---

Photos

---

 Reviews

I got to campus around 2:30 pm. I had to take a taxi to drop my stuff at the hotel and came back. There was no line at all yet, so I just wondered around campus a while. I found someone I knew from the Shrine show, so I hung out with him a bit. Then we went to the library. I found FRONT-ROW tickets online from atlas tickets for only $160. I couldn’t pass this up on the day of the show. I bought them quickly. Figuring I flew from Memphis, Tennessee (Where the Cure have NEVER EVER BEEN-FUTURE NOTE) it would be worth the $160 for the last show I was going to be at for a while. And it was. After staying in the library and walking around campus a bit more, I finally go to the venue. I buy a few things and head to my seat. There was no one in the front row for the longest. Until my new friend Marc came with one of his friends.  We chatted a while and got to become good friends. Then..  65DaysofStatic finally came on. I only like a couple songs of theirs, but they still put on a good set. I tried to get the security guard to have the keyboardist to get my cd autographed  but it didn’t work. Oh well. After more waiting…it was time for… THE CURE. Everyone was going crazy when they came out.
They came out and opened with Plainsong. That was different from Underneath the Stars like the previous nights. It was really good. The setlist has already been posted so I won’t get into too much detail. The Blood was really good, as with to wish impossible things. Also noteables were The Perfect Boy, The Baby Screams, and disintegration. The encore was one of the best. Robert had gotten a little bit drunk( a lot really) but it was all in good fun.
Of course this was all good. I really loved hearing lovecats, killing an arab, and why can’t I be you?
The show was fantastic. Robert threw the mic and the crowd and eventually wanted it back. They seem to be having a good time. The crowd was ok. It could have been better. Front row was amazing though. Afterwards, two dudes got into a fight over a drumstick. The fight got BRUTAL. The security had to come and break it up. The guy eventually got the drumstick. I don’t think that it was worth getting into a fight over though. Who knows what would have happened if I got a setlist? People were fighting over those as well. The Cure were amazing and it was the greatest high school graduation gift  to let me travel to California to see them. If I could, I would do it all over again.

- Craig W.


To wish impossible things. Finally my last stop in the 4 Tour. After the 3 shows in Mexico in 2007 and 2008  Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, Shrine in LA I finished mu cure experience at Cox Arena in San Diego. Venue full, the band happy but not like in Shrine. I think they were some kind of tired cause they cancelled the cure after party in the concert. Brillant to hear to wish impossible things, the fantastic the blood and baby screams. Simon Gallup went 3 times to see and give some kisses to his family pictures. He kissed his kids in baby screams and looked his pictures in pictures of you and his wife in never never never let me go she said. At the begining robert asked for a little more volume in his mic. He had real plans the make and exteded raaaaiiiinnnn... robert drinking in a red glass, jason drinking corona beer and simon corona and red bull. This time the kiss beetwen porl and simon comes in why can't I be you!! Fantastic old school encore and weird to hear it like encore 1. The crowd went crazy and finally dancing the whole venue with 10:15, killing, and encore 2 with close, lovecats, let's go to bed. I good oportunity to see roberts eyes while he is singing and dancing this pop songs. Great keybord effects in robert's guitar. For me maybe lovecats, baby screams and close to me sound a little empty without keyboards. This band is great. Amazing to have fun with fans from mexico, italy, and memphis. Robert screw the starting of sleep when I am dead. Good amount of hands in the sky but I took a picture and sadly not the first rows that means than real fans don't get the best tix ever. Shit happens!  I got a side view tix and before concert a upgrade my ticket with a scalper of nearest lower level section row2!! Nice view!!! I realized some kind of spinning lights over every cure member and in other songs reflecting the spinning pics to the crowd.. This was my 16th cure concert and finally I got the tears in my eyes in To wish impossible things!! I couldn't stop crying the whole song and first part of pics of you. I love the cure music, robert's love poetry, long intros and beautifull and emotional melodies. I love this band and I'll follow until the end of the world!

