The Cure Unleash Decades of Classics at Primavera Sound 2026

Last night, the legendary The Cure graced the Estrella Damm Stage at Primavera Sound 2026, headlining the festival at Barcelona's Parc Del Forum. This marked their first performance since an intimate November 2024 show at London's Troxy, which celebrated the release of their acclaimed album, Songs Of A Lost World.

That album, a critical darling, propelled The Cure to their first UK #1 in 32 years and earned them their first-ever Grammys. Yet, the Primavera setlist, rather than leaning heavily on new material, offered a rich tapestry of their nearly five-decade-long career, featuring only two tracks from Songs Of A Lost World.

Fans were treated to a treasure trove of rare appearances and long-absent tracks. While 'Want' from 1996's Wild Mood Swings was a regular on their last tour, at Primavera, the band dusted off the LP's sunnier single 'Mint Car' for the first time in a decade. 'alt-end,' from their 2004 self-titled album, also reappeared after 2018.

Even deeper cuts resurfaced: the 1989 'Lovesong' b-side '2 Late' and the 1997 single 'Wrong Number' (from the hits compilation Galore) graced the stage for the first time since 2019. Notably, the setlist conspicuously omitted any material from their dark masterpiece, Pornography.

This performance carried a poignant undertone, being The Cure's first show since the passing of multi-instrumentalist Perry Bamonte in December. The core lineup of Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Jason Cooper, Roger O'Donnell, and Reeves Gabrels was joined by Simon's son, Eden Gallup, who has previously played with the band.

A highlight for many was Smith breaking out his double flute for 'Burn,' a moment that underscored the band's enduring theatricality and musical depth. The enigmatic frontman also charmed the crowd, reading 'Por desgracia, todavía no puedo hablar español' ('Unfortunately, I still can’t speak Spanish') off a strip of paper to roaring applause. His quick-witted 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm here all week' response before launching into 'Lullaby' showcased his characteristic dry humor.

While The Cure has many more European festival appearances lined up this summer, a North American return remains unconfirmed. Fans also eagerly await a promised follow-up album to Songs Of A Lost World, which was reportedly recorded last year.

In an interesting twist, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, recently added to the Occident Stage for tonight, is not expected to feature on The Cure's upcoming release, despite their shared festival bill.

Below, you'll find The Cure's full Primavera Sound 2026 setlist, offering a glimpse into a night where legends reaffirmed their timeless appeal.

SETLIST:

• "Alone"
• "Pictures Of You"
• "High"
• "A Night Like This"
• "Lovesong"
• "2 Late"
• "The Last Day Of Summer"
• "Burn"
• "Fascination Street"
• "alt.end"
• "The Walk"
• "Mint Car"
• "In Between Days"
• "Just Like Heaven"
• "Trust"
• "Push"
• "Play For Today"
• "A Forest"
• "From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea"
• "Endsong"
• "Lullaby"
• "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
• "Wrong Number"
• "Let's Go To Bed"
• "The Lovecats"
• "Friday I'm In Love"
• "Close to Me"
• "Why Can't I Be You?"
• "Boys Don't Cry"

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