The Cult Kick Off Their “8525 Tour” in Niagara Falls, ON at OLG Stage [Photos]

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Love, the album that broke them into the mainstream, The Cult kicked off their “8525 Tour” with a sold-out show at OLG Stage in Niagara Falls, ON, for a night of celebration.

The night kicked off with Los Angeles-based industrial duo Patriarchy. They brought something many fans have never seen to the stage, from the sound to the stage presence. Simply put, Patriarchy wasn’t something you’d expect to open for a band like The Cult, but maybe Nine Inch Nails.

But nonetheless, Patriarchy had the crowd filled from the start and brought a set that fans couldn’t keep their eyes off of. They acknowledged their short time frame and ran through their setlist with few interruptions between songs; by the end of it, fans were in their seats and ready for the night to continue.

It was time for Death Cult who, based on the social media reception, was a little bit confusing for some. Death Cult was the original name for The Cult, releasing an EP in 1983, before rebranding in 1985. In the “8523 Tour,” a couple of years ago, to celebrate 40 years of Death Cult, the band did not play separate sets for Death Cult and The Cult, but on the “8525 Tour,” they decided to ditch the one set and split it into two.

Confusing? Very, but it allowed fans to get a taste of the deep discography that The Cult has to offer.

The members of Death Cult and The Cult stayed the same. Time has been friendly to frontman Ian Astbury, as he delivered a fantastic vocal performance throughout the entire night. The set was short, but it was a warm-up for fans waiting for The Cult. They ended the set with Astbury starting an “Ole Ole” chant before leaving the stage to change outfits.

Soon after, the members took the stage again. This time as The Cult, rather than Death Cult. Fans were really ready now, after the warm-up they got from Death Cult. Vocals remained fantastic, but noticeably, the riffs and guitarwork from Billy Duffy were put on display more during the second set. Everything about the guitar that night was perfect: the tones, the solos, the riffs… There’s something about hearing a reverb pedal used well live that makes me lock in on the guitarist for many parts of the show.

Astbury may be 63, but he sounds great, looks great and jumps all over the stage like he’s in his 20s still. Everything from interacting with the crowd to doing tambourine tricks on stage, he sure had a good time on stage and made sure everyone in the front row was with him throughout the night.

After playing ten songs, the band once again left the stage, but before they left the stage, the band started off the singing of the national anthem, which the crowd finished as the band came back on stage.

The encore was short and simple. One song, dedicated to the native people in the crowd, and the band’s biggest hit. “She Sells Sanctuary,” a song that was released on their 1985 album Love, which is being celebrated during this tour.

The Cult gave Canada a taste of British rock and played the first and provided a slice of history for those in attendance, playing the first and only Death Cult set in Canada.

The Cult (w/ Death Cult & Patriarchy) @ OLG Stage (Niagara Falls, ON) on October 7th, 2025

18 photos