The Cure: Anniversary 1978-2018 proves they’ve still got what it takes

In July 1978 around 65 people showed up to a small Sussex pub to watch a three-piece band play their first ever gig. Exactly 40 years later an estimated 65,000 people showed up in Hyde Park to watch that same band perform. And a doco on that performance is worth a watch.

A scene from the concert documentary film The Cure: Anniversary 1978-2018 Live in Hyde Park London. A Trafalgar release.

In July 1978, an estimated 65 people showed up at a small Sussex pub known as The Rocket to watch a new three-piece band play their first-ever gig.

Exactly 40 years later in Hyde Park, London, an estimated 65,000 people showed up to catch the same band perform a concert in celebration of this significant anniversary.

Nobody back in the early days of The Cure would have marked down this solitary bunch of young outsiders as being in it for the long haul.

While lead singer-guitarist and chief songwriter Robert Smith is the last original (and only constant) member of the line-up, The Cure’s massive following around the world has never wavered in their devotion.

The Cure playing live in Hyde Park in London.

Therefore the new concert doco The Cure: Anniversary 1978-2018 is sure to be lapped up by fans who can’t get enough of their goth pop-rock idols in full flight.

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Though the movie is little more than a standard, multi-camera capture of the band’s Hyde Park triumph, it is the sheer quality and consistent intensity The Cure pump into their performance that truly impresses.

The extended length of the Hyde Park show, which clocked in at well over two hours, leaves plenty of room for both all the big hits and a fair smattering of deep cuts (including a brilliant encore which ends with The Cure’s iconic early singles).

THE CURE: ANNIVERSARY 1978-2018 (G)

Director: Tim Pope (The Crow: City of Angels)

Starring: Robert Smith.

Rating: ***1/2

They’ve still goth what it takes

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