Skip to content
Riot Fest Logo
Tickets
Search
  • FESTIVAL
    • 2023 Lineup
    • 2023 Photos + Videos
    • 2023 Merch
    • 2023 Riot Mall Vendors
    • Lost & Found
    • Tickets
    • FAQ
    • Partners
  • Upcoming Shows
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Playlists
    • New Music
    • Concert Photos
    • Interviews
    • Comics
    • TV+Film
    • Staff Picks
  • Community
    • Community Involvement
    • Community Tickets
    • Community Bands at Riot Fest
    • Community Artwork Submission
    • Park Cleanup
    • Community Job Hiring
    • Vendor Workshop
    • Neighborhood Guide
  • Merch
  • Search
If You Like The Cure…

If You Like The Cure…

Check out Tegan and Sara, Ride, Warpaint, Just Mustard and more at Riot Fest 2023!
August 16, 2023 (August 17, 2023) // Riot Fest

Few groups have left a mark on alternative culture quite like The Cure. With a ridiculous string of classic albums, often-imitated aesthetic and amazing track record of navigating superstardom on their own terms, the band has cemented its legacy as one of music’s most impressive success stories. It’s no surprise that this year’s Shows of a Lost World Tour was one of the summer’s hottest tickets – despite the fact that it’s been fifteen years since their last album.

While there’s no shortage of bands that cite them as an influence (Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins and My Chemical Romance for starters), we’re looking at some of the artists on this year’s Riot Fest lineup who share a musical DNA with The Cure. In a few cases, they’re actually some of Robert Smith’s favorite bands and former tourmates!

But why just tell you about it when we could show you, show you, show you?


Tegan and Sara

the con

For whichever era of The Cure is your favorite, we’ve got Tegan and Sara tracks to recommend. (And, not just because they quite literally have a song called “The Cure.”) The Con is perfect if you’re craving doom and gloom, and its title track does sound a lot like “Push” from The Head on the Door. If you find yourself gravitating towards the quirky, effervescent pop of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or non-album singles like “The Walk” and “Let’s Go To Bed,” then you need to check out 2013’s Heartthrob. Loaded with anthemic choruses and bombastic synths, it’s a true spiritual successor to Robert Smith’s mid-80s assault on Top 40 radio.

Check Out: “The Con,” “So Jealous,” “Drove Me Wild”

Ride

vapour trail

The mutual admiration between Ride and The Cure goes back decades. Most notably, Robert Smith did a remix of “Vapour Trail” for the 25th anniversary reissue of their seminal debut album, Nowhere, back in 2015. He’s long cited it as one of his favorite songs, even going as far as saying it’s got one of “best fifteen-second intros of all time.” Maybe that’s why the beginning of “The Hungry Ghost” from 2008’s 4:13 Dream sounded so familiar…

Check Out: “Vapour Trail,” “Drive Blind,” “Future Love”

Warpaint

elephants

While there’s no shortage of bands that have drawn influence from The Cure’s look and all-around gloominess, Warpaint tap into the band’s ambient, atmospheric side. Their sound is a direct descendant of hypnotic fan-favorites like “A Forest” or “Plainsong,” driven by powerful post-punk basslines that would undoubtedly get a nod of approval from Simon Gallup. 

Check Out: “Undertow,” “Elephants,” “Like Sweetness”

Just Mustard

still

When The Cure headlined Dublin’s Malahide Castle back in 2019, they handpicked Irish shoegazers Just Mustard to kick off the already-stacked bill, featuring Ride and The Twilight Sad. They’re one of Robert Smith’s personal favorite bands, with songs that have a similar beauty and sonic tension to brooding ‘80s albums like Pornography, Faith and Disintegration. While you can’t really go wrong, last year’s Heart Under is a great place to begin.

Check Out: “Still,” “Pigs,” “Deaf”

Single day tickets are still available to see The Cure with Ride, Just Mustard, The Mars Volta and tons of other great bands on Sunday, September 17. Get yours now!

tickets

The Related Rabbit Hole

The Cure Heading Back To The Studio The Cure’s First Ever TV Performance Is Just Like Heaven Are You Hungover? Hunter S. Thompson Has A Hangover Cure
About The Author
Riot Fest

Punk Rock (& more) Music Fest | I'm sorry we didn't book the exact bands you wanted, in the exact order you wanted, in the exact location you wanted, for free. Chicago. Sept. 15-17, 2023

Posted in Riot Fest 2023Tagged just mustard, My Chemical Romance, NIN, nine inch nails, Ride, smashing pumpkins, tegan and sara, The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, warpaint

Post navigation

  Previous PostNext Post 
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • Mail
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
Riot Fest Tickets
Upcoming Shows Playlist

Introducing Riot Pop!! CBD

New Riot Pop!! CBD flavors available at Riot Fest 2023 and Cultivate Fest
Riot Fest Presents Shows
Sep. 29, 2023
X-Ray Arcade
Venom Inc.

Venom Inc.

Satan

Ringworm

72 Legions

Tubal Cain

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Venom Inc.
Sep. 29, 2023
Cobra Lounge
Agent Orange

Agent Orange

Spice Pistols

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Agent Orange
Sep. 30, 2023
Concord Music Hall
Movements

Movements

Mannequin Pussy

Softcult

Heart To Gold

SOLD OUT
Movements
Sep. 30, 2023
Cobra Lounge
Venom Inc.

Venom Inc.

Satan

Ringworm

72 Legions

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Venom Inc.
Sep. 30, 2023
X-Ray Arcade
Broadway Rave

Broadway Rave

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Broadway Rave
Oct. 1, 2023
Turner Hall Ballroom
MAX & IGGOR CAVALERA: MORBID DEVASTATION

MAX & IGGOR CAVALERA: MORBID DEVASTATION

EXHUMED

INCITE

MORTA SKULD

Tickets(Opens in new window).
MAX & IGGOR CAVALERA: MORBID DEVASTATION

MORE SHOWS

Greatest Hits

  • Foundation
  • Riot Pop!!
  • History
  • Contact
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
Du-Mango 95 Flavor Riot Pop!!
Cherry On!! Flavor Riot Pop!!
Riot Pop!! Logo

It's got electrolytes!

Get on wait list
InstagramTwitterYouTubeTikTokFacebook

Copyright © 2023 Riot Fest Corporation. Privacy Policy.

Search for:

Send me emails so I don’t have to go to your website to look for shows.

"*" indicates required fields

Name
Email me about
Music I like
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The best, the best, the "Best Of" Riot Fest 2023 gallery is up!
See Pics
This is default text for notification bar
Learn more