Concert Reports
The Cult
Patriarchy
09/27/2024, Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
The Cult’s 40th anniversary tour, which kicked off in July with the band’s first wave of European dates, before heading to Canada, and back to the band’s native U.K., sees an early preview of the soon-to-be-announced 2025 U.S. tour with select Western U.S. dates, which included Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, September 27.
All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks
TheCult.us
The Cult hold a significant place in musical history due to their pioneering use of post-punk, hard rock, and experimentalism, pushing boundaries and influencing countless bands across multiple genres. With their musical prowess, uncompromising attitude and captivating stage presence, they forged a distinct identity while charting new territory for bands to explore. From Billy Duffy’s formative, and influential, years in the Manchester underground, to Ian Astbury’s groundbreaking Gathering of the Tribes, the duo has left an indelible mark on modern music, shaping its trajectory in profound ways.
Hitting the stage with “In The Clouds” a heavy track that set the tone for the evening saw the band begin with their no nonsense approach to performing, which is give the fans the music with energy & minimal talking. Vocalist Ian Astbury commands the stage while his partner Billy Duffy shows his veteran skills on guitar. Veteran Drummer John Tempesta and Bassist Charlie Jones held down the rhythm section.
Opening the show was Patriarchy, a band lead by infamous LA songwriter and director Actually Huizenga, probing the soft underbelly of sex, power, subversion, and death - existing where desire and fear inevitably intertwine.
Never shy about confronting the audience with visceral, somewhat unsettling live performances, Patriarchy marries the NSFW carnage with sounds spanning infectious electronic dance, crushing industrial metal, and suffocating experimental noise.
UK rock legends The Cult recently unveiled a 40th anniversary reissue of their 1984 debut album Dreamtime as they continue to celebrate and acknowledge the early days of the band.
The Cult’s latest, Under The Midnight Sun, was released Oct. 11, 2022
The LP was inspired by frontman Ian Astbury’s experience at the Provinssirock festival in Finland, held at a location so far north that during the summer the sun doesn’t set.
"It’s three in the morning, the sun’s up, and there’s all these beautiful people in this halcyon moment,” Astbury explained via press release. “People are laying on the grass, making out, drinking, smoking. There were rows of flowers at the front of the stage from the performances earlier that evening. It was an incredible moment.”
The constant core of THE CULT is the "head and heart" of the band, Astbury and Duffy. Attitude incarnate, the chemistry between these two vastly different artists — equal parts genuine affection and palpable tension — remains the source of their long-standing partnership. Duffy grounds Astbury's esoteric side with a hard rock perspective, and there is no doubt that at all times, these two have each other's back. THE CULT's current lineup also includes former WHITE ZOMBIE, EXODUS and TESTAMENT drummer John Tempesta, and Charlie Jones on Bass. In the mid to late 1980’s the band released some of rocks most classic albums including Love (1985) , Electric (1987) and Sonic Temple (1989).
About Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.
The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here
www.VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com