The Cult – Usher Hall – Edinburgh – Scotland – 24th Oct 2024

Another late addition to this year’s gig list happened to be the 40th Anniversary of The Cult. A bucket list gig for me as they’re a band I’ve always wanted to see but there was always something else going on at the same time.

It’s been 2 years since The Cult were in Scotland but 15 years since they last played in Edinburgh. Although there was an hour’s wait between the end of the support act and the start of The Cult. It took a little while for the audience to get warmed up again, but once they did, the party kicked off big style.

The setlist was virtually a greatest hits run-through (except Lil Devil which was absent from the set. But you can’t always get what you want). However, we did get the classics Wild Flower, Resurrection Joe, Sweet Soul Sister (which included an interlude of the Manic Street Preachers’ track Motorcycle Emptiness), and a gorgeous acoustic rendition of Edie (Ciao baby) with just Billy and Ian on stage.

Billy Duffy is one hell of a guitarist and should be included on many a guitar hero’ list—a master of controlled feedback and searing lead work. Mix that with the powerhouse vocals of Ian Astbury it’s no wonder these guys have been a mainstay for 4 decades. They were everything I expected and a whole lot more.

I’ve left the show feeling a little bit mutton due to the volume of the show along with a sore throat from singing. (I say singing, more caterwauling.)

To hear Spiritwalker, Rain, Love Removal Machine, In The Clouds, and the set closer She Sells Sanctuary in a live setting and performed well by one of the greatest goth rock bands of all time was bliss.

The front-of-house sound was incredible. The snap of the snare and the thud of the kick drum was earth-shattering and the cleanliness of the bass tone was captivating.

Although it’s taken me a long time to see The Cult perform live they exceeded my expectations and played a killer show.  Would I watch them again? In a heartbeat. They were superb.

Stand out moment? Nothing for me but the fan who caught Ian Astbury’s tambourine has got one hell of a souvenir and a cool story to tell. Nice catch