Accuracy
08. Boys Don't Cry

Also playing back in London tonight:

Fad Gadget   Rock Garden
Madness/Desmond Dekker/Go Gos   Lewisham Odeon