I would like to preface my concert review by giving an apology to no one for taking so long to write this up. I moved apartments the day after the show and had lots of time involved in that all weekend. Then between the journals being down and my own personal computer problems, I havent gotten around to writing this up until now. Here it is, one week late:
Me oh, my oh, what a nighto!!!! I scored a free ticket to Curiosa from a friend months ago (he got free summer passes to every show at a great amphitheatre here in Utah), and have since been ridiculously excited to see one of my favorite bands ever for the first time
We got to the venue about 10 mins after it had started (my buddy wanted to get something to eat, and he drove & got me the free ticket so I couldnt exactly complain!) Upon getting out of the car, I immediately heard MOGWAI playing! I was kinda bummed/ticked, becasue from what I'd read, they werent opening so I wasnt thinking I'd miss them. I still ended up getting to see them play for about 10 mins by the time we finally got in through the gates. No so surprisingly enough, they were playing the exact same song the entire time I heard/saw them play. They were good, just wish I could have seen them more.
We originally had grass seats, but upon entering found that we could upgrade to actual seats for only $10. We decided to go for it since we hadnt paid for the tickets in the first place, and it was totally worth the money. We actually sat in the same section we saw Radiohead in one year prior, but we were much more towards the front of the section this time.
By the time we got all settled in and ready, the next band was about to start up on the second stage. We rushed over and got about 25 feet away from the stage. Idiotically, we stood directly in front of the speakers and had our hearing assaulted by the band known as SCARLING (former singer of Jack Off Jill's new project). They were pretty good, but the highlight of their set was the while we were watching them play, I glanced over behind a fence and saw a bunch of roadies standing there doing nothing. A split second later I see a golf cart drive by them with no one other than the infamous Robert Smith sitting on the back in full make up and hair. For some reason, seeing him being escorted on a golf cart in full goth attire tickled my funny bone in the best of ways
At some point in time between them and the next band, I lost the pair of binoculars I had brought with me. Bummer
The next band on the main stage was THE RAPTURE. I'd heard very negative things about them, so I didnt know what to expect. I honestly have to say I was pleasantly surprised by their show. They dance around through out all the songs (sometimes in the manner known as 'jigs'), and you all I know I'm down for that! The highlight of their set was the song 'Olio', which I came home and immediately downloaded after the show.
The next band to play was THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE, who I was exited to see. We had rushed over to the second stage again, and this time we were about 15 feet from the stage, dead center. Their lead singer took the stage looking like he was either jet lagged or so strung out it was ridiculous. Regardless, they played an AMAZINGLY rocking set! I REALLY enjoyed it. I actually saw the lead singer look directly at me 2 or 3 times, I'm pretty sure it was because I was the only person there who knew some of their lyrics. Highlights were: 'New Toys', 'The Same Mistakes', and 'Promises, Promises'. On a related noite, I bought their album yesterday because of how good they were last week. I'm really digging it too.
I then virtually ran back to our seats to be prepared to see the opening band I was most excited about seeing, INTERPOL. They played a hefty amount of songs from the first album, and about 3 new ones. I loved every second of it. I was REALLY impressed with how great of a job they do getting the exact same tones and sounds as they have on the album. Honestly, their entire set was perfect. I really would like to see them play at one of their own shows now
Highlights of their set included: 'Untitled', 'Slow Hands', all the singles from the first album, and 'Leif Erikson'. I also really liked watching the only other guys I could see there who were rocking out and singing along to all the Interpol songs (like I was) blow off some drunk girl who thought she was being cute/funny by dancing in the middle of them. The look of rejection on her face when she walked back to her seat was PRICELESS.
Next was CURSIVE. I was also quite excited to see them, I'm a pretty big fan of their 'The Ugly Organ' album. There were a LOT more people over in the second stage area this time, and we were about 50 feet back from the stage. I still am QUITE surprised at how many people knew their lyrics and songs! I was thinking I was going to be alone again in singing along, but there were honestly dozens of people around me who knew their lyrics just as well if not better than I did. It was their first night on the Curiosa festival, and they really had a ton of energy. Their rocking songs were even more rocking live, but their slower/prettier songs were slightly less enjoyable live. They were still extremely good, and lots of people there seemed to really like their set too (the buddy I was with seemed to like them the most of all the support bands there at Curiosa). Highlights included: 'Some Red-Handed Sleight of Hand' and 'A Gentleman Caller'.
We then got back to our seats to prepare to witness this COMPLETELY AMAZING setlist:
Aug. 18th, 2004 - Salt Lake City, Ut. (Usana Amphitheatre):
Lost, Plainsong, Labyrinth, Fascination Street, The End of the World, Lovesong, Inbetween Days, Just Like Heaven, Pictures of You, Lullaby, Before Three, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, alt.end, Disintegration, 100 Years, The Promise
Encore 1: M, Play For Today, A Forest
Encore 2: Close to Me, The Lovecats, Boys Don't Cry.
Like I said about Interpol before, The Cure did an absolutely astounding job at pulling off the same tones and sounds they've done on the albums. I was completely blown away by how perfect every single song sounded. They had a screen set up behind the band, and played subtle imagery through every song (for example, a camera going through a forest during 'A Forest'). It was quite cool to watch, and really added to the atmospheric quality of the band's songs. I LOVED seeing the crowd stand through about 90% of the concert, and was almost blown away to see every single person in attendace dance through the ENTIRE second encore. It really says something about a band that they can make that many people dance after a 5 hr long day of music, very cool.
While their entire setlist was a highlight for me, songs that I really enjoyed were: 'Lost', 'Fascination Street', 'Pictures of You', 'Disintegration', 'Play For Today', 'A Forest', and 'Boys Dont Cry'. The HIGHLIGHT of HIGHLIGHTS though was '100 Years'. I've dug this song for a while now, but they just blew me away with it. It honestly couldnt have sounded any better to my ears.
Overall, I just have to say that I completely see why this band has lasted so long. (their first album came out in 1979, and they're still releasing great stuff) The thing that kept going through my mind through their set was that the only other time I'd ever seen a crowd so large so into the show was with U2. While I will admit to being a complete fanboy for The Cure, I just have to say in my biased opinion that their performance was incredibly perfect. In fact, it was just like heaven
