The Cure unleashed a masterclass of music at Poland's Open'er Festival last night, delivering a 2.5-hour headline set that had the crowd in raptures. Robert Smith and co. took fans on a thrilling journey through their iconic discography, unearthing rare gems alongside fan-favourite anthems.
One of the highlights was the inclusion of 'Treasure', a deep cut from 1996's 'Wild Mood Swings' that rarely gets an airing live. Smith introduced it with his trademark enthusiasm, saying "we don't often play this one", and it sent shivers down the spines of those in attendance. The chamber rock ballad, inspired by Christina Rosetti's poem 'Remember', was just the beginning of a trip through their back catalogue, including fan-pleasers like 'Trust' and 'Charlotte Sometimes'. Even the rain couldn't dampen spirits when 'Prayers For Rain' kicked in – talk about poetic timing!
The band's setlist was a masterclass in mood and era, showcasing their incredible musical evolution over the years. From lighter pop moments like 'Push', 'In Between Days', and 'Just Like Heaven' to proto-goth anthems like 'Play For Today' and 'A Forest', The Cure took fans on a wild ride through their most beloved songs. And just when you thought it was all over, they closed out with an unforgettable encore of 'The Walk', 'The Lovecats', and 'Friday I'm In Love'.
But that wasn't the only news from Robert Smith's camp – the maestro has been keeping busy on multiple fronts. Not only is there a new Cure album on the way (following 2024's 'Songs For A Lost World'), but he's also working on another "poppy" record, because who doesn't want more of that? Oh, and did we mention his collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo on her track 'What's Wrong With Me'? Smith even made an appearance at her Glastonbury 2025 headline slot – that's what I call a dream team-up!
And if all this wasn't enough, Robert Smith has lent his distinctive sound to The Rolling Stones' upcoming album, 'Foreign Tongues', contributing guitar and synth to no less than two tracks. Talk about cross-generational cool – it just goes to show that Smith's influence knows no bounds!