The Cult took over the Greek on a warm Sunday evening and left the raucous crowd either too tired to go in to work Monday morning or happy that they now work from home.
The band is touring to support the release of their 11th studio album, Under The Midnight Sun, which had only come out two days before the show. They played three cuts from the album, “A Cut Inside”, “Give Me Mercy” and “Mirror.” Those tunes fit in seamlessly, because even though The Cult has been genre-spanning, category-defying, and member-changing over the course of their career, one thing is for certain: If it’s Ian Astbury on vocals and Billy Duffy on guitar, The Cult is going to sound like The Cult.
Billy Duffy’s guitar rang out the entire evening, whether he was playing a Gibson or his trademark Gretsch White Falcon. He is a guitar hero, with sound, stance, and attitude that can’t be ignored.
And that’s just what’s needed to counter Ian Astbury. Part shaman, part dancing machine, all classic frontman, Astbury was in great voice on Sunday night. He mentioned many times how happy they were to be performing in “Los Angeleees” and the only thing that ever seemed to trouble him at certain points of the show were front aisle patrons that weren’t dancing enough. Astbury wanted the audience to move.
And honestly, it was hard not to. Whether it was shaking heads to Duffy’s riffs or swaying with Astbury, it was easy to see how The Cult had the audience in their hands. A special shout out here to the lighting. It was bright, well-timed and showcased the two Cult leaders as they should be: Rock stars.
As mentioned earlier, except for Astbury and Duffy, The Cult has had a revolving door of members. Currently with the band are Charlie Jones on bass, John Tempesta on drums, and Mike Mangan on Keyboards.
The Cult played hits like “Fire Woman”, “She Sells Sanctuary” and the finale, “Love Removal Machine” to perfection. They played the new stuff and integrated it seamlessly. This is The Cult’s first album and tour post-pandemic and they haven’t lost a step.
THE CULT SET LIST
Rise
Sun King
A Cut Inside
Sweet Soul Sister
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Give Me Mercy
Aphrodisiac Jacket
Wild Flower
Mirror
Fire Woman
Rain
She Sells Sanctuary
The Witch
Love Removal Machine
Photojournalist - Los Angeles
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