The Cure - Wembley Arena 23rd/24th July 1989

Wowsers. It was baking hot in London and The Cure were coming to the end of their Prayer Tour to promote the Disintegration album. The record itself was hugely atmospheric and dark - a huge commercial and critical success, written during Robert Smith's depression at turning 30. Mixed to be played loud the songs really filled Wembley's cavernous space - The first band I had seen at the venue to do that. The first night was fantastic and would have pleased the neutrals and complete Cure fanatics. I fell somewhere between the two but went to the concert with Lawrence - a total Robert Smith clone with the back combed hair and black uniform (he was certainly not alone)and his girlfriend. Pulling the best tracks from Disintegration, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me and Head on the Door the main set was outstanding - that they came back for 3 encores with 12 tracks from their early material was the icing on the cake. Highlights included Robert's howl of anguish that seemed to last forever on Prayers For Rain and the lights being turned up on Boys Don't Cry watching the whole of the arena dancing for all they were worth - a true 'hairs on the arms standing up' moment.
We were ecstatic and immediately set about trying to get some tickets for the last night (24th) - amazingly we got some returns and did it all again. The final night of the tour was even better with an additional encore bringing the entire gig to nearly 4 hours - we went home sweaty, broke and very happy.

Mainset 23rd:
plainsong
pictures of you
closedown
piggy in the mirror
a night like this
just like heaven
catch
last dance
fascination street
cold
charlotte sometimes
the walk
a forest
inbetween days
the same deep water as you
prayers for rain
disintegration
Encore 1:
lullaby
close to me
let's go to bed
why can't i be you

Encore 2:
the holy hour
a strange day
the figurehead

Encore 3:
play for today
three imaginary boys
boys don't cry
10.15 saturday night
killing an arab

Mainset 24th:
plainsong
pictures of you
closedown
piggy in the mirror
catch
a night like this
just like heaven
last dance
fascination street
primary
the drowning man
lovesong
charlotte sometimes
the walk
a forest
inbetween days
the same deep water as you
prayers for rain
disintegration
Encore 1:
lullaby
close to me
let's go to bed
why can't i be you

Encore 2:
shake dog shake
siamese twins
one hundred years

Encore 3:
homesick
untitled
faith

Encore 4:
m
three imaginary boys
fire in cairo
boys don't cry
10.15 saturday night
killing an arab

The Waterboys - Brighton Centre March 22nd 1989

A trip to the seaside and the memory of Kilburn made the build up an exciting one. Although with hindsight, after the immense performance at Kilburn a month earlier, this could only disappoint. As a standalone gig it was still well above average - the band on top of their game - but overall a not quite full venue and lacklustre crowd contributed to a good but not great evening out. The band still seemed to enjoy it, kicking of footballs into the crowd at the end and throwing in a great cover of Dylan's Rainy Day Women 12 & 35 (Everybody Must Get Stoned) during the encore.

Strange Boat
Fisherman's Blues
Medicine Bow
Twa' Recruitin' Sergeants
The Good Ship Sirius
Has Anybody Here Seen Hank ?
Old England
Sweet Thing */ This Is The Sea
And A Bang On The Ear
Mr Customs Man
Jimmy Hickey's Waltz
When Will We Be Married? *
When Ye Go Away
Be My Enemy
Savage Earth Heart / The Pan Within / Je t'aime */ Higherbound
A Pagan Place
Meet Me At The Station *
Happy Birthday Jay Dee Daugherty
The Whole Of The Moon
________
Follow The Fellow Who Fiddles
On My Way To Heaven
________
Somebody Might Wave Back
Rainy Day Women Nos 12 & 35 (Everybody Must Get Stoned)