The iconic British rock band The Cure is set to perform at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on October 16, 2023 as part of their 2023 world tour. As one of the most influential alternative rock bands of all time, The Cure concerts are highly anticipated events that draw dedicated fans from all over. A big part of the live concert experience is the opening act. So who will have the honor of opening for The Cure at their upcoming Mansfield show?
The Twilight Sad Will Open for The Cure in Mansfield
It has been announced that Scottish indie rock band The Twilight Sad will be the opening act for The Cure on their full 2023 tour, including the October 16th date at the Xfinity Center. The Twilight Sad first opened for The Cure back in 2012, and the two bands have toured together a few times over the past decade, developing a close relationship.
As an opening act, The Twilight Sad delivers a set that complements The Cure’s headlining performance well. Their emotional, shoegaze-influenced sound builds up intensity in a way that primes the audience for the grand, moody spectacle that is a Cure concert. The Twilight Sad have released five studio albums since their 2007 debut, with their latest being 2022’s How To Measure Distance. Some of their most well-known songs include “There’s a Girl in the Corner,” “I Became a Prostitute,” and “And She Would Darken the Memory.”
Lead singer James Graham’s powerful, Ian Curtis-esque vocals paired with waves of guitars and synths make for an impactful opening set. Fans arriving early to the Xfinity Center on October 16th are in for a treat with The Twilight Sad taking the stage first. Their set will likely include new material along with old favorites, giving the audience a taste of their brooding Scottish style before The Cure takes over for the main event.
Background on The Twilight Sad
Here is some background on the acclaimed Scottish indie rockers:
- Formed in Kilsyth, Scotland in 2003
- Current lineup consists of James Graham (vocals), Andy MacFarlane (guitar), Brendan Smith (bass), Johnny Docherty (guitar), and Sebastien Schultz (drums)
- Signed to esteemed indie label FatCat Records in 2005
- Their 2007 debut album Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters received critical praise
- Have opened for bands like The Cure, Mogwai, The National, Foo Fighters
- Their fifth and most recent studio album is 2022’s How To Measure Distance
The Twilight Sad have built up an impressive body of work over the past two decades. Their experience opening for major acts like The Cure makes them an ideal choice to warm up the crowd in Mansfield. Fans of emotive, guitar-driven indie rock will find a lot to enjoy in The Twilight Sad’s opening set.
History of The Cure Tour Openers
While The Twilight Sad are locked in as the opener for The Cure’s 2023 tour dates, Robert Smith and company have invited a diverse range of up-and-coming and veteran bands to open for them over the decades. Looking back at some of The Cure’s past openers provides context on what they look for in a supporting act.
Past Openers on Major Tours
Tour | Year | Opening Act(s) |
---|---|---|
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Tour | 1987 | The Mighty Lemon Drops |
Prayer Tour | 1989 | Shelleyan Orphan Love and Rockets |
Wish Tour | 1992 | Cranes |
Dream Tour | 2000 | Bloodflowers 65 Days of Static |
4Tour | 2008 | 65 Days of Static The Gallows |
The Great Circle Tour | 2022 | The Twilight Sad |
Notable opening acts over the years have included influential shoegaze/dreampop band Lush, Scottish post-rockers Mogwai, cult indie rock favorites The Mighty Lemon Drops, and up-and-comers like 65 Days of Static. The Cure aim to expose their fans to new music and support smaller bands with their choice of openers.
Traits of Past Openers
Looking at the past bands that have opened for The Cure on tour, a few common traits emerge:
- Indie rock, post-punk, shoegaze, or dream pop sound
- Hailing from the UK music scene
- Emotive vocals and atmospherics
- Up-and-coming groups as well as veteran acts
- Bands whose sound complements The Cure’s vibe
The Twilight Sad check all these boxes, making them a seamless fit as openers for The Cure’s 2023 tour. Their brooding Scottish style effectively sets the mood for Robert Smith and co. to take the stage.
Setlist Expectations for The Twilight Sad
While the exact setlist has not been made public, fans can likely expect The Twilight Sad to play a 50-60 minute opening set featuring a career-spanning mix of songs from their catalog. Their set will focus on building atmosphere and energy to get the crowd hyped up for the main event.
Here is a predicted setlist along with selected audio/video clips:
Predicted Setlist
- “Cold Days from the Birdhouse” (audio)
- “I Became a Prostitute” (live video)
- “There’s a Girl in the Corner” (audio)
- “Last January” (live video)
- “Keep Yourself Warm” (audio)
- “And She Would Darken the Memory” (live video)
- “I’m Taking the Train Home” (audio)
- “That Summer, At Home, Had Become the Depth of Winter”
- “VTr” (live video)
Songs like “I Became a Prostitute,” “Keep Yourself Warm,” and “VTr” show off the band’s heavier, guitar-driven sound, while tracks like “There’s a Girl in the Corner” display their knack for melancholy melodies. Frontman James Graham’s vocals are a highlight as he belts out brooding lyrics in his Scottish brogue. Longtime fans will be pleased to hear early tracks like “Cold Days from the Birdhouse” as well as newer material. It will be an impactful set that pumps up the crowd for The Cure’s headlining performance.
