The Cult, Mayatrix & The Psychics @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 28/11/20024
Adelaide has been well and truly spoilt for choice with the number and quality of shows coming through town but there is a new contender with The Cult going to the top of the list. Wow! This was the show! It has been a while in between drinks but founding singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Charlie Jones (Goldfrapp, Page and Plant) are right at the peak of their powers bringing the 8424 tour to Adelaide. It was Thursday night, sold out, packed to the rafters… bring on the rock ‘n roll.
Mayatrix & The Psychics opened proceedings offering something a little different compared to the standard rock fair. Whilst not everyone’s cup of tea there was definitely something that held most people’s attention. A tough one to label and put in a box but what was striking was the rawness, theatrical flair and the psychedelic elements in their music. All eyes would have been on enigmatic singer and guitarist Moana Mayatrix who is carving out a distinct sound. Great opportunity for this Perth band to get in front of some new faces and off the back of new single Black Moon Medicine the future is full of possibilities.
Plenty of good time Thursday night energy in Hindley Street Music Hall in the build up to The Cult. Great to see plenty of classic t-shirts from yesteryear and previous tours that have still survived the rough and tumble of years of good wear. As we inched closer to show time the incense was lit and just after quarter past nine the band walked out to The Ride Of The Valkyries from Apocalypse Now. Combined with the sounds of helicopters it was a big theatrical build up and if that didn’t rev the crowd and band up, nothing will. Holy smokes, The Cult came bolting out the blocks with In The Clouds and Rise. The band were on! Seriously on! Looking and sounding fantastic I heard many say this show was right up there as one of their best in Adelaide.
Charismatic front man Ian Astbury was a whirlwind of energy commanding the stage, stellar vocals and gave his tambourine a hell of a workout. With a “good evening Adelaide” it was the music that did all the talking early with the likes of Wild Flower and Star to come. I think Astbury looked a little surprised by the energy of this crowd commenting that they were singing already suggesting he didn’t have to work but just have a “good time”. That’s the beauty of this venue of being right up close to the band even if you are up on the balcony.
The Witch was stellar as was Mirror which was written during the pandemic. There was another pearl of wisdom from Astbury saying “we’re just like you but up here”. That’s one for a t-shirt! War (The Process) was awesome and is great seeing Astbury revel in the adulation from the Adelaide fans directing them to keep it going. That sentiment kept going in Resurrection Joe but it was the charmer and slower number in Edie (Ciao Baby) that stood out.
From here the remainder of their elite set was full of turbo charged stadium rock bangers! Sweet Soul Sister, Lucifer, Fire Woman and Rain were incredible and confirmed very much so that this band was right at the top of their game. Throw in classics such as Rain and Spiritwalker you just about had everything you want as far as the set list goes. Even Astbury conceded that was “so fucking fast” with one song left adding “it’s disappointing but can you imagine doing this for forty years, can’t believe it that is still going pretty psychedelic”. Out of the kit bag they pull out another big one in Love Removal Machine. Woah! That was an epic way to finish their main set.
With a couple of tricks left they returned for an encore with Brother Wolf, Sister Moon topped off with the superb She Sells Sanctuary. The Cult conquered and were triumphant in Adelaide. Taking a moment to introduce the band and thank the crowd it was a moment of celebration, everyone knew what we had just experienced was brilliant.
Live Review By Rob Lyon