The Cure Amazes, as Always, at Nearly 50

Photos: Gerardo Federico

In years when we see bands that made our teen years punk and wild reuniting and playing their first (and second, and third) albums, both sides, in order, the prospect of going to see those bands can sometimes be scary – and not in a good way. I’ve heard people mention that they don’t want to “ruin the memories with the reality.” There’s a fear that the way you remember your favorite band from 40 years ago can’t possibly be the way they look, sound, and feel now – and you know they don’t look the same. After all, the rock ‘n roll lifestyle is not one with a rep for being easy on the body. Better to preserve the memory, right?

In the same way they constantly and beautifully helped turn music on its ear over the last five decades, The Cure turns that little conundrum inside out as well, as they did last Tuesday at Fiddler’s Green. Having seen The Cure many, many times (more times than I can count on three hands) since my first experience in Boulder in 1985, I know they’ve always been spot on, sounded perfect, and brought me to tears every time.

The Cure performed almost 30 songs from all over their history, and they played them all nearly perfectly.

The nearly 50-year-old band – in it’s current, lasting lineup featuring Roger O’Donnell on keys, Perry Bamonte on keys and guitar, Jason Cooper on drums, Reeves Gabrels on guitar, of course the old guard Simon Gallup on bass, and the inimitable Robert Smith out in front – held the packed amphitheater in awe for nearly three hours, never once seeming tired, or staid. They performed almost 30 songs from all over their history (and, consequently, from all over all of the present fans’ histories as well), and they played them all nearly perfectly.

There is no slow-down, there was no rust. The Cure sounded much like the have throughout all their shows – just a fresh as ever. Over nearly three hours, and through so many changes in style, they led us through an entire history of music – in the same way they have over the last five decades – a history they are largely responsible for themselves.

Starting with “Alone,” a single that should be on the new album Songs Of A Lost World (which was supposed to be released before the current tour – but Smith says it is still coming out very soon), the band immediately jumped into “Pictures of You,” one of their biggest hits (we all know how cool it is for a band to get the hits out of the way soon, right?). From then, they spun a litany of songs from throughout their career, more popular next more obscure, and all beautifully done.

The Cure shows no signs at all of slowing down, and in fact seems to be riding another wave.

“Burn” – from The Crow soundtrack – was one I’d never heard live, and it more was than a pleasant surprise. “Kyoto Song” was another I’d never seen live, and it was done brilliantly, lifting the entire amphitheater just a little – a noticeable raise in spirit.

“From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea” led beautifully into the first set’s closer, “Endsong,” also from the new record. And then the band led us through two long encores before wrapping up with “Boys Don’t Cry” – for my money one of the best pop heartbreak songs of all time.

Along with that – admittedly unfounded (at least sometimes) – fear of seeing your dreams shattered by the reality of age, there is also another fear I think about from time to time. Which of these shows by these hugely influential and fantastic bands that are continuing to tour into later years – like The Cure – will be the last one we get to see?

Fortunately, The Cure shows no signs at all of slowing down, and in fact seems to be riding another wave. With two records coming out in the coming months, and shows like the show they gave all of last Tuesday, I think this is one fear we don’t need to consider.

At least – thankfully – not yet.