The Cure rolling into the Xfinity Center in June 2023 felt less like a nostalgia tour stop and more like a statement. This was a band with nothing left to prove, yet still completely invested in the emotional weight of its songs and the connection with its audience. On a warm early-summer night, Robert Smith and company delivered a sprawling, deeply affecting set that leaned hard into atmosphere, endurance, and feeling. It wasn’t about hits first, or crowd control, or quick peaks. It was about immersion.
From the opening notes of “Alone,” the tone was immediately clear. The song’s slow build and heavy mood settled over the amphitheater like a fog, pulling the crowd inward instead of pushing them to cheer. Smith’s voice sounded remarkably strong—fragile in the right places, resilient where it mattered—and the band gave the song room to stretch. Flowing straight into “Pictures of You,” the emotional temperature rose. The crowd sang along quietly at first, then louder, as those familiar chords wrapped around the venue. It was a reminder that The Cure’s music doesn’t just trigger memories; it reactivates them.
Newer material like “A Fragile Thing” and “And Nothing Is Forever” fit seamlessly into the set, not as obligatory additions but as natural extensions of the band’s long-running themes of love, loss, and time. These songs didn’t feel out of place among the classics—in fact, they deepened the sense that The Cure is still writing from the same emotional core they’ve always inhabited. “A Night Like This” and “Lovesong” brought a wave of warmth and recognition, balancing melancholy with romance in a way only this band can manage.
As the set continued, the mood shifted darker and more restless. “Burn” arrived with intensity, its brooding edge cutting sharply through the night air. Smith leaned into the song’s urgency, while the band locked into a pulsing drive that felt almost confrontational compared to the dreaminess earlier in the set. “At Night” and “Charlotte Sometimes” followed, pulling things back into a more hypnotic, post-punk space. These weren’t just throwbacks; they were fully alive, played with conviction and clarity.
Mid-set highlights like “Push” and “Play for Today” injected movement into the crowd. People who had been swaying now danced, arms went up, and the lawn came alive. “A Forest” was a major moment, as always. The extended outro, with its looping bassline and shimmering guitars, felt endless in the best way. The song built and built, holding the crowd in a trance before finally releasing them.
The back half of the main set leaned into grandeur. “Shake Dog Shake” brought muscular energy, followed by a massive “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea.” This was one of the emotional peaks of the night—Smith practically pleading through the lyrics, the band swelling and crashing behind him. It was raw, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Closing the main set with “Endsong” was a bold choice, but it worked beautifully. The song felt like a reflection on mortality, legacy, and time passing, and it landed with a quiet heaviness that left the crowd stunned rather than screaming for more.
The first encore began on a somber note with “I Can Never Say Goodbye” and “It Can Never Be the Same.” These songs kept the emotional weight front and center, proving the band wasn’t interested in immediate gratification. Then came “Plainsong,” and the mood shifted dramatically. Those opening synths washed over the venue, sending chills through longtime fans. “Prayers for Rain” followed, dense and pounding, leading into an absolutely massive “Disintegration.” The title track was everything you’d want it to be—epic, emotional, and devastating, with the crowd hanging on every word.
Encore two was pure release. “Lullaby” brought a playful creepiness, followed by the bouncy charm of “Six Different Ways” and “The Walk.” Suddenly the night felt lighter, more colorful. “Friday I’m in Love” exploded into joy, with the entire venue singing along. From there, it was a hit parade done right: “Close to Me,” “Why Can’t I Be You?” “In Between Days,” “Just Like Heaven,” and finally “Boys Don’t Cry.” Instead of feeling tacked on, these songs felt like a celebration—a reminder that The Cure’s catalog contains multitudes.
As the final notes rang out and the crowd poured into the parking lots, there was a shared sense that this had been something special. The Cure didn’t rush, didn’t pander, and didn’t lean solely on nostalgia. They delivered a long, emotionally rich show that respected their past while fully embracing the present.
Setlist
Main Set:
Alone
Pictures of You
A Fragile Thing
A Night Like This
Lovesong
And Nothing Is Forever
Burn
At Night
Charlotte Sometimes
Push
Play for Today
A Forest
Shake Dog Shake
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Endsong
Encore:
I Can Never Say Goodbye
It Can Never Be the Same
Plainsong
Prayers for Rain
Disintegration
Encore 2:
Lullaby
Six Different Ways
The Walk
Friday I’m in Love
Close to Me
Why Can’t I Be You?
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
Boys Don’t Cry
Final Thoughts & Grade
The Cure at Xfinity Center in June 2023 was a masterclass in pacing, emotion, and longevity. Few bands can command an audience for nearly three hours without losing focus, and even fewer can make songs written decades apart feel equally urgent. This show wasn’t just great—it was deeply moving, thoughtful, and unforgettable.
Grade: A+