- Marvin Lagunas


Thought I’d throw in my 2-cents on this show and the other Southern California concerts:

Contrary to one concert-goer’s review, I thought the San Diego show sounded great for being in an arena.  Cox Arena actually has excellent acoustics.  I have been to MUCH worse-sounding venues (San Diego Sports Arena and Long Beach Arena are absolutely horrible).  I also attended
the Santa Barbara, Hollywood Bowl, Shrine Auditorium shows – and they all sounded great.  I was right up front in the pit at Santa Barbara, so that would have been the “worst” sounding, but that is normal when you’re right up against the stage – and the absolute best sound was probably a tie between Hollywood Bowl and The Shrine.  Also, I think the San Diego show audience was actually really high energy – at least where I was on the floor.  Sure there were lots of teenie-boppers and jocks that knew only Just Like Heaven and the hits, but that is pretty typical.  Anyway, I had a great time with my wife at the show and I was extremely happy to hear some rarities: The Blood, To Wish Impossible Things and The Baby Screams…and a LOOOOOONG “rain” in Prayers for Rain!

In summary I really think I though ALL four shows were incredible!!! 
Sure, Robert blew the lyrics on a song or two at each show, but he almost always does. : )  I didn’t really miss the keyboards like I thought I would – Porl really kicks ass with his playing!

- Simon


Let me put it simply: San Diego WINS.

I have to start by complimenting the fans. Y'all looked like you were going to a Cure show. I've been kinda bummed out by the bluejeans-and-T-shirt uniform that seems to be taking over US shows of late, so the spirit on display in SD was a refreshing change. I felt like I was back in the mid-90s in a good way. Second, y'all danced with abandon, again a refreshing change from the sit-and-listen crowds that have become the bane of my concertgoing experiences on the east coast. Go, you. Third, y'all sang loudly to EVERYTHING. In short, you rule. I hope to catch every show the Cure plays in your town, 6-hour-by-air commute be damned.

Cox Arena was also excellent. Pretty small as far as arenas go--I can't imagine there was a bad seat in the house. Civilized prices at the concessions. Outdoor smoking areas, which kept people from sneaking smokes in the venue. So Cox Arena wins, too.

But the biggest win of the night? The band, of course. This is the Cure I fell in love with, the reason I will be paying off my overextended-due-to-Cure-related-frivolity credit cards until I'm 92. This was, hands down, the best show I've seen since the Dream Tour
(excluding Trilogy, cuz nothing will ever compare to that). They sound better and better as a four , and the new songs are coming together well. This was my first Sleep When I'm Dead night, and I liked it. Overall, I thought the setlist was great--I didn't sit down ONCE for the entire show. The Plainsong opening will never get old. I shiver and cry every single time I see it. It's just...transcendent.

I had a great view of Porl this time around and discovered that he actually plays these 3-hour shows in BRUTALLY high black vinyl platform heels. Holy crap! And I had a much better view of his very cool tats as well. I didn't see any of the sick-Robert shows, but I'm happy to report that his voice--and his energy--is BACK. I haven't seen him dance with such zeal (not to mention a wide grin) in a very long time.

Thank you to San Diego, Cox Arena, and, of course, the Cure, for making that the best birthday of my entire life. You rock my world.

- Angel


Tonight's Cure concert at The Cox Arena in San Diego, California was one of the best shows I've seen in the 34 times I've seen The Cure from 1985-2008.  I originally had 6th row seats.  I happened to check Craigslist out of curiosity too see if there were any AAA floor seats for sale.  Luckily, there was a listing!!!  I called the number of a local ticket agency close to my house.  Front row for $225!!!  The guy remembered me from buying Cure tickets for the other shows and said, "This seat is the cheapest one you've bought so far!"  I bought the ticket of course and the rest as they say is history.  Now for my review of the concert.

Around 8:26pm, I could hear the familiar introduction to Plainsong.  Simon walks over the photos on his amp and kisses them lovingly.  Porl's guitar playing is amazing...which doesn't adequately describe how talented he really is!!!  I'm soo glad he's back in the group.  And you gotta love his black platform Kisslike boots as well!!! 

