The Cult was part of one of my top five best concert experiences ever - a show in Sioux Falls, SD in support of their 1989 album, Sonic Temple, opening for Metallica on their Damaged Justice our. The show was general admission, and I was an 18-year-old metalhead, right up front in the thick of things (where I always was in those days). I routinely left concerts battered, and the Sioux Falls show was no exception. Being the age I was, along with the relevance of that music to me at the time, the show can never be replaced. That said, 17 years later, The Cult comes a lot closer these days to sparking those same feelings than Metallica.
Joining founding members Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitars) in the 2006 version of The Cult are rhythm guitarist Mike Dimkich (who has played live with the band for the past 12 years), bassist Chris Wyse (Cardboard Vampyres, Jerry Cantrell), who performed on The Cult's, 2001 release, Beyond Good And Evil, and drummer John Tempesta (White Zombie, Helmet).
At the 11th show in the 19-date A Return To Wild U.S. Tour 2006, The Cult hit the stage in Minneapolis with "Lil' Devil" from 1987's Electric. They followed up with another favorite, "Sweet Soul Sister" from 1989's Sonic Temple; Astbury's stint with The Doors Of The 21st Century must have rubbed off on him some, as he sang the phrase "city of light" during this song. The remainder of the first half of the show was mostly uneventful. There were some o.k. songs ("Revolution" and "Brother Wolf, Sister Moon," a song "written in a burnt out bedroom in Brixton"), but the band seemed to be going through the motions a bit.
A sign was passed onto the stage that read, "Ian - Come Back To Lake Mille Lacs," to which Ian replied, "Where the fuck is Lake Mille Lacs?" Astbury then mentioned the weather forecast of several inches of snow for the evening and commented that indeed, they may have to hang around town for awhile. Things seemed to loosen up at this point, and among other things addressed from the stage were: the need for more sugar-free Red Bull, and Astbury not jumping around as much as he used to due to being "jumped, beaten, and stabbed" so many times over the years that he'll soon be joining Iggy Pop as a hip replacement patient. "The leg's not so good anymore, but the voice is OK," he remarked. A quick count of a show of hands concluded that 37 people at this show had seen The Cult last time they were in Minneapolis (you kinda had to be there).
When the band played "Rise" from Beyond Good And Evil, something seemed to happen that energized both the band and the audience. From there on out it was all-out high energy rock, with "Rain," "Fire Woman" and "Wildflower,” and the enthusiasm and momentum lasted for the remainder of the concert, which included two encores.
As always, there were a few songs not played that I would have liked to have heard ("Big Neon Glitter," Hollow Man," "Sun King," "Wild Hearted Son"), but with John Tempesta joining the band within just a couple weeks of the first show of the tour, The Cult still played a good variety and sounded great. Why this tour was put together on such short notice and with no new album in the works, I don't know. But I was glad to be able to see one of my favorite bands in my favorite concert venue. Plus, I got a vintage "Love" t-shirt.
Set List
Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
The Witch
Peace Dog
Revolution
Spiritwalker
In The Clouds
Wonderland
Brother Wolf, Sister Moon
Gone
Rise
Rain
Fire Woman
Wild Flower
War (The Process)
Encore
Edie (Ciao Baby) - Ian and Billy acoustic
Electric Ocean
She Sells Sanctuary
The Cult was part of one of my top five best concert experiences ever - a show in Sioux Falls, SD in support of their 1989 album, Sonic Temple, opening for Metallica on their Damaged Justice our. The show was general admission, and I was an 18-year-old metalhead, right up front in the thick of things (where I always was in those days). I routinely left concerts battered, and the Sioux Falls show was no exception. Being the age I was, along with the relevance of that music to me at the time, the show can never be replaced. That said, 17 years later, The Cult comes a lot closer these days to sparking those same feelings than Metallica.
