The Cure, Summer Sessions, Edinburgh 23rd August 2026

Firstly I would like to acknowledge the great work done by the Summer Sessions accessibility team, this is the first concert that I’ve used their services and everything from car parking to accessible seating was flawless. Gates opened a good thirty minutes before the main gates to allow people onto the platform before the general public descended into the arena. Accessibility area had QR code scanners for ordering food, soft drinks and merchandise which was promptly delivered by volunteers from the Beatson Cancer Centre, blankets were even provided later on the night as the air turned cooler. There was a sensory area as well as British Sign Language area with staff signing for the people in the deaf area.

Taking to the stage at 20:15 and opening with Plainsong, The Cure delivered a main set that was a mixture of fan favourites and album tracks lasting over two hours and finishing with one of the early hits “Boys Don’t Cry” which amazingly after forty seven years is carrying as much excitement now as it did when released way back in 1979.

The audience were treated to stunning vocals from Robert Smith accompanied by pounding drums from Jason Cooper, haunting key’s from Roger O’Donnel, body thumping bass vibes from Simon Gallup and screaming guitar chords from Reeves Gabriel. Let’s also not forget Simon’s son Eden on guitars and keyboards and a cameo appearance on A Night Like This from Gabriel Cooper on saxophone who is drummer Jason Coopers son.

The encore treated us to know less than eight top twenty hits, which gave the 30,000 crowd a night to remember.