Festival Hall filled up quickly just prior to The Cult hitting the stage. Long-time fans were excited about remembering the good ol’ days, with newer fans hearing a lot of these songs live for the first time. The Cult’s Electric 13 Australian tour has had a quieter build up than expected for an international band playing their most iconic album from 1987, Electric, in its entirety. Well, all the songs they wrote on the album anyway.
Vocalist Ian Astbury came out with his typical Morrison like swagger, dressed in black, hair slicked back and wearing aviators with his neck surrounded by a fur collar. As soon as they kicked into the legendary Wildflower, it was obvious that guitarist Billy Duffy has still got it, although he seems to have lost his bottle of peroxide. Unfortunately what was also obvious was that Astbury sounded tired from the get-go, maybe from touring, maybe not; leaving out words, sometimes singing out of time and not being able to reach his upper register. It’s a shame when albums held in such high regard are toured years later and they just don’t reach their mark. With the original members of the band were Chris Wyse (bass), John Tempesta (drums) and touring member James Stevenson (rhythm guitar). When they could be heard they sounded pretty tight and spot on; unfortunately Astbury’s PA was too loud and sounded like it was on its way out and Duffy’s guitar was overpowering the rest of the band. Don’t get me wrong, those solos are still pure genius and were nailed each and every time, yet the ‘Ian and Billy’ show overshadowed all else, and although extremely capable musicians, the rest of the band seemed to be seen as insignificant. Highlights of the set, as expected were the three singles from Electric: Love Removal Machine, Lil’ Devil and Wildflower, as well as from the mixed set spanning their career in the second set with Sweet Soul Sister, Sun King and She Sells Sanctuary which also got the biggest reaction of the night.
BY MATT MURRAY
Loved: Aphrodisiac Jacket
Hated: Mixing
Drank: Bourbon & Coke
