Eyeliner, lipstick and unruly hair will set the stage Oct. 10 at the Don Haskins Center when The Cure stops in El Paso for the first time.
The British alternative band’s Great Circle Tour is stopping in El Paso between stints headlining at the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL).
The group has been touring globally, recently completing their Latin American tour and on the tail-end of a new tour. The Great Circle Tour focuses on major music festivals with recent performances at the Fuji Rock Festival (Japan), Osheaga Festival (Montreal) and Lollapalooza (Chicago).
This marks a return to the U.S. with some of their first shows stateside since late 2011 and the first show in El Paso ever.
“They’re a legend, that’s why I want to see them,” said Eric Chavez, senior psychology major. “I’m pretty stoked. Just the fact that they’re here is great.”
The Cure, fronted by Robert Smith, has been performing a signature combination of goth, alternative and electronic music since the late 1970s.
The most recent incarnation of the band features the addition of Reeves Gabrels on guitar. Gabrels joined the band in 2012 and previously was a collaborator with David Bowie. Roger O’Donnell, keyboard, rejoined the band in 2011 after working on side projects including new wave band, Berlin.
For decades Simon Gallup and Jason Cooper have performed, respectively, drum and bass for The Cure.
The band will be coming from a show in Mexico at the Santander-sponsored Monterrey Arena.
After the El Paso show The Cure will return to ACL’s main stage. The band will then travel eastward to perform at the Voodoo Music and Art Experience (Voodoo Festival) in New Orleans, La.
The center of the Don Haskins arena will host a prominent general admission area that is standing room only. These seats were among the first to sell out.
Set-lists from other shows on this tour have included hits such as “Friday I’m in Love,” “Lovesong” and “Just like Heaven.” The eclectic mix of music has led to concerts lasting almost two hours with some concerts including as many as 25 individual songs.
The Cure has not released a new album since the Bestival Live record in 2011.
According to Ticketmaster, about 100 tickets remain unsold, leaving the only available spaces in the eaves of the seating chart.
Remaining tickets cost between $35 -$47, plus tax and fees.
Doors open at 8 p.m.
There is currently no announced opening act.
Tickets are still available at The University Ticket Office, ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
S. David Ramirez may be reached at [email protected].
