The Cure brought their iconic moody, atmospheric sound to Blackweir Fields on the hottest day of the year.
as temperatures climbed above 30°C across Cardiff, The Cure somehow made Blackweir Fields feel like the emotional centre of the universe. Robert Smith even acknowledged the surreal conditions while also joking how he should have learned more Welsh as he's married into a Welsh family.
Opening with the majestic swell of 'Plainsong' The Cure immediately transformed the sprawling riverside venue into something intimate. The shimmering keyboards rolled across the field before Smith's unmistakable voice emerged, sounding remarkably strong and expressive. 'Pictures of You' followed, prompting the first communal singalong of the night, while 'High' and 'A Night Like This' reminded everyone just how effortlessly the band move between dream-pop elegance and post-punk urgency.
But the band didn't stick with just their greatest hits, we also got 'Secrets' and rarely heard 'Treasure' which fans went absolutely crazy for. 'The Last Day of Summer' carried particular emotional weight beneath an unbroken blue sky, its wistful beauty made all the more affecting by the extraordinary weather.
By the time "Prayers for Rain" arrived, the irony wasn't lost on anyone. Introduced during one of Wales' hottest recorded June days, the song felt almost playful in context, yet maintained its emotionally devastating and atmospheric feel.
The Encore was pure celebration as we got 'Lullaby' 'The Lovecats' 'Friday I'm in Love' and ended with 'Boys Don't Cry' which by the closing chorus the crowd echoed out the sounds of the band.
All in all, The night was as beautiful as I could have imagined. The Cure will forever hold a special place in my heart, to then put that in a stunning setting such as blackweir and incredible weather conditions, this will be a memory I talk about for a long time.
To put it simply, The Cure demonstrated exactly why they are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and why they are the masters of atmosphere and emotion.