The Head on the Door Tour

Lore & Background

The Head on the Door Tour was The Cure's first major outing with drummer Boris Williams, whose precise, driving rhythms gave the new songs a crisp, energetic backbone. The setlist blended the album's diverse tracks—from the jangling 'In Between Days' to the eerie 'The Baby Screams'—with older fan favorites like 'A Forest' and 'The Hanging Garden,' creating a bridge between their gothic roots and a more accessible sound. The tour's visual aesthetic, featuring colorful, surreal backdrops and Smith's iconic smeared lipstick and teased hair, became a defining image of the band's mid-80s identity. This tour also saw the band headlining larger venues and festivals for the first time, including a memorable show at the Royal Albert Hall. The performances were noted for their tightness and emotional intensity, with Smith's voice and stage presence captivating audiences. The tour's success helped propel The Head on the Door to become a commercial breakthrough, solidifying The Cure's reputation as a major live act capable of filling halls worldwide.

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd at the Royal Albert Hall. A single blue spotlight hit Robert Smith, his hair a wild nest of black, his lips a crimson slash. He stood motionless for a moment, then the first chords of 'In Between Days' rang out, and the audience erupted. For the next two hours, the band wove a spell of joy and sorrow, from the frantic energy of 'Push' to the haunting stillness of 'Close to Me.' As the final notes of 'Boys Don't Cry' faded, Smith whispered, 'Thank you,' and the roar of the crowd seemed to shake the very walls.

Reader's Guide

The Head on the Door Tour kicked off in Europe in late 1985, with the band playing a mix of club dates and larger halls. The early setlists heavily featured the new album, often opening with 'In Between Days' and closing with 'Close to Me.' As the tour progressed, older songs like 'Primary' and 'The Walk' were rotated in, and the band began experimenting with extended versions of tracks like 'A Forest.' The North American leg in early 1986 saw the band playing iconic venues like The Ritz in New York and the Hollywood Palladium, where the energy was electric. A notable moment was the band's performance at the 1986 Rock Werchter festival in Belgium, where they played to a massive, rain-soaked crowd, cementing their festival appeal. The tour also featured a controversial incident in Los Angeles when Smith, frustrated with technical issues, briefly walked off stage, only to return and deliver a blistering set. The tour's final leg in Oceania included shows in Australia and New Zealand, where the band's popularity was surging, and fans greeted them with a fervor that bordered on hysteria.

Did You Know?

• Boris Williams' drumming on this tour was so influential that his style became a hallmark of The Cure's sound for the next decade.
• The tour's setlist often included a cover of 'Purple Haze' by Jimi Hendrix, showcasing the band's rock influences.
• Robert Smith's onstage banter during this tour was notably more playful and talkative than in previous years.
• The tour's promotional poster featured a striking image of a door with a face, inspired by the album's cover art.