DEATH CULT / THE CULT
10/20/25 – Will Rogers Auditorium – Fort Worth, TX
© M’Lou Elkins / Skip2Photography.com
On the night of October 20, 2025, Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Auditorium transformed into a ritual of sound and shadow for the Death Cult / The Cult concert. Under low lights and expectant murmurs, longtime fans gathered to witness a rare evening that spanned the band’s entire evolution in two distinct sets: one embracing the gothic, post-punk edge of Death Cult, the other charging forward with The Cult’s hard-rock force. It felt like watching time loop and collide: dark roots and arena anthems standing side by side in one unforgettable performance.
For me, The Cult has always been more than a band; they were part of the soundtrack of my adolescence and my own personal evolution. I still remember being pulled onto the dance floor by my first real boyfriend at age 14 when the DJ spun “Wild Flower,” cruising through the LSU campus and Chimes Street in Baton Rouge at age 15 to “Big Neon Glitter,” and skipping school to drive to New Orleans for the day with “She Sells Sanctuary” blasting. I was 17 the first time I saw The Cult perform live, and somehow, decades later, they sounded just as good on Monday night. That’s not something you can say about many bands.
From the moment frontman Ian Astbury appeared onstage, silhouetted by blue lights, with his signature tambourine raised high, and guitarist Billy Duffy with his Gretsch slung low, the years seemed to fold in on themselves, and I felt almost teleported back in time.
Death Cult opened the night, diving deep into their early catalog with a set that felt both raw and spiritual. They kicked things off with “Ghost Dance,” a hypnotic, tribal-tinged groove that immediately drew the crowd into the shadows. From there, they moved through “Resurrection Joe,” “Gods Zoo,” “Christians,” and the dark shimmer of “Butterflies” and “83rd Dream.” The set closed perfectly with “Spiritwalker,” a song that bridged the gap between Death Cult and The Cult, leaving the audience buzzing with anticipation for what was to come.
After a brief ten-minute interlude featuring a short movie clip that flickered across the stage, The Cult emerged and launched into “Wild Flower,” shaking the entire room to life. The energy was electric…fans on their feet, fists raised, voices echoing every lyric. The setlist rolled through eras and albums: “The Witch,” “War (The Process),” “Rain,” “Edie (Ciao Baby),” “Hollow Man,” “Rise,” “Lucifer,” “Lil’ Devil,” and a blistering “Fire Woman” that had the crowd singing in unison.
Duffy’s guitar tone was razor-sharp, cutting through Astbury’s powerful vocals with a mix of swagger and precision that reminded everyone why these two are still one of rock’s most magnetic duos, and you could feel the decades of history in every chord played.
By the time the final notes of the show closer “She Sells Sanctuary” rang out, it was clear this wasn’t just another nostalgia tour. The night was a full-circle moment…a celebration of legacy, reinvention, and pure rock spirit. Will Rogers Auditorium, with its classic Texas charm and echoes of rock history in the rafters, was the perfect cathedral for it all.
Walking out into the cool Fort Worth night, ears ringing and heart full, I couldn’t help but think: few bands can bridge decades the way The Cult can. They didn’t just revisit their history; they made it feel alive again. The songs didn’t just sound like they mattered; in that room, they were still resonating.
Check out the Death Cult / The Cult concert photo gallery below:
If you asked me whether this was a must-see show, I’d say emphatically yes. Whether you’re a decades-deep follower or someone just discovering their catalogue, this show delivered both heritage and punch. The dual set makes it unique: not just a greatest-hits show, but a full survey of identity. The Cult and Death Cult may traverse different eras, but Monday night proved they’re absolutely one force.