During Prayers For Rain, I noticed Porl's heart on his right hand and the birds on his guitar.  I was sitting on his side for the first time this tour.  During the show, I'd see something I haven't noticed before and scribble down little tidbits of details like that for myself and The Cure fans to enjoy.  I love air drumming to Jason's drum parts.  Robert's voice sounded great...even during the high notes.  The day off between The Shrine concert and tonight's show did him some good.  

Before A Night Like This starts, Porl got his guitar from the roadie and kissed it.  It was one of the better versions I've heard in quite some time.  For the first time, I didn't miss the keyboards.  They were THAT good tonight.  Love how Simon does his usual jab step and bounces around on his side!!!  I was singing the last "Hey hey hey hey hey hey" part of the song with my close friend Carrie and a guy named Craig who just graduated high School from Minnesota and was following The Cure as his graduation present.  He saw the Hollywood Bowl and The Shrine concerts as well. 

During The Walk, Robert puts both of his hands on his face like the video during the Japanese baby part of the song.  Like how there was a picture of the cover on the screen.  Porl's guitar parts during the song were dead good. 

The End Of The World was cool too.  Liked how the drawings from the single were holding hands at the end of the song.

During Lovesong, I noticed Simon almost playing his guitar on the ground as if he was doing a Chuck Berry impersonation.  It's amazing how one song can remind you of a time way back when...if only for a second.  But as this flight attendant told me on the way to the Salt Lake City Cure concert last week, "Things happen as they are supposed to be."  And he was right.

When I heard, To Wish Impossible Things, I was shocked.  Didn't think The Cure would play that song.  Gosh, weren't the Wish concerts amazing???  I should have seen more of those shows than the three times I saw them back in 1992!!!

Pictures Of You.  I liked how Robert and Simon stand by one another and play during the first part of the song.  Did Robert "mess up" on the lyrics?  Or, was that my imagination???  He could sing anything and I would love the song even more.  Didn't bother me one bit!!!  Simon walked up to the two pictures and drawing as he played his bass guitar during the song.  I can only imagine how much he misses his family???  I don't know how he or the entire band does it.  I would be terrible homesick.  Sorry for The Cure pun.

During Lullaby, Porl smiles at me.  People I know and the people I've talked to at the shows, think he looks alittle scary.  I absolutely think it's rather cool myself.  Not too many people could pull off that look.  I know I couldn't in a million years.  Like I was telling you before, gotta love those black boots!!!

Fascination Street got a big crowd reaction.  I get soo sky high during that song.  But EVERY Cure song does that for me!!!  Robert didn't do the "Cut the conversation" move.  But, I did :)))))

FTEOTDGS is  one of two Cure songs I look forward every time I go see a concert.  100 years is the other song in case you're wondering.  Simon hunches down and practically drags his bass as he's playing.  I had a good vantage point and could see Porl, Robert, and Simon.  Too bad Jason gets lost in the shuffle behind those drums.

During The Perfect Boy, Simon gleefully skips and jumps around enthusiasticaly.  I noticed 3 girls who had their arms around each other and were swaying to the music in the stands (stage left).  I like looking around at the crowd and see what they are doing during the songs every now and then.

Hot Hot Hot and The Only One were good.  Not some of my favorite songs to hear live.  I just wished I knew the words to the new song.

The Blood took me back to the 1985 Cure show at The Open Air Amphitheater which is located at the same campus (SDSU) where tonight's concert was.  Too bad I only saw the San Diego show that year ;(((

Sleep When I'm Dead is a song I look forward to playing in my car and at home regularly.  If the song is any indication of the upcoming album, I will be an incredibly happy Cure fan!!!  Liked how Robert said that's the first time we've played that song live.  Didn't I hear that song at the Red Rocks or Salt Lake City shows last week and he said the exact same thing.  Mental note to myself, must read my review of those shows on this site!!!

Noticed Porl has a white number "7" and "13" on his guitar strap.  Wonder what those numbers mean?  Enquiring Cure fans would like to know.  Okay, I would like to know.

