Concert preview: For fans of The Cure, Friday show will be Just Like Heaven

It seemed like the change happened overnight.

As much as anyone can be considered "normal-looking," the two girls from the row ahead in junior high pre-algebra class were it. Until, that is, the day they showed up dressed in black shirts, black pants, black boots, their hair dyed black, their fingernails painted black, their faces powdered white …

Except, of course, for the heavy eyeliner, which was — you got it — black.

"Hey, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but what's with the new look?"

"We like The Cure."

Many of the "goth kids" of yesteryear may have their own kids these days, and their all-black outfits have long since been mothballed, but what hasn't changed in the intervening time is, they still like The Cure.

And on Friday, they're in love.

That is, after all, when Robert Smith & Co. will be playing a sold-out show at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.

Actually, for many Cure fans, "like," in this case, is a polite euphemism for "unapologetically obsessed with," used in casual conversations with the uninitiated to cut down on the number of dumbfounded stares received in response.

There's simply no point trying to discuss the impact of the addition of longtime Bowie guitarist and collaborator Reeves Gabrels to the lineup with someone when the extent of their knowledge of the band is that "Boys Don't Cry" is "a pretty good song."

How can someone like that properly appreciate that, on this tour — a 33-show, 26-city trek that is the band's first major North American run since 2008 — The Cure are frequently playing songs like "Exploding Boy," which had been excluded from setlists for three decades? Or the rarely-performed "Cold" from the "Pornography" album? Or lesser-known gems such as "Burn," which was recorded for "The Crow" soundtrack? Or that, within the last week or so, they performed encore-staple "A Forest" for the 1,000th time?

If you "like" The Cure, you get it.

Friday night at the Maverik Center, black will again be the color du jour for attendees' ensembles. To those who don't know any better, the scene might resemble something funereal; in actuality it is merely a simple means to a universal declaration:

"We like The Cure."

And Smith, knowing who he is dealing with, will recognize the euphemism, and can rest assured in the knowledge that, with these people, whatever words he says …

They will always love him.

ewalden@sltrib.com

Twitter: @esotericwalden —

The Cure

With special guest The Twilight Sad.

When • Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.

Where • Maverik Center: 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City

Tickets • Sold out