Matt Haig who is best known for writing The Midnight Library and Reasons to Stay Alive, spoke about his experience of watching the English rockband in Blackweir Fields after the bassist invited him to the gig
22:30, 25 Jun 2026Updated 22:31, 25 Jun 2026
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The Cure at Blackweir Live on one of the hottest days of the year
An award-winning author has shared his “shining” moment when attending The Cure’s Blackweir Live performance in Cardiff on Wednesday, June 25. Matt Haig who is best known for writing The Midnight Library and Reasons to Stay Alive, spoke about his experience of watching the English rock band in Blackweir Fields after the bassist invited him to the gig.
The Cure’s bassist Simon Gallup, invited the author to the gig because he was a fan of his books and said that he read them with his daughter “during their most difficult time.”
Matt who is a massive fan of The Cure and has even written about them in his novels shared the touching story on social media. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
He shared on Instagram: “Last week Simon Gallup, legendary bassist of The Cure, sent me a lovely email asking if I wanted to come and see his band play on their current tour.
“So last night we went to Cardiff. But I cannot fully explain to you the magnitude of what I experienced.”The concert itself was incredible. The Cure were the first band I ever saw live and, as you may know from my books, are my absolute favourite band of all time. They don’t just write songs. They created a world to live inside. Gloomy and mysterious, yes, but safe and free.”Anyway, afterwards we were invited backstage. I half thought he wouldn’t know who I was, or that it had just been some PR thing and he was inviting me because I mention The Cure in my books. “But no. I had one of the most emotional conversations I have ever had with anyone who has read my books. I won’t give details but he and his daughter read The Midnight Library and Reasons to Stay Alive and all the others during their most difficult time. I was told I am a big bond between him and his daughter. He told me they got him through, pulled him off the floor. We cried together. I told him how The Cure had got me through too.”The author described his time with the bassist, saying: “He is the loveliest man. He said he had worried about sending the email and thought I wouldn’t respond! His daughters are great too. The whole band is lovely. “I sometimes doubt myself. My work. I sometimes wonder why musicians like it more than writers. I still have self esteem issues and have cultivated a flippancy about my writing. But speaking to people recently who it has helped – especially people whose work has helped me – is truly making me see a purpose to it all.””Oh and – maybe most ridiculously- The Cure have The Last Day of Summer in their current setlist because it features prominently in The Life Impossible.”He went on to discuss a wholesome moment with the musician: “‘I’m sorry,’ he told me, ‘I really fucked it tonight as I knew you were watching.’”I told him it sounded perfect. Because it was.”As was the whole night. Which my 14 year old self, watching The Cure in 1989, would never have believed.”Life is circular. Dark but shining.”
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The Cure kicked off this year’s line-up of Blackweir Live events, which will also see the likes of Teddy Swims, Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull take to the stage.
Having opened its doors last year, Blackweir has swiftly cemented its reputation as Cardiff’s go-to live music venue, born from a collaboration between DEPOT Live and leading UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor.
Next up is the American singer Teddy Swims who is best known for his songs Lose Control, Guilty and The Door, and will be taking to the stage on Friday, June 26. You can find more information and buy tickets here from £74.55.