Robert did his "Ha, ha, ha." thing with his finger as Carrie smiled at me like I was some crazy fanatical Cure fan.  Priceless!!!  She chickled again at me during Just Like Heaven when Robert clenches his right fist during the "daylight" part of the song just like in the video.  Hey, you notice these things when you are up close.  I love doing Robert's moves during the concert.

When The Cure played Primary, I was totally caught off guard.  I think the last time I heard that song was during The Kissing Tour in 1987!!!  Almost forgot the words to that song since it's not a regular one on the setlist.

The combination of Shake Dog Shake, The Baby Screams, and 100 Years were magnificent.  Kudos to Robert Smith for choosing three incredible songs.  My night was almost complete when I heard 100 Years.  More about that later in my review.  There was this girl dancing about as wildly as I was to the left of me.  We were all over the place dancing to that song.  She accidently caught me with an elbow to the head.  But, it was my fault for moving around so much.  As the late Chick Hearn once said, "No harm.  No foul.  No Blood.  No ambulance!!!"  By the way, I miss him and hearing his description of the Laker games on the radio.

When Carrie heard Disintegration, she nearly XO#% a brick!!!  It's one of her (and mine too!!!) favorite songs.  Gotta love when Robert lifts his left hand during the "Just let go my party piece" part of the song. 

The "old school encore" of Boy's Don't Cry, Jumping someone else's train, Grinding halt, 10:15 Saturday Night, and Killing an Arab made Carrie turn towards me and say, "Wow!!!"  Have to go to the toy store and get a toy train for the Phoenix show tomorrow night before my flight tomorrow afternoon.  Like how the video of the train tracks was playing on the screen behing them.

The Lovecats was even good tonight.  The crowd liked it and so did I. 

Robert said "Just wait until 7" during Let's go to bed."

Liked how Robert was dancing like a zombie to Freak Show.  It's never ceases to amaze me how the crowd reacts when he does even the slightest move.  It was cool to see Carrie wave to Porl during the song as well.  Was it my imagination or did Simon throw his bass down after the song???

During Close To Me, Robert threw and extra microphone into the crowd.  This guy picked it up and only did the "OOOOO" parts and didn't sing hardly any other parts of the song.  Robert would dance around hoping the guy would sing at least a couple lines...but he didn't!!!  Robert, Porl, and even the roadies were laughing.  Too funny. 

WCIBY was cool as Robert came over to our side and sang the last couple lines to us.  It was a very special night for us.  I've been wanting to go to a Cure concert with Carrie for what seems like forever.  To see Robert singing on our side was a priceless moment that I hope she'll never forget. 

As The Cure were walking through the tunnel towards the stage, the people were taking pictures of them.  I could see the flash from their cameras.  I would have been doing that too.  Oh yeah, hey Craig from Minnesota...don't forget to email me the pictures of the show.  I'd love to see the picture you took of us during the show as well as the one I took of you as well.

During Play For Today, I was singing with this girl from Mexico just like the version on Paris.  I noticed a few more people and even Craig was singing like that part too.

When I heard A Forest, Craig and I both knew the concert was almost over.  This is another song which I look forward to hearing live as well.  Forgot to mention that earlier. 

There was a huge fight when a roadie gave Jason's drumsticks to the crowd.  People were pushing and shoving just to get them.  A bunch of people were huddled together wrestling for a keepsake from the concert.  They ended up falling over the chairs which created a rather loud crash.  I was lucky enough to get the prized San Diego setlist...even if it was the soundboard's.  A huge thanks to Carrie and some determination on my part.  Didn't think I would ever get one from my home town!!!  But the streak ends at 34 Cure shows everyone. Finafrickingly!!!!!  I must thank the roadie who jumped off the stage, came down, and handed a setlist to Carrie and then to me.  A big gigantico shout out to Carrie for giving me the first part of the setlist after the show!!!  I got the encores.  Don't know exactly where I'm going to put them!?!?  I'll have to rearrange The Cure room once again.

