The Cure

The Cure Performs 'A Forest' at Rock Werchter Festival - July 1981

Rock Werchter Festival
Werchter, Brabant, Belgium

• In July 1981, The Cure was nearing the height of their early career, having recently released their second studio album, "Seventeen Seconds," earlier ... Read Full Description >

  In July 1981, The Cure was nearing the height of their early career, having recently released their second studio album, "Seventeen Seconds," earlier that year. This album showcased their evolving sound, characterized by a darker, more atmospheric approach compared to their debut. The live performance at the Rock Werchter Festival, where the band played "A Forest," became notable not just for the music but also for the incident involving a truncated set. Robert Smith's frustration was evident as the band was forced to cut their performance short, leading to his now-infamous protest: "f*** Robert Palmer, f**k Rock and Roll," in reaction to the festival's rules. This moment encapsulated the band's burgeoning identity as they pushed against mainstream pressures, further solidifying their place in the post-punk landscape of the early '80s.