Lost, Fascination St., A Night Like This, The End of the World, Lovesong, Push, Inbetween Days, Pictures of
You, Lullaby, Before 3, Charlotte Sometimes, Just Like Heaven, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, One
Hundred Years, The Promise

Encore: Close To Me, The Lovecats, Why Can't I Be You, Boys Don't Cry, Play For Today, A Forest.

As i sit here, my heart still racing, sometimes altogether skipping a beat, and my skin still heating and hovering
above 100 degrees, all i can think is that coachella was easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
and with the cure, the one true headliner, topping off the already stunning music festival, it’s so very difficult now
to attempt the inevitable exchange—to give up the soft (seeming) rigours of desert sun and streaming crowds only
to confront again the hard mundanities of everyday work routines and life. call it a stubborn will, an immovable
desire to remain transfixed in a dream…but here i am days later still clutching tight to the visions of this past
weekend, all still exploding about in my head like shimmering fireworks in a hazy sky.

it would be much too easy to blame this newfound spell on the dry, dusty desert air. after all, the heat, with its
sometimes intoxicating, sometimes dizzying effects, is a drug in itself, but add to that two days of absorbing
as many musical acts as you can possibly run to see, many of whom are among your favourites, and maybe you
can understand why i’ve gone into a bit of a trance with no real inclination of coming out.

by 10:20 sunday night, the time the cure were scheduled to take the stage, anticipation had locked me into some
kind of quivering paralysis (if that makes any sense) that is, after eight years of seeing them live, all too
familiar. it never fails. no matter how many times i’ve seen the cure, i always flail around like an idiot when i
hear they are coming to california. finding out about coachella this past january (or was it february?) was no
exception, and i’ve been stumbling about recklessly ever since in the wait. so after months of planning and
speculation, we were finally upon the moment—and it was almost more than i could take. after glancing nervously
at my watch probably a hundred million times (i had been informed at some point that coachella enforced a strict
midnight curfew which thankfully proved false) and witnessing the seemingly endless on-stage testing of
instruments,  i was beginning to get worried. and just when the thick tufted pillows of fog wisped and cleared to
once again reveal an empty stage, they this time appeared to reverse, illuminating five silhouettes in their course.

i don’t quite know how else to put it, but there was something almost  unsettling about the way the show began. i
offer myself logical explanations now for feeling that way—paranoia that maybe someone in the band suffered
heatstroke, disorientation from “lost” defying my expectation that it would lead, as with many cure album openers,
with a lengthy instrumental build-up…or possibly just that hollow eerieness that shivered through me the instant
robert, as if standing at the edge of a cliff over a non-existent audience, began calling out, “i can’t find myself…”
though it’s definitely shorter in length than most other cure opening tracks, i find it extremely effective and
compelling…the perfect entrance into their lush realm of sound, as it builds on itself from the get-go, charging into
a frenzied, swirling energy that pulls, swells and beckons before reaching an end that in no way seems final, if for
no other reason than you don’t want it to be.

and with the set immediately sliding into a slick “fascination street,” my earlier feelings of concern were all but
forgotten. i know my eyes were fixed intently upon the performers before me, but as to where my feet and
hands were i can’t be sure, and to those around me i do apologize. my elation continued throughout “a night like
this,” and i couldn’t help but think how the cure always manage to capture the mystique of the night.

the nocturnal mood lightened a bit with the new single, “the end of the world,” which upon initially hearing on “the
tonight show” i really didn’t care for (the cure didn’t seem happy to be there, and the whole experience just
seemed awkward), but have since grown to appreciate. seeing it live definitely swayed those first impressions—i
must confess to being biased though, something about robert’s voice in general can compensate for a lot (i even
kind of like “all of this,” the blink-182 collaboration). while a somewhat guilty pleasure in pop-dom, this seems
(quite gratefully) to be the weakest, most vapid song on the new album.

“lovesong” rang out next, reminding half the crowd why they were there (sad, but true. some people just don’t
understand, and i don’t even want them to anymore). but as elegant and pretty as it was, i was far more giddy for
“push,” a song that forever took on a whole new meaning live when i first saw “in orange” so many years ago. it
always is beautiful live, and the sultry wind only enhanced the song’s natural energy.

after “push,” the band resumed playing a steady string of singles, plunging into “inbetween days” and, by doing
so, rousing most everyone around me to shake their groove thang. and though the ensuing “pictures of you”
slowed the dancing to a lighter-flicking (seriously, what is the point of doing this?) sway, the crowd seemed
pleased, if not relieved, that the cure were not above performing these enduring songs of yore. with an onslaught
of surefire audience favourites now successfully colouring the collective coachella consciousness, the band boldly
bore into their third new song of the evening. slow and gently spinning, robert really lets the lyrics twirl off his
tongue on this one, and the result is racy, dreamy and evocative…sort of in keeping with the glowing reveries of
“wish” b-sides. actually, it really makes me wonder what this new album’s b-sides will be like….

some twenty years back from there, and we were all falling into the opening notes of “charlotte sometimes,”
captivating at once the gorgeous, haunting atmospherics that define the song for me. i hardly attempted a
glimpse at the stage, and instead stared up at the sky, absorbing with sublime delight the pyramid of lights
blurringly outlined above. the venue’s spotlights, the twinkling of stars and the desert’s bewitching moonbeams
all collapsed onto one another, gathering my favourite sounds in the world into one rapturous embrace. suffice to
say, it’s rare in life to experience such utter beauty and transcendence. coachella was the weekend of such
moments, and i am forever changed because of it.

