Robert Smith's Meltdown Festival wrapped up in London tonight with Smith himself taking the stage for the final headline set. In the weeks leading up to tonight's show Smith said he wasn't sure what he'd play or who he'd be playing with, but hinted that it might include special guests. The show was promoted on the Meltdown site as:
"Curator Robert Smith closes the 25th Meltdown festival with an exclusive show at Royal Festival Hall, with support from The Twilight Sad.
He is joined onstage by four of his curious friends – and other, imaginary accompanists – to perform special interpretations based on a very particular selection of songs he has sung throughout the years."
As it turns out, Smith's "curious friends" and "imaginary accompanists" turned out to be The Cure's current touring lineup, with no guest appearances. None of that mattered though because the show, billed as Curaetion 25 - There To Here and Back Again certainly did not seem to disappoint fans.
The Cure showcased their incredible discography by playing songs from every Cure album over a span of two sets. Starting with their debut album, they played one song off each album in chronological order (There To Here), then for the second set, they went Back Again, playing a second song from each album in succession. The new/unreleased songs The Cure debuted on tour in 2016 ("It Can Never Be The Same" and "Step Into The Light") were included and closed/opened the sets.
For the most part The Cure played classics ("Sinking"! "A Strange Day"! "Disintegration"!) but avoided playing too many "hits" and/or songs they're likely saving for their Hyde Park show in July. FYI: in case you were wondering, it seems Robert Smith proved to be a tease by NOT playing "The Same Deep Water As You." Maybe he's saving it for Hyde Park?
View video, pictures, and setlist via Chain Of Flowers and The Cure Mexico. Post will be updated with more video when available.
UPDATE: The full show is now available to view below
Robert Smith was magnificent tonight at @meltdownfest ... amazing set - two songs from each album, finishing with Boys Don’t Cry ... #TheCure pic.twitter.com/mYRHH6ec2F— Kevin Cummins (@KCMANC) June 24, 2018
#RobertSmith & @jeremyWulc— The Cure México (@TheCureMexico) June 24, 2018
24.06.2018 #CURAETION25 #TheCure @thecure#40ImaginaryYears pic.twitter.com/Vzfelhasm5
@meltdownfest @southbankcentre @RobertSmith #fender #jazzmaster #royalfestivalhall @CraigatCoF @thecure pic.twitter.com/G04fHYGpk8— (ṭһєjoнnмalloy) (@john_malloy) June 24, 2018
@thecure set tonight at @meltdownfest festival was inspired by my favourite book - The Hobbit. Both were called "There and Back Again" and both of them were amazing... pic.twitter.com/1BoSK9cyhV— thomas mason (@nuclearmaso) June 24, 2018
Genius dark back & forward set from @thecure @RobertSmith’s @meltdownfest @southbankcentre congratulations to all involved with the festival pic.twitter.com/rUADwNK9i8— Ride - The Network (@RideTheNetwork) June 24, 2018
What a night. pic.twitter.com/EsaT4aUhJz— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) June 24, 2018
Set 1 - There To Here
Three Imaginary Boys
At Night
Other Voices
A Strange Day
Bananafishbones
A Night Like This
Like Cockatoos
Pictures Of You
High
Jupiter Crash
39
Us Or Them
It's Over
It Can Never Be The Same
Set 2 - Back Again
Step Into The Light
The Hungry Ghost
alt.end
The Last Day Of Summer
Want
From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea
Disintegration
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Sinking
Shake Dog Shake
One Hundred Years
Primary
A Forest
Boys Don't Cry
Published June 24th, 2018