The Cure play deep cuts and fan favourites during Open'er Festival 2026 headline set

As The Cure took to the stage at Poland's Open'er Festival, their two-and-a-half hour headline set was evidence of the band's enduring legacy and ability to craft a career-spanning setlist that balances deep cuts and fan favourites. For Robert Smith, the Cure's iconic frontman, the setlist was a chance to revisit old favourites and dust off rarely-played tracks, like 'Treasure', a deep cut from 1996's 'Wild Mood Swings' that has only been performed a handful of times in recent years.

The Cure's Open'er Festival setlist was a masterclass in balance, featuring a mix of lighter pop sections, early proto-goth songs, and album-centric performances that defied eras. The setlist was organised into moods and eras, with lighter pop sections including a run of 'Push', 'In Between Days', and 'Just Like Heaven', as well as their famously upbeat encore of 'The Walk', 'The Lovecats', and 'Friday I'm In Love'. This was a deliberate choice, as Smith noted before playing 'Friday I'm In Love', "It's a good time to play this one," he said, pulling his hood up against the rain.

The Cure's setlist was not just a nostalgia trip, however. The band also made time for some of their lesser-known tracks, like 'Want', which followed directly after 'Treasure', and 'From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea', which was performed as part of a section dominated by songs from the 'Disintegration' album. These tracks were not just relics of the past, but rather evidence of the Cure's ability to craft songs that are both timeless and yet still fresh and exciting.

Of course, no Cure setlist would be complete without some of their iconic fan favourites, like 'Trust', 'Charlotte Sometimes', and 'Prayers For Rain'. These tracks were performed with the same level of passion and energy as the deeper cuts, and were evidence of the Cure's ability to craft songs that are both memorable and yet still challenging and thought-provoking.

As if to add an extra layer of drama to the set, the rain that had been threatening to fall all evening finally made an appearance during the final minutes of the Cure's set. Smith joked about it, saying "I knew we shouldn't have played 'Prayers For Rain'," but the rain only added to the atmosphere, making the performance feel like a truly special and memorable event.

As The Cure continue their European festival run, fans will be eagerly anticipating their next performance. Will they continue to mix deep cuts and fan favourites, or will they focus on their more iconic tracks?The Cure's Open'er Festival setlist was a masterclass in balance, and evidence of the band's enduring legacy. With a mix of deep cuts and fan favourites, the setlist was a true celebration of the Cure's iconic sound. As they continue their European festival run, fans will be eagerly anticipating their next performance, and wondering what new surprises the band has in store for them.