Iconic British band The Cure launched their highly anticipated 2026 UK and Ireland headline tour in Cardiff on Wednesday, June 24th, delivering a memorable performance despite challenging weather conditions. The concert at Blackweir Fields coincided with the hottest day of the year, with Bute Park recording a historic June high of 33 degrees Celsius, according to BBC News.
Frontman Robert Smith, known for his distinctive gothic attire, led the band through a career-spanning set that delighted fans. The extensive setlist featured many of their biggest hits, including 'Lovesong', 'Lullaby', 'Close To Me', and 'Friday I’m In Love'. In a nod to the sweltering heat, the band also included tracks such as 'Hot Hot Hot!!!', 'Burn', and 'Prayers For Rain', providing an element of humour amidst the discomfort.
The atmosphere was electric, with many fans commending Smith's unwavering commitment to his signature all-black stage presence despite the heat. However, some concert-goers took to social media to express their struggles with the intense temperatures, with one video humorously depicting 'all the goths burning to a crisp in this heat'. Support acts for the Cardiff show were The Twilight Sad and The Joy Formidable, both personally selected by Smith, with The Twilight Sad acknowledging the heat in a post-show message to fans.
The Cardiff concert marks the beginning of a significant summer tour for The Cure, which will see them perform across various locations. Following their successful opening night, the band is set to play at Marlay Park in Dublin on June 26th, followed by a stop at Belsonic in Belfast on June 28th. Later in the summer, they will perform in Manchester as part of the Live From Wythenshawe Park series on August 21st, and at the Royal Highland Showgrounds in Edinburgh on August 23rd for the Edinburgh Summer Sessions. While no London dates have been officially announced, speculation is rife about a potential show at the Royal Albert Hall.
This tour comes shortly after Robert Smith's recent announcement that a new, 'dismal' album is 'done', serving as a follow-up to their 2024 record 'Songs Of A Lost World'. Additionally, Smith revealed that a separate, 'really poppy' and 'upbeat' album is also in the pipeline. He hinted that this third album might be perceived as influenced by his recent collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo, though he clarified it represents his 'idea of Cure Pop', albeit at a slower tempo than her work.
Source: NME