The Cure ignited the Romanian night sky with a blistering two-hour set at Electric Castle Festival, leaving behind a trail of euphoric memories for the devoted crowd. On 19 July 2026, the legendary British band brought their inimitable energy to the stage, delivering a masterful performance that not only showcased their most iconic hits but also delved into the depths of their illustrious discography.
The festival's grand finale was a testament to The Cure's enduring appeal, with frontman Robert Smith leading the charge through a meticulously curated setlist. Alongside timeless anthems like 'Pictures Of You', 'Fascination Street', and 'Just Like Heaven', the band served up rare gems such as 'Secrets' (from 1980's 'Seventeen Seconds') and 'alt.end' (from their 2004 self-titled album), which has recently been re-introduced to their live repertoire.
The setlist was a lovingly crafted blend of fan favourites and deeper cuts, with significant segments dedicated to seminal albums like 1985's 'The Head On The Door' ('A Night Like This', 'In Between Days', and 'Push') and 1989's 'Disintegration' ('Lovesong' and 'Lullaby'). As the night wore on, The Cure built towards a thunderous climax, closing with an unforgettable barrage of hits that left the crowd electrified – 'The Lovecats', 'Friday I’m In Love', and 'Boys Don’t Cry' brought the house down in a riot of sound and colour.
Beyond their Electric Castle appearance, Robert Smith has been keeping busy in the studio, collaborating with fellow artists and working on new material. The Cure have recently wrapped up a follow-up to their 2024 album 'Songs For A Lost World', while also tackling a separate, more pop-oriented project. Additionally, Smith's distinctive sound can be heard on The Rolling Stones' latest release, 'Foreign Tongues', where he lends his guitar prowess to 'Divine Intervention' and provides synth and backing vocals for 'Never Wanna Lose You'.
The festival's final day also featured impressive performances from Irish band Just Mustard and Dogstar – the latter featuring Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves – although British indie-rock duo Wet Leg were forced to withdraw due to illness. Meanwhile, Robert Smith has been making waves in the music world with his collaboration with American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo on 'What’s Wrong With Me', following a memorable appearance during her Glastonbury 2025 headline set.