“just like heaven” and “from the edge of the deep green sea” were next. charming numbers, of course, but songs
i can almost call certainties…and though “one hundred years” is still quite frequently played, its intensity
invigorates me every time. what can i say but that it truly is a prayer for something better…

arising from the splinting chaos of “one hundred years” and slowly building to bathe one and all in now
unrelenting celestial light was the final unveiling of the night, “the promise.” epic and overwhelming in a
reassuring way after the blandness of “bloodflowers,” i’m still traipsing through the layers of brilliance. yes, not
that i wasn’t already eagerly awaiting it, but the forthcoming album seems poised for sheer greatness.

the cure disappeared from the stage then, but without robert’s trademark “thank you very much and goodnight,”
i was sure there was more to come. besides the time seemed to have flown right by and though i couldn’t bear to
check my watch, i was sure it couldn’t be midnight yet. it was, in fact, probably just shy of it, but the cure refused
to yield to any unjustified curfew and instead dove into an encore of what must now be called early-career singles.
in a visibly happier, more comfortable mood (though the much-referred-to sound problems that characterized the
night never quite abated), “close to me” slinked into the polo fields, with the rarely performed “lovecats” playfully
pouncing out right after. save for hearing a few lines mixed up in “gone” in 1996, i’d never heard “the lovecats”
live, so i was especially glad to see it finally realized in all its pop and prance. “why can’t i be you” and “boys
don’t cry” came tumbling after, giving, it seemed, a proper hello and good-bye to those who’d never seen the
cure once til then and would likely never see them after. i guess all i mean by that is their performance of these
well-known radio hits was, as ever, stellar, sufficiently appeasing the many members of the crowd who only know
the cure as that “band played a lot during the flashback lunch” (actual quote from someone who was standing
near me, but who thankfully i do not know).

enigmatic yet salient versions of “play for today” and “a forest” closed out the set, sealing both the exhilarating
night and the unforgettable weekend. though i knew it was over (robert’s farewell comments drifting atop “a
forest” being telltale signs), i, along with thousands of others, kind of just stood there for a few sublime seconds.
not wanting to leave and let it all go, i tried in vain to make time stand still—and yet the inevitability was
inescapable. already, it was memory….but what a perfect denouement—to gaze through the seas of washed-out
faces at the empty, though energized stage and still burn with the bliss that only such music can create.

and with the inaugural curefest (i love them to death, but what the hell is going on?) just around the corner, the
devastation of the show ending doesn’t hit quite so fiercely this time. that the cure can sire magnificence
as memorable as their coachella performance is no big surprise to this eternal cure devotee. that they can inspire
so many other artists to do the same is what really amazes me. (stellastarr*, my heart be still…but otherwise…)
curiosa, we are ready…….

- Rayna Khaitan
 

     I don't know how many of you have ever been to southern California, but the place is really a hell hole in the
summer.  The heat is so hot that your face seems to melt off your skull and your spit in your mouth turns to dust.
A big change from where I came from, lovely cloudy London. When I got to Coachella, they wouldn't even let me
bring in an umbrella to shield my pale skin from the sun or bring any water.  Instead I had to pay 2 bucks for a
tiny bottle they sold inside after waiting in huge lines.  It was so evil.  I knew only THE CURE could get me to
come back to southern California and endure such a traumatic event.  But, I have to say, it was worth it.
     On the first day of Coachella I picked up some amazing new Cure shirts, plus a Coachella shirt that had Robert
Smith and THE CURE as the main feature.  I had fun watching The Pixies and Radiohead, but it was nothing but
a preview of the greatness to come.
       Finally on the second day after battling much traffic and charming my way up to the very front of the stage, I
awaited to hear THE CURE again.  I got there in time to hear Belle and Sebastian, Air, and The Flaming Lips.
All were quite fantastic but it was hard waiting so long for The Cure.  Plus the head and the thronging crowds
made me feel faint on a number of occasions.  Many times, it was only the motivation of THE CURE's presence
that kept me standing.
       When THE CURE finally came on, late as usual, the roar of thousands and thousands of people echoed
through out the valley. As I predicted and much to my delight, they opened up with a new song.  I was in an instant
state of awe.  It was almost like part of my soul that had been drained and left dry was quenched with this lush life
giving vitality, a missing part of heart was restored.  The music that echoed into my ears put me into another world
were only THE CURE and I exist and things make complete since.
       Through out the show, all the songs were fantastic as usual.  A big high light was the different version of
"From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea."  I still have it stuck in my head, I really hope a bootleg of that version
becomes available. It was like a musically happy version of the song, but with the lyrics still so gut wrenching sad,
it made it a mesmerising experience. Also, Robert played Love Cats again, a new trend in the recent concerts. I
could tell Robert wanted to make this show something special. And indeed it was, because we were the first crowd
to hear 4 new Cure songs played live.
     For me, it was the new songs that made the night.  As I mentioned before, it was an overwhelming experience
and Robert spoke truths straight to my heart.  I was delighted on how clique "Cure" the lyrics were.  They were
so nostalgic and about tragic love, so very Robert.  Robert mentioned the new album to sound like previous
albums, but I think really, once again, this album has a whole new invented sound of it's own.  The only thing I
could compare it with is the same intensity "The Kiss" has.  However, this album's sound has it's own unique flair.
    The last new song is what got to me the most.  Robert wailed on the guitars and he became immensely intense
and emotional. The whole band seemed alive with the energy of the new music and playing live for the first time
together.   The deep drums and atmospheric guitar and Robert singing "you promised me," created an illusion
that the song was sung just for me and to me on that night.  It touched deep into my own past memories and
coincided with the extreme time in my life at the moment.  I thanked God THE CURE was here ... I know this new
album is going to speak to me on a number of different levels.
   The encore was a course a few traditional favourites and ended the night well.  I was in awe and still in my Cure
bubble when they left stage.  It was very hard to refocus and talk to Cure fans afterwards for my book.  I did
manage to get a few really good pics of the fans and the band while they performed.  Even though my lovely pale
skin had turned a shade darker and I was more tired than I have ever been in my life, it was worth it all. THE
CURE always is.
    As always, if any fans want to chat about this experience or contribute to my CURE fan book, please contact
me at ShinakaiKitty@aol.com.

