Quintessential melancholy moguls, The Cure, have set up their first tour date since 2023, August 30th at the 2026 Rock En Seine, which has led rise to scattered rumours and inklings of a new record to come, keeping fans speculating.
Beyond this, The Cure has already announced another festival slot, headlining at the renowned Nova Rock, among Bring Me The Horizon, Iron Maiden, with more to be announced.
This was followed by the band’s acquisition of yet another headline bill for June 2026 in the Isle of Wight, amongst other musically ubiquitous artists and bands, new and old. The acts go as follows: Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party and Brighton’s very own The Kooks.
Numerous devout fans have already flocked to ticketing sites and apps with zeal at the band’s unprecedented return; anticipation steadily increasing and marinating.
Robert Smith has previously stated that another album is under production, to succeed their critically received record: Songs Of A Lost World, which received extensive touring and media attention. This came into effect most notably in their inaugural gig at the Troxy, in November 2024, where the album was launched alongside a celebration of their seminal record: Seventeen Seconds, whose 45th anniversary coincided with the date.
Many high-profile guests were among the adoring crowd, including Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong; My Bloody Valentine’s world class guitar-mad scientist, Kevin Shields, Boy George, Mogwai‘s Stuart Braithwaite, members of Duran Duran, actor Mathew Horne and comedian Stewart Lee, Pale Waves, Just Mustard, Dr Brian Cox, Chris Packham, and none other than Pedro Pascal, which goes to show the group’s enduring appeal amidst musical pioneers, music afficionados, and celebrities alike.
Smith has proclaimed that the record is “virtually finished” with yet another record to act as its successor!
This could imply a potential teaser of tracks in their upcoming performances and gigs. Smith believes there to be a firm chance of the latter, in light of his statement, “We’ll probably be playing quite regularly through until the next anniversary – the 2028 anniversary! It’s looming on the horizon”, considering it is almost virtually unheard of for an artist to not demo or propose new material for their upcoming sets.
However, with that comes news of departure, with Smith stating that he will turn “70 in 2029, and that’s the 50th anniversary of the first Cure album. That’s it, that really is it. If I make it that far, that’s it”, which will bring The Cure’s touring endeavours to a close, cementing their legacy as a force to be reckoned in the post-punk and contemporary rock sphere.
Before that, Smith intends on “playing concerts as part of the overall plan of what we’re going to do. I’ve loved it; the last 10 years of playing shows have been the best 10 years of being in the band”.
Suffice to say, Smith and Co have been keeping busy their craft and musicianship, despite the frontman’s tendency for timing liberties, “Seriously, I have to finish the second album,” stated Smith in 2024, alluding to potential gigs and ceremonial performances in the future, which may even stretch to their 50th anniversary as a group.
Above all, Smith intends to complete a project before the band hits the road again, which will only make already present anticipation brew and marinate further.
So, who knows what the future will hold for the group? On that note, it’s best to stay tuned for more that will come...