Why The Twilight Sad Make a Great Opener for The Cure
There are a number of factors that make The Twilight Sad an excellent choice as The Cure’s opening band for their 2023 tour:
- Their music builds atmosphere and emotion in a way that sets the tone for The Cure’s moody, romantic sound
- The two bands have a close relationship from past touring experiences
- They are influenced by The Cure and complement their style well
- The Twilight Sad produce big, swirling guitar sounds that will sound great in an arena setting
- Their live performances are energetic, with frontman James Graham giving an impassioned vocal performance
- They are an established indie band with a strong critical reputation, yet are not so big that they would overshadow the headliner
The Twilight Sad first supported The Cure in 2012, with Robert Smith saying he chose them because he liked their melancholy sound. He has also praised their albums, calling their music “dark, dense, and claustrophobic.” Clearly the two groups share a musical kinship, making this pairing apt.
James Graham on Touring with The Cure
In an interview, The Twilight Sad singer James Graham discussed the experience of previously opening for The Cure:
“It was an unbelievable experience. As a band we’ve toured with some incredible groups over the years, but there’s no one quite like The Cure. They have just acquired legendary status for the impact their music has had on people. So many bands formed because of The Cure’s influence. To get the opportunity to play for their fans each night was really special. We’d stand at the side of the stage watching their sets – it was like a masterclass every night. And seeing how they’ve maintained such a devout fanbase decades into their career was really inspiring. We’ve learned a lot from them about sustaining creativity over time.”
This quote demonstrates the reverence and appreciation The Twilight Sad have for The Cure. They are excited to open for their musical heroes again in 2023.
What to Expect From The Cure’s Setlist and Performance
While the opening act is great, the main attraction for the October 16th concert at the Xfinity Center is undoubtedly The Cure. With Robert Smith leading the way, The Cure have amassed a deep catalogue of hits spanning over four decades. Fans will be anticipating which songs make the setlist and eagerly awaiting their favorites.
Songs Likely to be Played
Longtime fans know that predicting The Cure’s setlist can be tricky, since they have so many beloved songs to choose from and often mix up the selections from tour to tour. However, based on recent setlists there are certain staples that will almost surely be played:
- “Pictures of You”
- “Lovesong”
- “Just Like Heaven”
- “Friday I’m In Love”
- “Boys Don’t Cry”
- “Close To Me”
- “In Between Days”
- “The Walk”
- “Push”
- “A Forest”
Rotating in and out of the set will likely be deep cuts like “Play for Today,” “Burn,” “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea,” and more.
What Songs Would Fans Love to Hear
While fans will be thrilled with staples like “Lovesong” and “Just Like Heaven,” many are also hoping to hear live renditions of the following songs:
- “Pictures of You” (the band has not played this one live since 2016, so fans are craving it)
- “Lullaby” (last performed live in 2012)
- “The Figurehead” (last performed in 2016)
- “Prayers for Rain” (a Wish-era gem not played recently)
- “The Same Deep Water as You”
- “Untitled” (a rarity from The Top)
- “A Letter to Elise”
- “Charlotte Sometimes”
Hearing at least a couple of these deeper cuts sprinkled into the setlist would delight longtime Cure fans in attendance.
What to Expect from the Performance
Regardless of the specific setlist, fans can count on an epic, energy-filled performance from The Cure. Frontman Robert Smith remains a captivating, idiosyncratic presence onstage after all these years. Known for his crazy hair, smeared lipstick, and guitar wizardry, Smith is still the quintessential cult rock icon decades into his career. He has an uncanny ability to connect with audiences and transport them into the emotional world of the songs.
Founding member Simon Gallup continues to anchor the band on bass, playing off Smith for that distinctive Cure sound. Talented drummer Jason Cooper and keyboardist Roger O’Donnell round things out for a tight four-piece lineup. The Twilight Sad guitarist Johnny Docherty will also join them on tour as an auxiliary member.
Visually, fans can expect moody, Goth-tinged stage lighting with minimal production effects beyond the band’s imposing stack of amplifiers. It will be all about the music and the emotional ride the songs take the audience on. Epic guitar solos, smooth basslines, synthesized textures, and Robert Smith’s otherworldly voice coming together for a truly special concert experience that loyal fans will never forget.
The Cure Continue to Influence Music and Connect with Fans
Ever since their start as part of the UK post-punk scene in the late 70s alongside bands like Joy Division and Bauhaus, The Cure have carved out a unique place in rock music history. They took the raw energy of punk and infused it with atmospheric, emotionally introspective lyrics and soundscapes. Hits like “Boys Don’t Cry” and “A Forest” hinted at the melancholy magnificence that was to come in the 80s with albums like Faith, Pornography, and their masterwork The Head on the Door.
They solidified their legacy and expanded their fame with the more pop-oriented Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me and Disintegration, showcasing Robert Smith’s brilliant songwriting. Enigmatic frontman Smith has led the band through various lineup changes and sounds, from the synth-pop of The Top to the gloomily aggressive early records, to the return to moody guitar rock in the 2000s and beyond.
Through it all, The Cure have maintained a devoted, multi-generational fanbase drawn to their UNIQUE blend of catchy pop hooks, atmospheric guitar experimentation, and lovelorn lyrics exploring the darker recesses of the human psyche. Their influence can be felt across genres ranging from alternative rock to goth and emo. Bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, and The Weeknd have cited The Cure as musical inspirations.
Even after over 40 years, The Cure continue to sell out arenas worldwide, thanks to their extensive catalog of classics and enduring appeal. Their live shows balance fan favorites with unexpected deep cuts, creating an immersive experience for the hardcore fans who know every lyric. Robert Smith manages to put fresh energy into the older hits each time they are played live, making every Cure concert special.
While bands like The Twilight Sad adeptly set the mood, it is ultimately all about The Cure when they take the stage. The October 16th show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA promises to be another memorable night where Robert Smith and co. will remind fans new and old why they are considered one of the most impactful and beloved rock bands of the last fifty years.