- Britain Kitten
 
 

Well all you Cure fans, I have been following Robert & Co. for 25 years now and seen them all over the world,
worked with them and have truly loved their work. My enthusiasm and respect for the music has always been
very supportive, however, I was totally disappointed with their performance at Coachella!  First off, introducing
new material was a total mistake.  Robert needs to understand that playing new music for non-Cure fans is a
total buzz kill.  Since the Flaming Lips were so outrageous and funny as shit, The Cure should have been able to
take it to the next level - they clearly did not!  Why on earth they did not go through the huge amount of catalog
concert favs to convert the masses and show the Coachella faithful why they are the top bill on Sunday is beyond
me.  Very poor decision.  This was not just a Cure show.  Read all of the reviews kids, they got 1 star for their
performance at best.

One issue that really annoys me is Robert's choice for Perry on guitar.  That guy is horrible.  Since the depature
of Porl, this sorely missing link has really hampered the growth that should be taking place.  Many of you will
totally disagree, but the fact is, Perry sucks - he needs to go away!  He guitar tone is horrible, he's slow as
molasses for a lead guitarist, he's not inventive on and he can't even play the riffs that Porl made famous back in
the day.  Look, I've been recording music for 20+ years and seen some unbelievable performers, so I feel I'm
extremely qualified to make this point.  Porl was awesome to watch... don't you think Robert Plant know's this
too??  Hello!!

As far as the sound, yes it sucked too!  If Robert felt it wasn't loud enough, then after a song, he should tell the
sound guys to fix it - tell the whole fucking world that he wants loudness, power, whatever.  Robert has the muscle
to demand perfection and the crowd would have totally supported him; but to blame the sound guys is a pussy ass
excuse for a poor show.  I mean, I could barely feel the bass and Simon is dope ass hot - he too was showing some
frustration on the sound.

I've been at Coachella every year since it's inception and seeing the sea of people there on the first sold out
weekend of this event was unbelievable.  Knowing that my all time favorite rock god Robert Smith and The Cure
would headline the last day was a dream come true - simply put, I just didn't get off on it.  What a huge let down.

- Jeffrey Ruthrauff
 
 

My trip to Coachella started with a delayed flight on the Friday night into LAX Airport, I was not impressed with
this one bit seeing as we only had a few minutes between landing and the start of the Tonight Show! My girlfriend
and I landed about 10.15pm (how appropriate I thought!) and literally RAN off that damn plane as fast as we
could, frantically trying to find a taxi to the hotel as I did not want to miss the performance of the new single.
After waiting around for a 'free shuttle bus' that never turned up, we flagged down a taxi and we were at our
hotel in 10 minuteswell in time for the Tonight Show. I don't find Jay leno funny one bit so sitting through his
show was pure agony to me, especially after a 13 hour flight. Eventually The Cure are introduced on and Robert
starts singing straight away, not many Cure songs start like this but it makes a nice change I think. We were both
impressed by this song, its catchy and packs a punch at the same time. I like the 'couldn't love you more' part
too.

The first day at Coachella we used as a test to see what time we'd have to get there the following day to be near
the front for The Cure. I was amazed at the size of this festival, definately the largest I have attended. We
walked over to the main stage just as The Pixies came on, the audience went wild for them (I guess it was like a
homecoming for them) and we were really far back near the mixing desk. It seemed impossible to get closer to
the stage, it was jam-packed, my hopes were dashed cause I thought I'd never get near the front for The Cure
the following day.
The Pixies put on a good show delighting the crowd (many of whom had just come for them cause they buggered
off as soon as Radiohead came on!) Radiohead emerged with a fantastic stage show, artsy effects on the big
screens and some rocking tunes. I particularly enjoyed a couple of their new songs, '2+2=5' and 'Myxamatosis'
but the highlight for me was 'Exit Music' which is probably my favourite song of theirs.

