Photo via Beggar's Arkive
The echoes of the past are set to shake through the present as Death Cult, the storied post-punk progenitor to The Cult, announces a return for a sole U.S. performance on October 23rd. This is not just a concert; it’s a ritualistic celebration of a legacy that has spanned over four decades.
The evening will be centered around Death Cult and their eponymous 1983 EP, but the setlist will boast a musical odyssey that spans the three phases of the band, from Southern Death Cult to Death Cult, and The Cult’s first two albums: Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985).
Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, the architects of this musical movement, will follow the Los Angeles outing with a U.K. trek featuring the same remarkable celebration of The Cult’s origins. The U.K. and Ireland tour will include a dozen dates, a tribute to the band’s early years, and a reflection of their evolution from goth/post-punk roots into a more hard-rock sound.
Tickets for all dates are on-sale this Friday, August 18th, at 10 am local time. Check venues and ticket platforms for local pre-sale options.
Tickets for the Los Angeles Death Cult show are on sale here
Also, see The Cult’s website for more ticketing details.
Frontman Ian Astbury’s journey began with the Southern Death Cult in 1981, alongside Barry Jepson, David “Buzz” Burrows, and Haq Nawaz “Aky” Qureshi. The band released the single “Moya”/”Fatman” before parting ways. Their legacy was immortalized in a 1983 compilation by Beggars Banquet.
By 1983, Death Cult emerged from the ashes of Southern Death Cult and Theatre of Hate, with Astbury and guitarist Bill Duffy at the helm—a partnership that’s continued for over 40 years.
By June, they had penned ten tracks, four of which made it to their debut EP. Astbury’s admiration for Native American cultures shines through in tracks like “Ghost Dance” and “Horse Nation.” The former draws inspiration from the Ghost Dance movement and spiritual leader Wovoka, while the latter borrows heavily from the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
The band released two 12-inch records that year, including the Death Cult EP. These releases are considered seminal classics for several generations of post-punk and gothic rock fans.
By 1984, Death Cult had evolved into The Cult. They made their debut with a shortened name with the release of 1984’s Dreamtime and have since released 11 albums in total, earning gold and platinum accolades in the U.S. and internationally.
Besides the Los Angeles concert at the Ace Hotel, the rest of The Cult’s upcoming U.S. gigs are set to be a different experience, with reps for the band indicating that there will be a more “traditional” setlist that spans their entire discography.
The Cult Presents Death Cult Tour Dates 2023:
The Cult Tour Dates 2023:
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