The Cure

The Cure to play Estonia for very first time

For the very first time the legendary British band The Cure is set to make a long-awaited live performance in Estonia. The show will take place on August 9 in Tallinn, Unibet Arena Quarter. The quest artists are Duo Ruut from Estonia and Antti Paalanen from Finland. Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi.

The Cure is one of the most celebrated and enduring bands in contemporary music history. Since their formation in 1978, they have released a series of critically acclaimed albums and become synonymous with innovation in alternative and gothic rock. With a career spanning nearly five decades, their influence continues to resonate across generations of artists and fans alike.

Formed in Crawley, England, and led by iconic frontman Robert Smith, The Cure have spent almost five decades shaping the sound and spirit of alternative, post-punk, and gothic rock. The debut album "Three Imaginary Boys" was released in 1979, and was well-received by critics, categorizing the band in the post-punk and the new wave. Renowned for their atmospheric soundscapes, emotional depth, and enduring live performances, the band has built a global following with timeless releases such as “Disintegration”, “Wish”, and “Bloodflowers”.

Their latest studio album, “Songs of a Lost World”, released in 2024, marked their first new material in 16 years and was met with widespread critical acclaim. The record showcases the band’s signature melancholic intensity while exploring themes of loss, mortality, and reflection, reaffirming their place at the forefront of alternative music. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, The Cure won their first-ever Grammy Awards after a 50-year career, taking home Best Alternative Music Album for Songs of a Lost World and Best Alternative Music Performance for the song "Alone".

During their career, The Cure have released 14 studio, several live and compilation albums, plus more than 40 singles, selling more than 30 million records in total. They have played almost 2,000 concerts individually or at festivals. Also they have several concert films on their account, as well as some soundtracks. It's no secret that Robert Smith's style was borrowed for one of the most iconic films of director Tim Burton, “Edward Scissorhands”. Following the release of the film Smith collaborated musically with Burton on two other films.

The Cure has received a number of prestigious musical awards, including Grammys, the Brit Award, the MTV Music Video Award, the Ivor Novello Award and more. In 2019, The Cure were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.These accolades mark a defining chapter for the band, underscoring both their longevity and continued artistic relevance decades after their formation.
The upcoming concert promises to deliver an expansive setlist spanning the band’s illustrious catalog. Known for their immersive live shows, The Cure continue to captivate audiences worldwide with performances that blend nostalgia and emotional intensity.

The unique sound of Duo Ruut ties together a single Estonian zither and two distinct voices. Inspired by the traditions of their heritage, they draw influence from both the beliefs of different cultures and their own contemporary and emotive songwriting. As they are composing on one instrument Duo Ruut’s music is minimalist at its core but packed with new and imaginative ideas. This single instrument in between Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi creates, what Mojo called “a band sized sound”. They stand either side of the zither, each plucking and strumming its strings and sometimes tapping its body for percussive purposes. As Songlines has said - accompanied by ethereal voices which slowly draw you to the world. Sometimes the barest, most minimal music can hit the hardest.

Finnish artist Antti Paalanen's fate as a wild accordionist was dictated by a happy accident: young Antti walked into a musical instrument store in Alavute with the image of an electric guitar shining in his eyes, but what caught his attention in the store was a beautiful and fascinating accordion. There has been no turning back from that path, and today Paalanen, who lives in Kokkola, charms concert audiences around the world with his unique combination of double-row accordion, techno and throat singing. Paalanen's surprising cover videos on social media have reached millions of viewers.

Have a listen:
The Cure – Just Like Heaven https://youtu.be/n3nPiBai66M?si=YsLFgzl694H5FiSW
The Cure – Friday I’m In Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgMZpGYiy8
The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkVhgIeGJQ
The Cure – Alone (live from Troxy, 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1lIQWU-EI

Duo Ruut - Tuule sõnad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Kpt0fFgME
Duo Ruut - Udu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTWYm7eIUB8

Antti Paalanen - Takatukka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2HNKHOaia4
Antti Paalanen - Elä (Gotta Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IucBLN7hfc