Day 2 at Coachella was really what we had came for. We got to the festival venue about 3.30pm after a fucking
LONG walk in the 100 degree+ heat. First stop was the water tent to stock up for what would be a very
demanding day! We made our way over to the main stage and must have been about 30/40 rows back from the
front of the stage at 4pm. Muse were up first, they gave a powerful display in the soaring temperatures, 'Plug In
Baby' really rocked in what was a great performance. The next band up were Thursday who i'm told were some
'Emo' band so I was not really looking forward to the prospect of it! Their lead singer though, to his credit kept
going despite collapsing and telling the audience he had been very ill for weeks. They finished their set and the
audience really warmed to them by the end of it. Up next were Belle and Sebastien, another very enjoyable
performance, they had the honour of the 'sunset set' and they even got members of the audience to dance on
stage with them. The next act were Air, I knew a couple of their tunes and was quite looking forward to their set.
Thankfully it was much cooler by this time and Air seemed most appropriate as alot of us could finally breathe!
Again we were most impressed with their show, especially 'Kelly Watch The Stars' which had everyone grooving!
I must say up to this point it had been an excellent feast of music...it took our minds off the unbearable heat.
Praise to the organisers who put the bill together, big thumbs up! The penultimate act of the night were the
Flaming Lips. It took ages for them to set up their circus act, then the lead singer decided to get into a massive
ball and walk all over the audience like a hamster in a ball...so yeah by the time they got round to playing some
music, they had time for 4 songs! If i was a fan of them I would NOT have been impressed. They had dancing
animals and all sorts on stage...I guess you could say it was interesting but I wasn't a fan before and I certainly
won't be now.

After the circus had been cleared, The Cure's equipment was bought on. By this time, amazingly we had got to
within the first 5 rows of the stage, infront of Roger's keyboard. It was evident that the band were going to be
playing alot closer together than usual, not because the stage was small but the way they set up the equipment.
I guess this was intentional? There were large areas left either side of the band. It seemed to take an age for
The Cure to come on, I was getting particularly annoyed at this one guy who kept coming on the check the
guitars (and even after all this time he fucked up!). There were chants for 'Robert Smith, Robert Smith' as the
crowd were getting impatient which I thought was quite amusing. Anyway, The Cure finally emerged at what
must have been 10.45pm to a rapturous reception. They launched into a new song, I now know as 'Lost'. A dark,
heavy opener which builds slowly, it sounded incredible, Robert sang his heart out for this one. Opening Cure
songs on the albums are always pretty special and this looks like it will be up there with the best of them. The
setlist reviews have been done to death already so i'll just try and list my highlights. It was great to hear 'End
of the World' for the second time in a couple of days, it seems like a good single and we were humming the tune
throughut our trip! As Robert started playing his acoustic guitar for Inbetween Days it was evident something
was not right, so we had to do without that for the first few bars! Robert was visibly annoyed, I think I managed
to lip-read him call the guitar technician a 'fucking prick' as he turned to Roger hehe.

The next new song 'Happiest Day'(?) I don't remember too much about except the line 'yeah yeah yeah' but it
was very exciting to hear these new songs live. During a very powerful One Hundred Years, one of Roberts
strings broke and I think by this led to what can only be described as him thrashing his guitar, he seemed only
one step away from smashing the thing over the drum kit, I have not seen him so agressive ever, it was
INCREDIBLE! They finished the main set with an epic which I now know as The Promise...we thought
Bloodflowers was an epic but this one could be even better, it has to be pushing the 10 minute mark and is just
a sprawling emotional rollar coaster ride of a song. During this song I grabbed my union jack cure banner, held
it aloft hoping the band would see it...Roger saw it and gave a big smile which was a really nice moment for us:)

The band came out for a pop-cure encore which featured the recently revived Lovecats which sent the crowd
crazy, along with a funky Close To Me complete with Roberts very own style of dance which the audience
around at the front seemed to really go for! Robert looked to be really enjoying himself onstage, often he'd give
these funny smiley faces and gestures, it was great to see him so animated. The audience did a good job with
drowning out the keyboards during Play For Today and it was the perfect finale of A Forest to close the show.

Well after four flights in 3 days totally 26 hours I can honestly say it was worth it. The Cure gave an excellent
performance, maybe not technically perfect in places (through no fault of their own) but an intriguing one none
the less, plus we got to hear the premier of the new songs, all 4 of which sounded just amazing. The LA crowd
are certainly more laid back than the Europeans (maybe due to the heat) but how people can stand still during
the '100 Years' workout is beyond me haha. Can't wait for the European dates in the summer, nor of course the
new album.

P.S. Top marks to the organisers of the festival for a great bill too :) I'm off to sleep now...

- Tom (Cureboy)
 
 

Since there has been so much said about the Coachella show I'm not going to write a full review, but there
was something I wanted to mention.  I was at the very front of the stage for most of the day on Sunday waiting to
see The Cure.  It was one of the hottest experiences of my life and I grew up in the Mojave Desert.  Water was
being sold for $2 a bottle and once you were at the front you had no chance of getting out to get it anyway.
During one of the hottest parts of the day a security guard walked along passing out free bottles of water to the
people at the front of the barricade.  He said that it was courtesy of the band called The Cure.  They wanted to
make sure their fans had plenty of water.  I thought that was a really nice gesture.  Not many bands would be
concerned with matters like that when they are relaxing back stage.  Thank you to them.

