The Cure have announced a temporary lineup change, confirming that longtime bassist Simon Gallup is unable to perform due to an unspecified illness.
The band shared that Gallup fell ill shortly before one of their Berlin Wuhlheide concerts. His son Eden stepped in to cover bass duties. The announcement addressed both the circumstances of the change and the band’s hopes for his recovery.
“Shortly before the first of our three Berlin Wuhlheide concerts yesterday, Simon was taken ill,” the band said. “His son Eden shifted sideways to save the show — unfortunately Simon is still not well enough to play, so Eden will be filling the bass breach again tonight — We hope you will join us in wishing Simon the speediest of recoveries — and eden thanks!”
Eden Gallup’s last-minute substitution allowed the Berlin shows to proceed as planned. No further details regarding Simon Gallup’s condition or expected return have been shared at this time.
The situation adds an unexpected chapter to what has otherwise been a landmark run of European dates for the band. Gallup’s absence is felt most keenly given how central he has been to The Cure’s identity over the decades.
Simon Gallup has been The Cure’s bassist since 1979. His tenure spans the group’s entire rise from post-punk origins to global new wave icons, cementing his role as a cornerstone of their sound for nearly 50 years.
During the first Berlin show, the band dedicated their performance of “Lullaby” to Gallup. The gesture underscored the weight of his absence and the affection the group holds for their longtime bandmate. It was widely noted by fans in attendance as one of the more poignant moments of the evening.
Despite the disruption, The Cure delivered a 27-song set across the Berlin dates. Eden Gallup stepped into the role with little preparation and drew praise for holding the performances together. His willingness to step in at short notice kept the shows on track without any cancellations.
The Cure’s next scheduled concerts are in Athens, Greece, on July 14 and 15. Whether Simon Gallup will have recovered sufficiently to rejoin the band for those dates remains uncertain. No update on his condition has been issued ahead of the shows.
