{"id":43440,"date":"2026-08-13T16:33:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43440"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:33:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:33:41","slug":"the-cure-plays-the-hits-robert-smith-tears-up-at-oya-fest-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43440","title":{"rendered":"The Cure Plays the Hits, Robert Smith Tears Up at \u00d8ya Fest: Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFor the first five minutes of <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/t\/the-cure\/\" id=\"auto-tag_the-cure\" data-tag=\"the-cure\">the Cure<\/a>\u2018s headlining set at \u00d8yafestivalen in Oslo, Norway, Robert Smith stared out at the packed crowd and smiled. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAs the band played the long, atmospheric introduction to \u201cAlone\u201d \u2014 the opening track of their great 2024 album \u201cSongs of a Lost World\u201d \u2014 Smith stood there positively beaming, hands clasped awkwardly in front of his usual all-black outfit. It\u2019s a marked change in disposition from the last time I saw the Cure perform at the <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2023\/music\/news\/the-cure-hollywood-bowl-concert-review-1235624290\/\">Hollywood Bowl in 2023<\/a>, as part of their first North American tour in seven years. That set, though transcendent, had an air of nervousness to it as the band debuted the songs that would become their 14th album. Smith also seemed to be grappling with his own mortality, delivering several monologues throughout the night about growing older and time slipping by. Now, the frontman seems to have embraced it \u2014 and having previously said the Cure would retire in 2029 timed to the band\u2019s 50th anniversary, he\u2019s making the most of the time they have left. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tOn Wednesday night in Oslo, that meant delivering a hit-filled, two-and-a-half hour set in which Smith\u2019s own whimsical spirit was on full display. After \u201cAlone,\u201d the show got off to a strong start with the 1989 classic \u201cPictures of You\u201d  \u2014 the perfect example of the Cure\u2019s happy music\/sad lyrics modus operandi \u2014 followed by a zany rendition of \u201cHigh\u201d (during which Smith delightfully mimed the \u201cbite my fingers through\u201d line) and the soul-touching \u201cLovesong,\u201d which got the crowd singing along. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tIt\u2019s the same four-strong stretch the Cure has been employing for most of their prolific festival run this summer, but afterwards the band found ways to switch it up, adding the pleasant surprise of \u201cAlt.End\u201d and \u201cThe Last Day of Summer\u201d from the early aughts. How Smith\u2019s voice still sounds the same it did in 1979 \u2014 velvety smooth and without a single crack, unless he wills it to happen \u2014 should really be studied. And the band \u2014 including bassist Simon Gallup, keyboardist Roger O\u2019Donnell, drummer Jason Cooper and guitarist Reeves Gabrels \u2014 is as tight as ever, as if they could play these songs in their sleep (at this point, they probably could). <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThough Smith seemed in high spirits, the set hit an emotional peak after \u201cIn Between Days\u201d and \u201cJust Like Heaven\u201d were played back to back. As the final notes of \u201cJust Like Heaven\u201d rang out, Smith took a moment to wipe tears from his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s strange, that song,\u201d he said to the crowd, his voice wobbling. \u201cEvery now and then, that last bit\u2026\u201d Smith trailed off, but again smiled. Perhaps they were happy tears. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCutting through the emotion, \u201cSeventeen Seconds\u201d tracks \u201cPlay for Today\u201d and \u201cA Forest\u201d provided a spotlight for the band to jam out, with Smith and Gallup standing back-to-back for a slowed-down intro to the latter that built to a satisfying groove. That momentum stayed through \u201cWish\u201d epic \u201cFrom the Edge of the Deep Green Sea,\u201d with Smith waving his hands around to accompany his devastating lyrics, ever the master storyteller. The set closed with \u201cEndsong,\u201d the final track of \u201cSongs of a Lost World,\u201d and the only other song from their new album the band would play. Hearing it mixed in with so many hits from over the years, it became clear just how cohesive the new record is with the rest of their discography \u2014 not an easy feat for a band that\u2019s been around for nearly half a century. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThough they then briefly went off stage, the set was far from over. The Cure proceeded to deliver a stacked 10-track encore, during which Smith really let loose. In \u201cLullaby,\u201d he performed as if the spider from the song was actually climbing up his body, ending the tune by pretending to eat it. During \u201cThe Lovecats,\u201d he pawed around and hissed, and \u201cClose to Me\u201d prompted him to leave his guitar behind and walk from one side of the stage to the other, hopping and dancing around like a goth fairy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tIntroducing the final track, Smith injected some humor: \u201cThis is a new song, it\u2019s called \u2018Boys Don\u2019t Cry.&#8217;\u201d His earlier display of emotion made the song\u2019s meaning hit even harder \u2014 and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tSee the full setlist below.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cAlone\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cPictures of You\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cHigh\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cLovesong\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBurn\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cFascination Street\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cNever Enough\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cAlt.end\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cPush\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cIn Between Days\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cJust Like Heaven\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cThe Last Day of Summer\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cA Night Like This\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cSecrets\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cPlay for Today\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cA Forest\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cFrom the Edge of the Deep Green Sea\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cEndsong\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tENCORE<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cLullaby\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cWrong Number\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cThe Walk\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cMint Car\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cThe Lovecats\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cLet\u2019s Go to Bed\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cFriday I\u2019m in Love\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cClose to Me\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cWhy Can\u2019t I Be You?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBoys Don\u2019t Cry\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For the first five minutes of the Cure\u2018s headlining set at \u00d8yafestivalen in Oslo, Norway, Robert Smith stared out at the packed crowd and smiled. As the band played the long, atmospheric introduction to \u201cAlone\u201d \u2014 the opening track of their great 2024 album \u201cSongs of a Lost World\u201d \u2014 Smith stood there positively beaming,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-cure-copy.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43440\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}