- John Peterson
 
 
 

I'll leave the old songs alone except to say that it was great to hear Lovecats, Push, and Play for Today, all
songs I hadn't heard in a while. As for the new songs, I was thrilled to be able to be one of the first to hear them.
I'm always jealous of people who got to go the Trilogy shows, festivals in Europe, etc. Anyway, Lost was
awesome. No long instrumental, but great lyrics and a great opening song overall. End of The World everyone
knows by now and as far I'm concerned its a nice song, but the weakest I've heard from the new album yet. The
third new song with no straight title was the best as far as I'm concerned. The lyrics, music were fantastic. I'm
not sure I can wait two months to hear that again. And finally, The Promise. Again, a great song, I cant wait to
see all the lyrics and listen to it on album. Overall it was a fantastic night, except for having to go home at the
end.

- Neil
 
 
 

I will just give information on the new songs since we all know the old songs.  Opening song was the album
opener "Lost" which totally mixed me up because there was no long  instrumental.  The music started almost
as Robert sung the first lyric.  Lost, being a song I never heard before made me feel like a pervert seeing
something I was not supposed to see or hear yet.  The song became very dramatic almost angry.  I need to hear
the song again to make some comparisons, since  I can't think of it sounding like any other cure song.   Robert is
a great salesmen, he knows to touch on the deepest emotions through his song, thefore planting a deep root of
cure in you.  The whole song escalates to a dramatic experience.  Overall, great song,  I just miss the
instrumental intro that we are used too.  "end of the world" was great live.   "The promise"  could possibly
become a cure favorite, very intense song. Robert screaming under a full moon "you promised me" over and
over, gave me goose bumps, Kinda  like a Disintrigation type of a ending..  The other un-name song was also
excellent, he kept repeating "My happiest Day".  This album will be a good one, could possibly give
Disintrigation competion. Can't wait to hear the whole album.

- Maui8273
 
 
 

The weekend was exhausting though very rewarding most of the time.  I moved around lots on the first day and
was mostly frustrated.  For Sunday I found a GREAT spot in front of the sound board area.  Lots of laid back
folks who were smart enough to sit in between the bands.  We watched the rest of the crowd stand and push each
other while we sat and kept our area roomy.  Lovely!  My girlfriend and I had to sit through several hours of
music and set changes before the Cure: Thursday (bleh), Belle & Sebastian (love them, but so boring live), Air
(amazing! the crowd dancing as the stars came out), and the Flaming Lips (only played four songs due to taking
too long to set up, but still tons of fun as always).

If anyone saw the Dream Tour show in Columbia, MD I was the guy holding the "Pictures of You" sign.  I've
seen the Cure four times before Coachella and had never heard my favorite song.  Last night it finally happened!
I figured it might... POY has had quite a year considering the commercial (ugh!), the single, the new vocal mix...
Anyway, it was so fabulous to finally hear it.  Closed my eyes and cried a little bit like the sissy Cure fan I am
deep down!

The new songs all have great potential.  I'll have to wait for the album before final verdict as others have said.
The Promise surely rocked.  It does have a "Disintegration" feel to it... seemed perfect for the main set closer...
"How the end always end!" subbed for "You promised me!"  I hope this doesn't mean The Cure will play
"Disintegration" less this summer.  Last night was actually my first Cure show to *not* hear that one.

It was a festival show... so the whole thing lacked a bit of the power you get from a proper show... FEOTDGS
was terrific (quite a few hands in the air, and most joined in eventually) as was 100 years, but the rest of the show
was singles and new songs.  It lacked the emotional depth of a show that throws in tracks like "The Kiss",
"Disintegration", or "Faith".  The other thing missing was the lack of visuals. I loved all of the imagery used on
the Dream Tour.  They had three huge white sheets hung behind the band, but they were never used to project
anything other than stage lights.

The tech wasn't overly impressive either.  Again, this is just due to it being a festival show, I suppose.  Although
Radiohead had a stunning light show... 100 Years had an amazing swell of lights (strobes everywhere!) during it's
climax, but other than that I can't think of any impressive tech moments.  Robert did look amazingly cool all
night...The desert wind was blowing steadily stage right to left and the smoke/fog was traveling past him in a
really cool way.  The video screens were great, too.  Two large screens on either side that were projecting
different band members. This show will look great on DVD (I'm assuming they will use at least part of it on the
inevitable Coachella DVD).

The crowd really got into the encore.  Lovecats was just great.  When Robert announced, "here's one we don't
usually do," I shouted "Lovecats!" and everyone around me seemed shocked 2 seconds later when I was right.
Thanks to Chain of Flowers I knew that he'd played it recently.  :)  Perry supplied all of the cat screeches with
his guitar.  Very funny.  Robert had a blast during the encore.  He really sillied up all the vocal tricks... especially
the end of Lovecats when he kind of rambles gibberish.

Great time overall.  See you at RFK Stadium!

