The Cult turn in an electrifying ‘Electric 13’ set at ACL Live.
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The Cult’s ACL Live gig started on a tense note. Opening band White Hill’s meandering psych-rock went over like a lead balloon. The crowd wasn’t having it (although a drunk middle-aged dude kept yelling for the female bassist to “take off your top!” Classy.)
After The Cult took the stage, with Wildflower, singer Ian Astbury went on a rant about their previous show in Houston; I read something that made me angry. A review where someone was complaining (assuming a nerdy voice) that “he doesn’t sing like he did on the album”! It’s a live show y’know. Sometimes I forget the words. So f–k Houston!’
That album would be Electric, the band’s 1987 transition from ethereal goth to swaggering cock rock. And hence the tour’s Electric 13 title, the band ripped through the record in its entirety (almost).
Click here to read Albums Revisited: The Cult’s Electric
An excision was their cover of Born To Be Wild. Astbury said Rick Rubin made us do it in a pouty tone, making it clear he wasn’t fond of the song.
In its place was fan favorite Zap City, originally recorded for the album Peace, who’s flowery goth sound was aborted in favor of Rubin’s stripped-down approach; it’s been reissued along with Electric as Electric Peace, which you can order on Amazon:
[amazon_image id=”B00CZAYOWI” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Electric Peace[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B00EKN2BE6″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]The Cult: Electric Peace 2LP[/amazon_image]
After hearing Ian’s rant, it struck me funny, because before the band went on, several folks around me were commenting on their annoyance that Ian often doesn’t stick to the script.
I’ve now seen the band 10 times, and it just dawned on me about this idiosyncrasy. It makes singing along to the band’s tunes a solitary affair at times, with his dropping in and out of the mix, and often changing the cadence in the lyrics.
But so what? Every Cult show should feature at least one Astbury blow-up, and he remains a quirky unpredictable presence. At least he had the good humor to mock his rock star temper tantrum later in the set. But it was interesting, how his vocals improved while singing newer material. Perhaps he’s just grown tired with singing older songs, and changes it up to keep it interesting.
Guitarist Billy Duffy was all smiles though, ripping through all the requisite solos with ease and aplomb. He seemed energized by the crowd, chuckling while watching a middle age dude lose his goddamn mind up in the rafters.
VIEW CONCERT GALLERY (ALL PHOTOS BY SLIS):
Standout tracks from the Electric set included King Contrary Man, Electric Ocean and hit Love Removal Machine.
Afterwards the band played a variety of other material, including tunes off 2012 release Choice of Weapon, Sonic Temple (Fire Woman was a curious exclusion), and Love. She Sells Sanctuary got the crowd into a frenzy. The set concluded with a rousing rendition of Spiritwalker, a tune from the band’s début album Dreamtime.
The band’s rhythm section of drummer John Tempesta and Chris Wyse kept a solid foundation (Wyse also contributed nice backing vocals to fill in the spaces vacated by Astbury).
And for 80’s goth fans, there was an extra treat; Gene Loves Jezebel guitarist James Stevensonassumed rhythm guitar duties.
The crowd left sweaty, beaming and euphorically exhausted. An Electric night indeed.
Electric 13 Set List:
Wildflower
Peace Dog
Lil’ Devil
Aphrodisiac Jacket
Electric Ocean
Bad Fun
King Contrary Man
Love Removal Machine
Zap City (subbed for Born To Be Wild)
Outlaw
Memphis Hip Shake
2nd Set:
Rain
Honey From A Knife
Sweet Soul Sister
Lucifer
Embers
The Phoenix
Rise
She Sells Sanctuary
ENCORE:
Nirvana
Sun King
Spirit Walker
[…] Click here for my Concert Review of the Austin ACL Live […]
[…] Earlier this week I got a chance to see The Cult at ACL live in Austin. They performed their breakthrough album Electric in is entirety to a packed house (click here for my review.) […]
[…] Click here for my review of The Cult’s Electric 13 Austin show, which featured Stevenson on rh… […]
[…] Cult (who Stevenson is currently touring with) they were shedding their goth skin for more universal appeal. But GLJ never got too heavy. […]
[…] lyrics to date. But it failed to excite fans or critics. But it’s every bit as good as Electric or Love. So give it a listen. It deserves […]