I love a good tribute, for a good night out and sing along you just can’t beat it; but one that wows and has every detail mastered to perfection and gives that goose bump effect from the first few chords of each and every song, well I just had to write about it.
Liqueur did just that… in a sold out Warrington Irish club on Good Friday. We all know The Cure and their iconic style, genre and varied back catalogue, but tributes are few and far between, so to experience one so top of their game is a real joy.
From the off it’s pure atmosphere created – echoey, misty, magical sounds are incredible and immediately we all get lost (happily) deep into a nostalgic world of eeriness and alt/gothic thrills. It’s a real treat for hard core The Cure fans (I’m such a huge fan) as the set list is less about upbeat crowd pleasers, much more tailored to appreciation of this phenomenal band’s craft. From progressive masterpieces (played to perfection) like “Fascination Street and “ a Forest” to madcap, eccentric numbers like “ the Love cats” and “Close to you”; then of course to quote the actual The Cure “the nearest thing to a pop song you’ll ever hear from The Cure – Just like Heaven”…and a whole host of other brilliantly performed classics.
Stage presence is in abundance, obviously all modeled on the actual band, often fairly static but completely captivating and fascinating to watch; lots of energy and plenty of dancing and guitar swinging during lighter numbers. Glorious post punk alt rock feels rain down on us, layered sounds; solid military style beats drive the sound, whilst textured, exquisite bass lines bring that instantly recognisable Cure signature; swirling synths and keys, those familiar, dreamily surreal, rhythm guitar lines and jingle jangle lead guitar… spidery then edgy, creating real definition. Vocal is excellent, very very close to actual Robert Smith’s – angsty, full of suffering, melancholy and ghostly, then gasps, light and growling.
As a crowd we have all been enthralled by this whole performance; Liqueur have easily transported us to a creepy, cool, mesmerising world of well loved songs, hauntingly vibrant and beautiful. What a celebration of stand out musical creativity! The musicianship has been top level, the sound incredible, but mostly, the thing I really take away is how true to The Cure this set really has been in every detail. Liqueur really bring a magical experience that any The Cure fan would approve of! Tonight we’ve been taken on a musical journey, through all of The Cures sounds, expressions and eras.
Liqueur will be playing Rockstock festival in Stockport on 25th may 2025which will be well worth catching.
Photos by Jeff Jolly
Words by Janet Harding
