Cults at Fine Line, Minneapolis (06 Aug 2024)

Tour Dates

• 8.7.24 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
• 8.9.24 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
• 8.10.24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
• 8.12.24 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
• 8.13.24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
• 8.15.24 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
• 8.16.24 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory
• 8.17.24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda
• 8.18.24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
• 8.20.24 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Hermann Hall
• 8.21.24 – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock
• 8.22.24 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live
• 8.24.24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
• 8.25.24 – Orlando, FL @ The Social
• 8.26.24 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
• 8.28.24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
• 9.19.24 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music*
• 9.20.24 – Cincinnati, OH @ ICON Festival*
• 9.21.24 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amph*
• 9.23.24 – Rochester Hills, MI @ Meadow Brook Amph*
• 9.24.24 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage *
• 9.25.24 – Laval, QE @ Place Bell *
• 9.27.24 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden *
• 9.28.24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center *
• 9.30.24 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem *
• 10.1.24 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem *
• 10.2.24 – Charlottesville, VA @ Ting Pavillion *
• 10.4.24 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
• 10.5.24 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
• 10.6.24 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
• 10.8.24 – Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion *
• 10.9.24 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheatre *
• 10.11.24 – Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater *
• 10.12.24 – Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre *
• 10.13.24 – Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit *
• 10.15.24 – St. Augustine, FL @ Saint Augustine Amph *
• 10.17.24 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center *
• 11.4.24 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy 3
• 11.5.24 – London, UK @ Electric Brixton
• 11.6.24 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde2
• 11.8.24 – Paris, France @ Le Trabendo
• 11.9.24 – Rouen, France @ Le 106
• 11.10.24 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet
• 11.12.24 – Cologne, Germany @ Live Music Hall
• 11.13.24 – Berlin, Germany @ Metropol
• 11.14.24 – Prague, Czech Republic @ MeetFactory
• 11.15.24 – Warsaw, Poland @ Niebo

  * Supporting Vampire Weekend

Open the show was Chicago’s BNNY… who said that they’ve been here three times, “twice here.” A quick fact-check reveals that, in fact, this was their first time at the venue, because their show with Molly Burch, at the Fine Line, was cancelled in April 2022.

Fortunately, we did see them, on their official first appearance “twenty years ago!” in Aug 2022 and wrote, “Opening the show was Chicago quartet Bnny, who started with just a quiet solo song from lead singer Jess Viscius. Shortly after that song ended, the rest of her band, which includes her twin sister Alexa Viscius, and Tim Makowski and Matt Pelkey, joined Jess on stage. Laughing she said, “That was the most rock ‘n roll thing I’ve ever done.” The band (and debut record Everything) was created to honor and process the death of Jess’ partner. So many of their songs are somewhat depressing and emotional. Their latest single, “I’m Just Fine”, is about “the sensation of time moving slowly when you are missing someone. It’s about attempting to deny that you are heartbroken in order to protect yourself.””

You have to forgive the band, as I have very poor memory as well. For example, for a long time I thought I saw Space in 1997, as I have memories of buying the tickets and driving to Los Angeles to see the band… but the truth is that the show was cancelled (which would explain why I don’t remember anything from the show!)

When we first saw Cults, in Jun 2011, they were the belle of the ball. Everyone wanted to see them, there were a million photographers: “Cults is a favorite among the bloggers, as apparent by the million photographers. Their self-titled album came out a week, or so earlier, on Lily Allen’s record label, In The Name Of, and I guess people are in love with it. They were pretty catchy, even threw in an F word after the lyrics “I can’t be the way you want” (from “Never Saw the Point”). The one thing I will say is that singer Madeline Follin only has one mode of dancing. While not a terrible thing, it’s not a whole lot of stage presence. Look for them on tour on the West Coast in July and some festivals in August.”

Seeing the band in broad daylight, at a music festival, didn’t really fit the band’s style. Since we saw them at First Avenue in April 2012 and Nov 2013, they’ve been playing more with darkness and projections/light effects.

Shortly after that the band went on hiatus, until they reemerged with Offering in 2017. Unfortunately, by this time, they weren’t signed on Sony Records anymore, and promotions and marketing for Offering and Motels (in 2018), didn’t really reach as far as it used.

Anyway, it’s been over a decade since we last saw the duo (Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion), and I’ll have to say it’s good to catch up. They’ve put together a custom projection to match and sync with the music. For example, the word “Crybaby” would show up whenever they sing the chorus. When it works, it’s actually pretty neato. Unfortunately, that also meant that the band relied heavily on the projection. Case in point, they had to stop and start over on their first song because the software running the images weren’t working correctly. Again, when it’s all working, it’s really cool.

If you saw the band at the Turf Club in Aug 2022, the band had a secret password. Madeline asked for the password… and it seems like no one remembered, or weren’t there. Turns out the secret password is “Buttercup.” Good to know, maybe next time.

Again, it’s good to see Cults again. Love the new special projection effects, it’s clear that they’ve worked closely with creating a visual and music program for their shows.

Cults’ To the Ghosts is out now.