The Cure 1999

10/19/1999 - VH1 - Hard Rock - New York, NY (USA)

(photo submitted by - Laura Marie Boykin)

My Cure Diary

Wow-what a wild experience. It all started Oct. 16, 1999 at 11:30am. I borded a plane from Albuquerque, New Mexico and headed for New Yok City to see The CURE- no tickets just a promise.

Arrived in NYC Sat. night-traveld to the Bronx to stay with a friend of a friend. No furniture in the apartment-that didn't matter it was a free place to stay.

Woke up Sunday morning and headed for the Bronx Zoo-great place. Then off to Times Square. Sunday night called Nadine and Craig and finalized plans for meeting on Monday to pick up the tickets at the Sony Music Studio. Met Craig and Nadine at the Sony Music Studio at 12:35pm. We went in did some magic and came out with VIP tickets!!! I spent the rest of the day sightseeing in NYC. I also spent the late night dreaming of the concert that was to take place the next day. The funniest dream was The Cure and Sara McLauglin on the same stage!!

Anyway,- woke up Tuesday-the day of the show, put on my new dress, wish necklace, and sandals!!. I headed off to meet Craig and Nadine at their hotel at 2pm. We walked to the Sony Studio expecting to see lots of fans-so such sight. There were about 20 people scattered around the street not doing much but looking. We consulted our inside source and were told to come back at 4pm. We walked down the street (10th street) to Blimpie's. We hung out there for about 40 minutes which seemed like hours! 4pm rolled around and we made our way back down 10th street to 53rd avenue. We were told to line up there. We hung out there for another 30-40 minutes. We were then escorted to the VIP line (on 53rd by the "tent") and there we waited-oh we waited. It was very cold waiting out there. While waiting we observed lots of confusion. Radio winners were being sent to the end of the general admissions line (those people had no chance of being admitted), VH1 ticket holders being told to go home and lots of other people turned away.

I don't remember how long we stood in the VIP line but I think it was about an hour. While waiting in line we heard parts of the sound check-Fascination Street, Club America, and Just Like Heaven. By 5:30 pm people were slowly being admitted. I think we got into the studio around 5:45pm or 6pm.

My first impression of the studio-TINY!!! We rushed to the second row and there we stood and waited (the theme for the day). We didn't notice lots of die hard fans but there were a few filtering into the studio. 6:55pm-VH1 producer man gets on stage and pumps up the crowd.

7:00pm-The Cure come on stage (Robert last of course). The were all dressed in black except Jason who had on a forest green v-neck. Robert had on a black long sleeved v-neck with black cargo pants and "Bunker" platform black boots with 3 huge buckles. Simon had a cute little blue hat on sideways, black high water tight jeans, black tank-top and the same shoes as Robert. Roger looked so cute!! He had a black long sleeved shirt, black pants with lots of zippers, and black boots-not the same as Simon and Robert. Perry-black shirt, black pants, black shoes-nothing special.

Robert then steps to the mic and introduces "Out of this world". The song had a long intro. I don't really remember the words but I know they were wonderful. I did get the impression it was about all things do eventually come to an end.

Second song-"Want"-done with lots of feeling as well as "Club America". Robert didn't make eye contact very often-he was hiding behind his big bangs (which were down below his nose).

Third song-"Fascination Street". Excellent job!!! I was beginning to notice that there weren't many fans near the front of the crowd because only a few people were singing and dancing. Robert then introduced a song that we would all recognize-"Just Like Heaven".

The highlight of the show for me was the next song-"The Last Day of Summer". I was almost crying. The lyrics are so beautiful and the music dark-"The Last day of summer never felt so cold, The last day of summer never felt so old". Oh this song is wonderful.

After "The Last Day of Summer" Robert said something about how the new album isn't going to have any pop tunes and then introduced a "pop" tune-"Inbetween Days"

The second highlight for me was "From the edge of the deep green sea". I love this song and it was perfect. I think Robert messed up one line but nothing super obvious. Jason looked really cute back there playing the drums during this song!!

Next followed a big suprise-100 years! Robert was singing with so much concentration and feeling. At the end of 100 years they took a 2 minute break. Robert came to the mic and told us he needed to fill some time. People were screaming for him to tell a joke but then he said he didn't know any. It was a cute interaction he was having with the crowd. This older woman gave him a rose and he gladly accepted. They then went into "Boys Don't Cry". Roger walked off stage and then came back with a tamborine and for the remainder of the song he played that-it was really cute!! After the song Robert said something like "That will be good for you guys with the walkmen under your caps".

"Bloodflowers" was the next amazing new song. Not as laid back musically as the other two new ones. It seemed much faster. Excellent lyrics once again. The coolest thing was Robert had little flower stickers on his guitar while he was playing the guitar. Meanwhile Simon had a sticker that said "White Trash" on his bass!

Last song-"Wrong Number". Perry played a glitter guitar for this song. They all were really into it and Robert really seemed to be enjoying himself during the song.

After the song Robert said that they would be back real soon to do a real concert and then they walked off and that was the end of the show. Before Robert completely made it off stage a fan asked for his setlist that was taped on the stage and he bent down and tore if off and gave it to him. I thought that was such a great jesture.

I really wanted a setlist so the VH1 guys were tearing them up and giving them to people. I was lucky enough to get a setlist!! It even has the wrong date on the top-14/10/99! -What an amazing experience.

We waited outside for the band to come out and sure enough Roger was the first out and came over and signed my setlist. He mentioned they were on their way to do some radio stuff and that he would see us all in Feb. Roger was much taller than I expected. He was very handsome. All the other band members rushed into the van. I thought it was really nice of Roger to come over and sign autographs. Robert better be careful or Roger is going to become my favorite!!

Autographed setlist in hand we headed over to Ellen's Stardust Dinner and discussed the show while being entertained by the wait staff singing "The Rose" and "He's a Rebel"-not a very good encore after The amazing Cure show we had just experienced.

I had the most amazing experience in NYC. I can't wait until Feb. and the tour. I'm now back in Albuquerque dreaming of the wonderful time I had in NYC. I don't regret a thing. Warren, Craig and Nadine-Thank you for the memories I will never forget.