The Cure Captivates in Saint Paul

The Cure returned to Minnesota for the first time since 2016, bringing their ‘Shows of a Lost World’ tour to the Xcel Energy Center. Touring alongside Scottish group The Twilight Sad, fans settled in for a night of atmospheric music.

The preshow music for the night was the sounds of a rain storm. As the lights dimmed, Robert Smith and company came out to a haze of smoke and strobe lights. What followed was a three hour long set chronicling the legendary group’s greatest hits and deep cuts.

Comparing the group to other acts from the 70s and 80s who are still touring, it is incredibly clear that The Cure is the best sounding legacy group out there. Smith’s stage presence and bold vocals, backed by expert musicianship, prove why they can still sell out arenas.

Clad in a Prince shirt, Smith felt right at home in Minnesota. He never tired during the three hour set, nor did the audience, who was almost in a trance throughout. Sincerely, The Cure was one of the most captivating bands I’ve ever seen live.

Honestly speaking, I wasn’t too familiar with The Cure’s offerings outside of their hits like “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Friday I’m In Love”. My first real experience with the group was when Smith was featured on “How Not To Drown” by Scottish synthpop group CHVRCHES, my favorite band.

While I am on the topic of other moments I’ve been connected to The Cure, I also recommend checking out this beautiful cover of “Boys Don’t Cry” by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me.

The Twilight Sad. Photography by Dylan Novacek.

Funny enough, the opening act also has a connection to my favorite band CHVRCHES. The Twilight Sad, also a Scottish group, previously had Martin from CHVRCHES in their lineup.

I seriously loved The Twilight Sad. They were the perfect pick for this tour. Their vibe and energy fit the night perfectly. I highly recommend giving them a listen.

With 40 years of history, Smith and company continue to tour as a gift to their fans. This show felt like a labor of love, rather than a nostalgic cashout. This became even more evident when Smith spoke out against Ticketmaster’s predatory pricing models and business practices.

I never thought I’d be able to add such an iconic group to my list of artists I’ve done photos of. It felt like an honor to be so close to this legendary group. Considering how rarely they come to Minnesota, and how old the band is, this might be my only time ever seeing them live. If that’s the case, it felt like a worthwhile experience.