Original Goth rockers The Cure play Auckland's Vector Arena this Tuesday. Herald entertainment reporter Joanna Hunkin headed to Sydney to check out their act
KEY POINTS:
Rock bands are generally not known for the punctuality but with a staggering three-hour play list to get through Robert Smith does not have time for stragglers.
The doors opened at 7.45pm and by 8.05pm The Cure were on stage.
Unfortunately, we were still en route to the Sydney Entertainment Centre so missed the first ten minutes of the show.
At the time we were disappointed. Looking back, we needn't have been.
As the remaining the two hours and 50 minutes taught us, Smith may be a fascinating, indeed mesmerising performer, but he does have a tendency to suck the life out of you.
After an hour of watching the Edward Scissorhands look alike, a friend made the welcome suggestion we adjourn for a drink.
As we joined the winding queue for the bar it became clear we were not the only ones in need of a reprieve.
If you're not a dedicated Cure fan, familiar with the band's extensive 30-year-old back catalogue, you may want to consider your options before you fork out $120 to see the show.
Smith chose to steer clear of The Cure's most commercial tracks, playing a heavily abridged version of Friday I'm in Love and ignoring Lovecats altogether - despite being the band's first ever top ten hit.
Even if you are a dedicated fan, you may still struggle with the somewhat self-indulgent three-hour show, comprising 35 tracks and three encores.
To see Smith perform is an experience not to be forgotten.
But an experience that could easily be improved by shortening the play list and re-investing the saved energy into a culled set.
Likewise, if you're looking for an insight into the man NY Rock called a "poster child of doom and gloom", you're unlikely to find it.
Other than some mumbled introductions and thank yous, Smith had little to say to the nearly 10,000 strong crowd.
Still, he has earned a loyal legion of followers - many of whom modelled themselves directly on the singer - and they were not disappointed.
But for those with a less intense appreciation for the great Mr Smith, it was a long night, with only moderate rewards.
SET LIST
Open
Fascination street
From the edge of the deep green sea
Kyoto song
The blood
The end of the world
The walk
Alt.end
Lovesong
A letter to Elise
Pictures of you
Lullaby
A strange day
The figurehead
Push
How beautiful you are
Inbetween days
Friday I'm in love
Just like heaven
If only tonight we could sleep
The kiss
Shake dog shake
Never enough
Wrong number
One hundred years
Shiver and shake
End
Encore 1
Plainsong
Disintegration
Encore 2
Hot hot hot
Let's go to bed
Close to me
Why can't I be you?
Encore 3
A forest
Boys don't cry
