The Cult and Death Cult’s Show Was Therapy

Monday night was a night steeped in reflection for both the band and the fans as The Cult made their first Dallas-Fort Worth stop in years. The Death Cult and The Cult delivered electrifying sets, though it was ultimately one band channeling two eras of itself. The theme of time and transformation was clear the moment you stepped into Will Rogers Auditorium for this rare double bill with support from L.A. duo Patriarchy.

This historic hall has hosted legends like Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and you could feel that lineage hanging in the air, the kind of place where the spirits of great shows linger in the rafters.

A bit of context: The Cult formed in Bradford, England, in 1983, but before the fame and arena tours, they were Death Cult, itself an evolution of Southern Death Cult. Original singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy released a four-track post-punk gothic EP in July 1983. By January 1984, they had shortened the name to The Cult and shifted toward a more muscular, hard rock sound, the foundation of the classic albums that defined their legacy.

Through countless lineup changes, Astbury and Duffy have remained the constant core. The group split in 1994, reunited in 1999 and has been active ever since. Their latest studio record, Under the Midnight Sun (2022), proved their creative spark is still alive. Aside from a short run of shows in 2023, no one had witnessed Death Cult live since 1983, making this revival a long-awaited gift to diehard fans.

The evening unfolded like a ceremonial journey. Patriarchy opened the night under blood red light, their darkly seductive “snuff pop” blending electro, industrial and art house theatrics. Their set was toned down compared to their headline shows, but perfectly set the stage for what followed.

When Death Cult took over, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Their sound was gritty and tribal, less polished, more primal. It felt like watching a young band discovering its identity in real time. The songs carried the raw emotion of a group still unshaped by success. Inside this storied venue, it almost felt like stepping through a time portal, if not for the glow of hundreds of raised cell phones reminding everyone it was 2025.

After a brief intermission, The Cult reemerged in new attire, ready to unleash the hits. From the opening chord, the crowd was on its feet. The riffs hit harder, the choruses soared, and the singalongs rolled through the hall like a wave. The transformation from club-sized tension to stadium-level power was complete.

The audience itself was a study in contrasts, older on average but wildly diverse in look and style. It wasn’t a “scene” crowd so much as a gathering of true believers. Imagine the State Fair on a Sunday, but everyone’s there for one reason: decades-deep devotion to this band.

In Fort Worth that night, the dual set concept worked beautifully. The Death Cult segment honored their roots; The Cult half celebrated what they became. Nostalgic, yes, but not frozen in the past, a reminder of how far they’ve traveled and how enduring their sound remains. For longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, it was a full circle moment, a night heavy with history, purpose and power.

See more photos from Monday’s show: