It’s the Grooviest Thing, It’s a Perfect Dream – Curiosa Rolls Into New Yor – By Robert J. Ricci

Supporting what is arguably their finest release since 1989’s Disintegration, reluctant Goth-icons The Cure recently brought their Curiosa Festival to New York’s Randall’s Island.

It’s the Grooviest Thing, It’s a Perfect Dream – Curiosa Rolls Into New Yor

By Robert J. Ricci

 

 

 

 

Supporting what is arguably their finest release since 1989’s Disintegration, reluctant Goth-icons The Cure recently brought their Curiosa Festival to New York’s Randall’s Island. Despite the sweltering heat, crowds gathered early to catch a slew of acts bound not by clever marketing, but by what Cure frontman Robert Smith has described as "fantastic emotional charge, enthusiasm and passion."

From the second of two stages, Reading sextet, The Coopler Temple Clause, kicked off the day-long event followed by a blistering main-stage assault courtesy of Scotsmen Mogwai. Auf Der Maur, Thursday and Muse picked up where TCTC left off, while The Rapture and local heroes Interpol warmed things up for the evening’s headliner.

Twenty-six years after their inception (and five years after declaring Bloodflowers their final farewell), the Cure appear to have returned to their musical roots, a fact underscored by set opener "Lost". In typical fashion, Smith kept to himself for much of the set, stepping bashfully away from the microphone whenever permissible. Occasional "Thank You’s" emerged from the enveloping fog as large video screen flashed alternating abstractions. Bassist Simon Gallup led the charge, while guitarist Perry Bamonte, keyboardist Roger O’Donnell and drummer Jason Miller rallied through two hours of career-spanning gloom. "Lovesong", "In between Days", "Just Like Heaven" and "Pictures of You" pleased the mainstream crowd, while encores "M", "Play for Today", "A Forest", "10:15 Saturday Night" and "Boys Don’t Cry" sated the die-hards.

As the most enduring band to emerge from the early 80’s post-punk scene, The Cure’s melancholy sound, driven by Smith’s crackly vocals and layered leads, continues to impact the modern Indie world. That the elder statesmen hand-picked the lineup for this tour should come as no surprise. According to bassist Simon Gallup, each of the bands on the Curiosa bill had not only shown interest in The Cure, but in a "certain unity of spirit" as well. That feeling not only fuels this outing but also drives ticket sales in a summer where so many others have failed.