- Charlie Todd
 
 
 

Lets see, Coachella,

  A very long day for those who got there when the gates open( i feel for the reviewer who said they waited the
entire day at the main stage, it was REALLY HOT!!
  I did see some great acts throughout the day (Elefant, The Kiiers and Whitestar were some standouts, Pretty
Girls make Graves, !!! didn't do it for me so much) but we were all waiting for the closing of the night, Robert
and Co.
  The organizers definitly get kudos, the area were well laid out and shade was readily available (a little cramped
at times, but available). and the stages were far enough apart where the music did not meld into each other (too
much). but as every large festival style show probably experiences, overzealous fans who are not satisfied with
how close they get, and will take any means necessary to get closer, not caring how rude they are (there are
acouple of twats from Malibu who know who they are that come to mind)that kinda put a negative feeling into
the air.
  After reallizing that we are at a spot that is close enough to the main stage that means we are not moving for
the next 3 hours, my friends and i enjoy AIR (fantastic) the flaming lips (who should have played more rather
than turn their set into a John Kerry commercial) and finally, THE CURE...
  Coming on almost 30 minutes late did not help the situation, and when they finally hit the stage, there was
definitly something amiss. Robert seemed to be in particularlly poor spirits. He was having a fit when he picked
up his Acoustic and reallized there was something wrong, then seemed to have problems with the levels the
mixing board were set at (kept pointing over then motioning to increase the levels on one of the guitars). Then
to topo things off, broke strings on two separtae guitars. After seeing the band play as often as i have, it is like
seeing a friend get injured, then a reminder of the injury as Robert, not missing a beat, completed the song,
broken string waiving around furiously.
  I will say this, the set list was outstanding. The new material was great to hear, but the verdict is still out and
will be until the new album arrives. I have to agree with the previous reviewer, it was a very strange but exciting
feeling to hear a song i didn't know every word to, know all of the bands nuiances when they played them. The
selection from the back catalog was amazing, to hear push again live (i feel in love with the song instantly since
"in Orange") and "From the edge of the deep green sea" without the driving lead, led more by Robert with his
accoustic, a great spin on a classic. The eencore was amazing, LOVECATS!!!! I have never seen them perform
this live. In the multitude of live recordings i own, they have never played this song live ( i checked all 19 of
them). What a treat.
  As the showed played on, any frustration robert was feeling at the start of the show had all but evaproated. he
was absolutely giddy by the end of the encore, which raised the spirits of this Very tired, Very overheated, long
time fan. Looking forward to the tour later this year.

- Will
 
 
 

Know I am a little late with this, but I had to get some sleep!  Got home at 6 this morning, but it was worth every
second.  Great to hear some new stuff, great to hear some rarely played stuff, great to hear the classics.

I have to agree with one of the reviewers below, it was very strange to be at a Cure Show and not know every
single song that comes on as soon as I hear the first note.  That said, The End of The World was much, much
better than the Leno set.  Maybe the sound was off for Leno, but it just sounded too forced.

Hearing Push was awesome.  That has been one of my favorite tracks and I have never heard it live.  Great
surprise.  Charlotte Sometimes, Hundred Years, you never get tired of hearing these!

I was somewhat dissappointed with the encore at first, but when Play for Today came on I was jumping up and
down, with the people around me looking at me like I was crazy.  Then when the beginning notes to A Forest came
on, I knew we were at the end, but in for a special end.  The first time I ever saw The Cure live they ended with a
powerful version of A Forest.  This night was no exception.  It is one of those songs that is great on CD, but is
just incredible live.  Simons bass smacking at the end and the reverb filling the desert was a perfect end.

Overall, the new songs sounded great.  I look forward to hearing how they sound on the album.  The Cure don't
dissapoint, even to a festival crowd, they still play songs for the diehards.  110 degrees and 8 hours of driving.
I would do it again in an instant.

- James Merrick
 
 
 

I just got home after a rather exhausting but oh so rewarding day at Coachella.  I'm going to spare you the details
up to the show.  But, I will give this piece of advice to anyone considering seeing The Cure at one of these types
of festivals.  Stay in the shade or under the tents as much as possible.  Bring a deck of cards and play Texas Hold
Em or even solitare.  Let's not forget the bottles of water I consumed today.  As they say in the business, "On
with the show!!!"

1)  New song which I've never heard

This was unexplored territory for me as a gigantico Cure fan.  I've NEVER went to a concert and didn't know
what song was playing.  I kinda liked it.  But, even after now 25 times of seeing them live, I felt rather out of
place.  That would change believe me!!!

2)   Fascination Street

With the starting few notes of the song, I knew this show was going to be good.  I really don't like speaking for
everyone. However, the people around me started dancing, screaming, andsinging along which only made my
concert experience way better.  Robert didn't do his usual move during the song.  But, that didn't really matter
to me.  I did it anyways.

3)    A Night Like This

Ever heard the opening few notes and instantaneously know what song it is?  I did this with this song.  Simon
bounced up and down as he gleefully played his bass guitar.  Perry absolutely squeezed every decible of sound
out of his guitar as he just about reached back with all his might.  All I could do was stand there in awe...this
says something because I was all over the place during the entire concert.  I loved Roberts "Hey Hey
Hey....Hey." at the end of the song.

