Being a die hard Cure fan, we've come to expect movement from the band about every 4 years. It is the same with other bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. Needless to say, for a while over in Cure camp, as I like to call it, it has just been way too quiet for way too long. With the exception of a collaboration between Robert and Crystal Castles for the song "I'm Not In Love" set to release next week, and a few charity items Robert has donated, there has been no talk of a new album or live shows. I just found out today that guitarist Port Thompson who rejoined the group in 2005 left the band last year, or was let go, a slight of information that could cost me my VIP status with the band (if such a thing existed).
So with today's BIG, and by BIG I mean HUGE GINORMOUSLY EXCITING FANTABULOUSNESS news that Robert and Co. will take the stage as the Saturday headlining act for the 4-day festival in Isle of Wright called "Bestival", a few of us are little excited to say the least. It is being billed as the Cure's "only European festival show in 2011" according to RSX himself but festival organizers have touted the appearance as the band's "only European show in 2011" causing Cureheads around the world to salivate and rejoice hoping that the words spoken by Robert are true and that they will play "other" shows in 2011 in addition to this "festival" billing.
Cure fansites were set ablaze today with this news and everyone speculating what will happen next. The show doesn't even happen until next September, but those that are fortunate to live near the UK, have some lovely spare change in their pockets or both have already purchased their tickets for this undoubtedly wonderful experience. The rest of us are left only with dreams of what will hopefully flourish from this appearance. And since no one knows for sure who is still left in the band, besides Robert and most likely bassist Simon, fans are wondering if former members keyboardist Roger O'Donnell and guitarist Perry Bamonte will return to the fold. Seeing as how no relationship is truly over when it comes to Robert, except for his with Lol Tolhurst, it is easy for us Cure fans to start saying, "Oh, I hope this one returns or that one is on this album".
And speaking of albums, we've been hearing about this long awaited follow up to 2008's 4:13 Dream for a while now as it has been said to be the "dark" album Disintegration and Pornography lovers have been long hoping would finally bring the band back to their darker, melodic guiatar driven roots. Will this spawn such an album? Seeing as how RSX has more than 200 songs in his library, I doubt he's just been sitting idly on his hands not writing any new material. The man is a lyrical genius, even if you don't enjoy newer songs like "The Perfect Boy" or "Freakshow", he still manages to create beautiful masterpieces like "Underneath the Stars" and "Anniversary". There still is plenty of greatness left in Robert's 51 year old brain.
So, the next 10 months will certainly be full of fans' speculations as to what to expect from this "only European show" of 2011 and where it will lead. The biggest problem about being a Curehead, along with having any other addiction, is that we can't wait to get our fix again. With the Cure, it's another album and another tour and then we have to wait again. Well, we're encroaching on that 4 year mark and RSX has emerged from the dark caverns of England with such wonderful news. Christmas has come early for Cure fans across the globe!