That was one of the best Cure shows I've ever seen.  Having Carrie up there in the front row made it special.  Seeing her take pictures and some video with her phone was funny to see.  I guess she forgot that taking video would make tonight more memorable.  During one of the encores, I remember raising my arms up like I was Rocky Balboa, looking out at the crowd in the stands to the left of me (stage right), and gave some high fives to a couple people.  Oh, and before the show, I love hearing fellow Cure fans tell me this is either their first or second time they are seeing The Cure live.  I always telling them how jealous I am.  After 34 Cure shows, I sometimes find myself forgetting what a wondering experience it must be seeing The Cure for the very first time.  I really should be lucky  just to go to ONE show...let alone the 4 that I will be seeing this year.  Hope your graduation present was everything you imagined it to be Craig.  It reminded me when my parents helped me get tickets for the San Francisco and Los Angeles Kissing Tour 1987 concerts and even though it wasn't a graduation present, it was still a cool present.  Craig, don't forget to email me and keep in touch buddy!!!  I even saw a few people I used to know in the stands.  I wonder if they saw me jumping up and down during the show???  It's almost 2am and I must get some sleep.  Have to get up at 5:30 am and pack for the Phoenix Cure concert, email this review before I go, and see The Cure tonight in the front row.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.  I'll be proudly wearing my Kissing Tour shirt.  One last Cure concert to go;(((((  As always, one last special thank you goes out to Craig from Chainofflowers for letting me post my review of the San Diego Cox Arena Cure concert.  Good night everyone and see you in Phoenix!!!!!!

- Marc Subra


The Cure rocks, of course.  But have you ever had that concert experience where the only thing you like about what you're doing there is the band?
Here's the biggest problem - the acoustics at Cox Arena are bad.  I suspected as much when I got there and saw how huge the place was.  It's built for sports games.  Concerts should be held elsewhere. 
The setlist was predictable.  In all fairness if this had been the only Cure show I'd gone to I would have been thrilled about the song choices, but after 4 shows there was nothing there that hadn't been played elsewhere and there were no surprises. 
The crowd was clueless.  Let's get right to the punchline.  After the last song the house lights stayed off for a really long time while a group of die-hard fans on the floor cheered and cheered.  The band totally WOULD have come back on and played some more if the crowd persisted.  But during and directly after the last song half of the crowd bolted for the exits like they had something way more pressing to do at that particular moment.
Then there was the audience itself.  Oh boy.  I hope I don't insult anyone from San Diego, but everyone I ran into was plastic to the core.  At first I was outside drinking bad white wine and there was a group of ugly drunk people nearby who engaged me in this stupid trailer-park drunktalk.  I guess what's-her-name who's face looked like a road map of bad health works for an adult swingers club and does phone sex work, she told me while leaning all over me.  Together we started flirting with this very very attractive dude standing next to us and I thought, OK this is stupid but it's kind of fun.  Cut to me going down to find my seat.  The fat man on my right was here chaperoning his kids.  When I said hello he grunted at me.  The person on my other side showed up and introduced herself by saying "Yeah you're in my seat."  And I said "Oh right, sorry."  and moved over to the next seat which was identical in every way to her s eat.  So basically I! was wedged between Grumpy Dad and the Ice Woman.  Then "Lilith" turns to me and snaps  "So I guess when the show starts the aisles are going to fill up with people."  I just shrugged.  I suppose this was her attempt at socializing with me.  I'm not sure.
OK so I could really go on and on about how much I hate San Diego and considering the fact I was born and raised here I think I have that right, but I'm finished now.  The crowd did warm up to the band and did some consistant good cheering which brought 3 encores.  Towards the end, during the pop encore Robert was either in a really good mood, ad libbing words, mumbling, screaming lyrics, or he was being sarcastic.  I have to give him credit though and believe he was enjoying himself.  The band was, as usual, absolutely stellar.  But let me offer some concert-going advice:  Never go to a concert at Cox Arena.  In fact, ditch San Diego altogether and drive to Los Angeles.  It's worth the two hour drive.  This is how the California Cure tour rates from best to worst:
1. LA  2. San Jose  3. Santa Barbara  4. San Diego

- Paul