THE CULT: Choice of Weapon Tour 2012

The Casino Ballroom

Hampton Beach, NH

June 9, 2012

As the lights went down in the Casino Ballroom the cover from The Cult's latest CD, Choice of Weapon was projected onto the film screens on either side of the stage. In the darkness, sounds of tribal beats and chanting surrounded you. When the drumming stopped The Cult took the stage and we were off...running like a pack of wolves through the night stopping just long enough to do a chorus howl.

With opening acts, The Icarus Line and Against Me! raising the crowds’ energy into a splendid fervour, it was The Cult’s frenetic pace and intense, fiery spirit that sent the wild audience over the rock-n-roll edge.

Kicking the night off with an old fan favourite, Lil’ Devil, The Cult segued right into one of their newest, fist-pumping songs, Honey from a Knife. Switching gears they then played the beautiful, and artfully timeless, Rain. It was full steam ahead when they torpedoed into another amazing song from the new CD, Choice of Weapon, entitled Lucifer.

“I'm a wolf child, girl Howlin' for you. Wild flower You're the star of my dreams Most beautiful thing Wild flower.”  ~ Lyrics from Wild Flower

The set-list for the evening was a great mixture of new songs sprinkled in with the old and, with the next few songs, brought die-hard fans back through time as The Cult rifled through their musical repertoire, making their choice of weapon – music - and pushing play.

From the ever popular Fire Woman to the howling Wildflower and energizing Spiritwalker, Astbury and crew were ablaze. The ballroom was an inferno of intense energy as unchained forces between band and audience permeated the air.

Like Aladdin riding on a magical carpet, Ian was front and center dancing and holding court upon his multi-colored Indian rug; and instead of holding a lamp, he held a tambourine, which he shook so hard the cymbals flew off like silver birds fluttering overhead. Chris Wyse was amped up - very exuberant and smiling like the Cheshire cat with a story to tell. Mike Dimkitch was having a good ol time and interacted with Chris constantly. John Tempesta was a mad-man on the drums getting the crowd going and in the groove. Billy Duffy was on fire, sizzling on the guitar - relaxed yet tight. This band line-up works well together and it shows in the candor they have on-stage.

"It rained flowers when the music began Love all around when the music is loud. Every day, nirvana. Always this way, yeah, yeah, yeah" ~ Lyrics from Nirvana

The Cult came and conquered. The band had nothing to prove and all the more to gain from the love of their fans that came out on a warm summer evening to hear their music.  Within the lyrics there is innocence, beauty, purpose; a message within a message within a story. Behind and within the music there is intensity, glory, power, edge; sounds from a place around, beside and within the core. Music is the choice. It's omnipresent and universal, it has soul, fire, mystique, passion, power...it is, The Cult.

The Cult continues their tribal dance through North America until August 19, 2012. If you get a chance to go see them…I will say one word: GO!!!

~ A Fan Story ~



Nobody left disappointed or empty-handed. John Tempesta threw out drum sticks and Ian Astbury tossed tambourines to the wild audience; making one attendee, an 18 yr-old named Tahlia Jacques, exquisitely happy. Ian saw her give up her tambourine to the woman behind her. With hand gestures Ian said he would give her another one when the next song was over. Ian kept his promise and rewarded her by walking to where she stood, leaning out and over the stage then handed Miss Jacques a tambourine.



After the show she met Billy Duffy and John Tempesta who signed the tambourine for her.  It made the night memorable and special to her, as this was her first ever rock concert and it was to see The Cult. Miss Jacques cut her teeth listening to The Cult music, as her mom is a big fan.  Now she is part of the next generation of Cult fans dancing to the tribal beat and loving it.

The Cult - Band Members 2012

Ian Astbury - vocals and percussion
Billy Duffy - lead guitar
Mike Dimkich - rhythm guitar

Chris Wyse - bass guitar

John Tempesta - drums

Set List from Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton, NH 2012

Lil’ Devil

Honey from a Knife

Rain

Lucifer

Nirvana

Embers

Fire Woman

The Wolf

Wildflower

Phoenix

For the Animals

Spirit Walker

She Sells Sanctuary

        ~ ~  Encore  ~ ~

Rise (added - not on original set-list)

Love Removal Machine

Photographs taken by the author:  S. A. Hussey  to see more visit:  Author's Facebook Page

Visit the band website at:  http://www.the-cult.com/

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