Fame and Fan Behavior
The Cure’s Robert Smith has opened up about “obsessive fan behavior” and Chappell Roane’s unexpected rise to celebrity in a recent interview.
The frontman shared his thoughts during an interview on the Abstract podcast with Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, marking the release of the band’s newest album, Songs Of A Lost World.
Insights on Modern Fame
While initially discussing his extensive music library, Smith noted that it would be “disingenuous” to claim he was engaged with Charli XCX’s summer album Brat or Chappell Roane’s debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess this year.
He expressed that those records didn’t cater to his tastes, adding, “it would be a little weird if I said, ‘Yeah, this is my favorite thing.'” However, he did recognize the artistic merit in their work, stating, “I think what they do as artists is really fantastic, but it would probably be dishonest if I said that’s what I listen to at home.”
Moreover, he acknowledged being aware of Roane before her rapid ascent to fame following her debut album release in 2023.
Roane has been candid about her journey with fame this year, addressing the normalization of extreme fan behavior, such as “stalking, online harassment, and being yelled at in public.” She mentioned, “I didn’t know it would be this bad.”
On Roan’s remarks about fame, Smith acknowledged the issue’s complexity, stating: “You want people to feel like they think they’re connecting with you, but that’s a thing in the modern world where there’s a sense of privilege. When we first started, this was not the case among fans.”
He elaborated, noting that they had no expectations as fans back in the day. “I, as a consumer, did not expect anything more. It was enough to see Alex Harvey or David Bowie. I didn’t expect to be able to hang out with them or really get to know them, although now it seems like that’s part of the deal.”
Smith also mentioned that as The Cure became more prominent, they encountered some “obsessive behavior from fans,” including instances of fans sleeping outside his home, which he found to be “quite threatening.”
Smith further commented on the challenges of fame, stating, “Do you think how you will react to this? Because in reality it’s impossible, you can’t be taught to react. And I think if you reach a celebrity position or success in a fairly quick period of time, you will have a harder time dealing with things because you don’t have the knowledge of how to handle a lower level.”
He reflected that it took years of touring and gaining experience before he felt equipped to deal with fame. “I had already developed it as part of who I was.”
Smith concluded that being famous while lacking enjoyment in one’s craft would be a dreadful existence, given the constant scrutiny and expectation for more from the public. “It’s a very strange thing.”
Earlier this year, Roan confronted a photographer at the 2024 MTV VMA Awards after he reportedly told her to “shut up!” She described the interaction as one of previous “disrespect” towards her.
In his conversation with Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, Smith also revisited the infamous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame interview from 2019, admitting he felt “bad” about it and sharing his thoughts on the song “4:13 Dream,” expressing his dissatisfaction with its outcome.
Songs Of A Lost World received a five-star review from NME which noted, “Merciless? Yes, but in the dark there’s always enough heart and richness of sound to hold you in and put these songs up there with The Cure’s best.”
The album also made it onto NME‘s list of the best albums of the year, while the lead single “Alone” featured in NME‘s best songs of 2024. “Alone ends a 16-year drought and proves that The Cure have lost none of their magic. Featuring swirling synths and cinematic instrumentation combined with Robert Smith’s poignant lyricism and melodies, this epic is a masterpiece of ethereal beauty and raw emotional depth. It stands as one of their most exciting songs to date.”
In addition, Roane’s track “Good Luck, Babe” was recently declared NME‘s best song of 2024. With “Good Luck, Babe!” Roan aimed to create “a big pop anthem,” and the recording highlighted her ability to reveal the truth to someone who is fervently trying to deny their uniqueness.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cures-robert-smith-talks-obsessive-fan-behaviour-and-chappell-roan-its-horrible-being-gawped-at-all-the-time-3823730?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-cures-robert-smith-talks-obsessive-fan-behaviour-and-chappell-roan-its-horrible-being-gawped-at-all-the-time