4)    The End Of The World

I have to admit this.  When I first heard this song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, I didn't really like it at
all. However after hearing it live, I've changed my mind completely.  Roger had this one keyboard solo which
blew me away.  All I could do was write "Great" in my notebook.  It left me speechless.  I only wish I could play
like him!!!  He ended the song and to see him smile after a song is just the best don't you think?

5)    Lovesong

What an amazing song!!!  Everytime I hear this I can only imagine the love Robert has for Mary.  It's as if he's
trying to sing this song as loud as he can for her to hear it.  Gets me EVERY time.  You gotta love when Simon
gets that hunched back while he plays as is he's paying tribute to Peter Hook from New Order.

6)    Push

What a nice surprise hearing this of all songs.  The Cure NEVER seems to stop to amaze even me sometimes.
To see Robert sway his body and play his guitar like Neil Young is something to witness...and it's REASON
ONE and beyond being brilliant!!!

7)    Inbetween Days

As Simon happily jumped up and down during the song the crowd around me started to dance once again.  Who
wouldn't really?!?  I really enjoyed Roger looking over at Robert as they play out the last few notes of the
song...REASON TWO to see them live!!!

8)    Pictures Of You

I loved seeing Robert and Simon playing the introduction to this song.  And Jason's chime part only accentuates
the song.  Roger's keyboard parts is REASON THREE to them live...not to mentions Robert's guitar part at the
very end as well.

9)    Lullaby

Jason's drum part in the beginning was awesome.  I know even I fall into the trap ( no pun intended! ) of watching
primarily Robert most of the time.  But, let's not forget the FOURTH reason to see them live.  To play air drums
with him live is just the best feeling of being a Cure fan.  Liked Robert's sultry move when he sings "Looking for
the victim shivering in bed." and the almost disco like gesture with his right hand during the "...and softer than
shadow and quicker than flies" part.  Completely brilliant as Robert would say.  Let's not forget Roger's church
like keyboard part which gave the song that dark cathedral like atmosphere wouldn't you agree?  ...Reason
FIVE for all those keeping score!!!

10)    New song

Simon instantly jumping around again.  I liked the "Yeah Yeah Yeah" parts.  Had that poser like feeling
churning inside again.  Overall, it's a great song.

11)    Charlotte Sometimes

Everytime I hear this song, I'm reminded of a shot from the Live in Japan video where the camera focuses on
Andy Anderson's drumming.  Don't get me wrong folks, Jason is one heck of a drummer.  See the "Deep Green
Sea" comment 13.

12)    Just like Heaven

There's nothing like hearing Robert's 12 string guitar during this song.  You might have seen it during the In
Orange video.  But it is reason SIX to see them live folks!!!  To see everyone dance almost in unison and have
the opportunity to sing the "You You You" part at the end of the song is reason SEVEN and EIGHT!!!

13)    From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea

Same thing happened like it did with A Night Like This.  I instantly screamed, "Oh my god, it's From The Edge
Of The Deep Green Sea!"  I must have said it really loud because this girl standing in front of me looked at me
in amazement and smiled.  Robert and Roger's guitar parts reminded me so much of the Republica song "Ready
To Go".  It's really difficult to explain that one folks.  Reason NINE to see them.  Okay, enough almost pleading
with all of you.  Just witnessing this particular song LIVE in reason enough.  Seeing EVERY band member during
this song is a sight to see.  Ask anyone who has seen them live and I bet they will probably agree with me.

14)    One Hundred Years

Takes me back when I first heard this live back in 1985.  What a song!!!  Simon's usually jab step and Perry's
spinning around and swaying around like Neil Young is like WOW!!!  Robert's string broke during the song but
he's so good I'm sure no one felt jilted.

15)    New song

All I can remember from this song was that everyone jammed...see the "Deep Green Sea" comments.

16)    Close To Me

Encore. Loved when Robert said there was time for some pop.  Beleive me everyone out there, I would rather
hear songs like Deep Green Sea, Watching Me Fall, or Trust or even Sinking than to sometimes hear the upbeat
songs live sometimes.  However, even I have to admit there's something rather special when old AND new Cure
fans alike can enjoy and savor the live experience TOGETHER!!!  Nice touch with the synth trumpet part
Roger.  YOU THE MAN!!!!!  YOU....THE....MAN!!!!!!

17)    The Love Cats

"Something we rarely do" Robert said.  I don't think I've ever heard this song live.  Everyone...and I mean
EVERYONE including the camera person that zoomed in on Simon's heart Tat got into the song which completely
shocked and amazed everyone include me to the mix as well.

18)    Why Can't I Be You

For all you old timers here, remember those white shirts with the Kiss Me design on them back in 1987 during
The Kissing Tour?  Even though that was almost 17 years ago, I can still vividly recall seeing that during the two
shows at the L.A. Forums shows.

19)    Boys Don't Cry

Another crowd favorite and mine as well.  It's probably because I seldom play it. Makes me want to get a
tamboureen though and play along with Roger huh?

20)    Play For Today

See song 11 and 13.  Love the feeling of playing name that Cure tune live in concert after only hearing a few
notes.  Only a few people sang along to Roger's introduction just like when you hear it on the Paris album/
Compact Disc.  To see Robert and Roger play the last few notes together is priceless.

