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Review by Warro.

Rocking goths return. May be a bit fatter.

With no support act tonight, it seemed like a long wait in the sweltering conditions of the (surprisingly) sold out Academy. Still, this was entertaining enough - peoplewatching at gigs is great, especially when there's likely to be a few goths crawl out into the night from under their rocks, all of them pretty happy as winter draws ever closer with the heaven of dark nights ahead.

The Cult finally emerged from beneath their rocks (Well the dressing room anyway) at 8:50 and promptly messed up the intro to 'Lil Devil' (no winners on 'guess the first song' tonight). Second attempt was great and this was swiftly followed by 'Sweet Soul Sister' from their stadium rock 'Sonic Temple' album from'89. 'The Electric Ocean' completed a triumphant opening trio. These days, The Cult consist of Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy (natch), with the addition of Ken on bass, Ken on drums and Ken on rhythmn guitar. Tonight, they were clearly not interested in doing a fans set - given that it's been 5 years since the release of their much underrated 'Beyond Good and Evil' album - Astbury and Duffy sensibly opted for caution and provided us with a greatest hits set, ringing out hit after hit after MFing hit. Early single from the Dreamtime album 'Spiritwalker', 'Revolution' and a most impressive 'Rain' competed with each other for the set's high point. Later, they slowed things down a little for a short acoustic set during which 'Edie Ciao Baby' showed its true majesty.

Astbury, looking like a goth chav, resplendant in a garish purple tracksuit top (yours to buy for the mighty sum of £50 from the merchandising stall!) is as self confident as ever. Never the best of vocalists, he more than makes up for this with his, ahem, oversized stage personality. At least it matches your waistline now Ian. Duffy, obviously still proud of his flowing locks, still thinks himself as more of a guitar hero than he actually is - although if I'd written 'Fire Woman', I think I'd be pretty cocky too...

Finishing the main set with 'Wild Flower' (it is AC/DC innit?) and a blistering 'Love Removal Machine' (featuring a snippet of I Feel Alright), a single song encore follwed. 'She Sells Sanctuary' is a great song - a truly great song. Almost an hour and a half ain't bad, but given the extensive back catalogue, a couple more songs wouldn't have gone amiss, but no real complaints. (Except afterwards with a broken ticket machine in the car park and the M6 being closed). Given the sold out, if rather restrained, audience, I doubt it'll be another 5 years before The Cult return to our shores. Download next year perhaps.............

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