Cults | Texas Review | Ralph Arvesen
Cults performing during the Only God Was Above Us Tour at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on October 17, 2024, with Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

Indiepop duo Cults burst onto the scene in 2011 with their self-titled debut, captivating audiences with their retro sound and catchy melodies. Their follow-up, "Static" showcased a darker side to their music with tracks like "I Can Hardly Make You Mine." Live performances have seen Cults expand their sound with a larger band lineup and a more aggressive guitar presence. Visually, their stage setup, featuring a wall of static-playing TVs, complements the album's title and adds a unique element to their shows.

While some fans might worry that these changes detract from singer Madeline Follin's innocent vocals, her powerful voice shines through, reflecting the band's overall growth. Songs like "High Road" and "Always Forever" demonstrate Cults' willingness to explore new musical territories and avoid repeating the same formula.

The band's formation was a natural extension of the relationship between founding members Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin. Their initial release, "Go Outside," quickly gained popularity online and led to a record contract with Columbia. The success of their debut album was followed by a lengthy tour that ultimately ended their romantic relationship. Despite this personal setback, Cults persevered, and "Static" marked a significant milestone in their career.

The band's continued evolution and dedication to their craft have solidified their position in the music industry. Fans attending their concerts can expect to witness two talented artists who, though no longer romantically involved, share a genuine passion for their music and are not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Fan reviews:

Cults is the kind of band that can immediately entrance you with a lush atmospheric sound drenched in reverb, and then hit you in the face with hard rock guitar riffs and fast paced, rhythmic drumming.

Incredible experience! First, this is the most underrated band ever. They are awesome live! I even enjoyed it more than the recorded version which is hugely rare. Madeline is gorgeous as always and her vocals were magical. Brian and the other musicians played with absolute passion, and you could hear it coming through the speakers.

This show was Amazing! They played a mix of new and old songs and sounded so good. It was so much fun and the vibe/energy was really great. The lights and graphics were super cool too. Overall seem like really nice people and I'm definitely going when they come back!

Great show, wonderfully arranged visuals to accompany each song made all of them stand out individually. Madeline's enticing dance moves paired with Brain's melodic chord progressions made this concert. Ending each song with a "thank you!" adds a charm and politeness, amazing!

Cults are awesome! Love their new music it is amazing and has such a full sound. They also have one of the coolest light shows for a band their size.
Setlist for the show at the Moody Center
  • Crybaby
  • Left My Keys
  • Onions
  • Monolithic
  • Go Outside
  • Eat It Cold
  • Bad Things
  • You Know What I Mean
  • Gilded Lily
  • Hung the Moon
  • Always Forever

Cults shared the stage with Vampire Weekend at the Moody Center. They continue across the United States and Europe with the last stop at the NIEBO in Warszawa, Poland on November 15, 2024.

Cults
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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