21)    A Forest

There's nothing like hearing this song live folks.  Honestly everyone, I'm definitely NOT trying to sugar coat
this even one bit.  This song is like over 20 years old AND it still ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You may like to hear this
on your CD player. But....come back to me when you actually see the song in person.  It's what being a Cure
fan...okay one of them...is all about.  It's a great song to conclude the night with even I have to admit it.  It's just
when I hear the first few notes, I know my Cure experience will end soon in a bittersweet moment.

Well that's it everyone. This review took me almost two hours to write it all down!!!  It was time went spent!!!
Like I've said in my last review, PLEASE attempt to see The Cure perform.  I know they will be around for
awhile signing a three record deal.  But, don't let that be your excuse to not see them right now!!!  For those of
you here in the States, you have more than ample time to start saying right NOW for the concerts in the
summer.  as for me, I look forward to seeing some of you at the Washington D.C. show.  I booked my flight on
Friday and all I can say is let The Cure madness start building all back up again until the show on the 22nd.
Wow, can you beleive that will be the 26th time I will be seeing my favorite group live?  From start to finish, my
entire Coachella experience...first time that is...was specta cular.  The food was! above average and I met a few
more Cure fans like Al, Ben and Tracy.  Thanks for playing poker with me to pass the time waiting for The Cure
to play.  And to everyone who's reading this on the Chainofflowers site thank you for letting me tell you about
The Cure show.

- Marc Subia
 
 
 

It's almost 5 AM and i just got back from a looong drive from Coachella to Pasadena where I'm staying at my
girlfriend's father's place.  I must go to bed, but i want to comment on the setlist first.  a full report will follow
tomorrow!  I'm almost positive the first song was "Lost".  Makes sense as it's the first one on the new album.
The end of the song had Robert wailing "I can't find myself...I can't find myself... I lost myself in someone else."
(Again, makes sense that it's "Lost").  Great song.  At first I wasn't sure... didn't have that awesome opener
vibe to it like say, "Want" or "Open", but it builds and it grew on me quickly.

The next new song did indeed include many lyrics about the "happiest day" and "happiest night".  I think the
song was about holding on to a happy day from the distant past as it is all that remains from a disintegrated
relationship.

Robert had problems with his accoustic guitar during "Inbetween Days".  It was turning on and off during the
opening part of the song.  He kept shruging and looking at a roadie.  It was fixed before he got to the lyrics.

The final song of the main set was definitely "The Promise".  The song ended with Robert yelling over and
over again "You promised me!  You promised me!"

all in all a great show.  very singles heavy (EVERY single off of disintegration!), but what can you expect from
a festival show.

more later.  got to go to bed!

- Charlie Todd
 
 
 

Well, I was up front at the Cochella Show. I stayed in the same spot from once the gates opened till The Cure
came on. Once to, and The Cure was about to perform, the enginers had trouble putting everything together
and it seemed to have taken Forever for The Cure to finally come out, maybe at least 30 mins. Finally things
were set to go! and here comes Robert around the corner, Crowd going completely nuts. This was it. The
moment everyone was waiting for. One thing that I noticed is that I got a negative feeling from the begining of
their perfromance. They didnt seem quite happy to be playing. Not untill a couple of songs later Robert seemed
to get all happy and was soon doing his witty boyish expressions that the crowd drools over, especially the girls.
I noticed the sound was pretty terrible. Not loud at all. And then Robert went up to the amp, something was
wrong! I saw him say "Fucking Bitch!"   a setting was off and they tried to fix it fast. After a couple of more
songs I noticed that a string on his acustic which was waiting to be played snapped and broke. So they took it
to the back to fix. And then Robert begun to play 100 years and then a String broke on his Electric in the middle
of the song!  gladly, he was able to finish the song off pretty smoothly ,and there was another extra electric guitar
for him to switch to. They took a little break and Robert came out on stage, not with water this time, but beer :) .
Things got way better towards the end, and the band finished with A Forest. Be sure to pick up Cochella 2004 on
DVD, coming out soon.

- Shane
 
 
 

Well, it was an interesting show.  I am now at work having driven through the night (actually Mike drove... but
whatever, I still had to stay awake to make sure we didn't die) straight back to my office so I could get to work
on time.  Despite my exhaustion, I wanted to get my thoughts in while they're still fresh in my mind.

I'll keep this short since I'm sure other people have plenty to say. First of all, I enjoyed the new songs.  It was
great that they chose to start the set with a new track.  I like the fact that they feel free to do what they want,
even with a festival crowd.  I was really looking forward to some new tracks and I was not disappointed.

There were some "typical" festival sound glitches.  I don't know if it's just me, but it never sounds like they
have Perry's guitar turned up enough at these things?  Also a frustrated Robert fixing his own amp on Push.
Another interesting occurrence: at one point during 100 Years, it looked like Perry was going to run backstage
to get help for Robert's broken string.  Instead, Robert did an awesome job of improvising.  It was quite an
interesting version of "Years" given the fact that it was missing the trademark bend that we all know and love.
I was impressed.

Robert seemed unusually animated last night.  It was nice to see him enjoying himself so much.  The best part
of the night was the encore set.  Everything pulled together nicely on a fun and vibrant Lovecats and the always
amazing Play for Today.  I can't wait for this summer.

- David Lossing