Full Breakdown
Simon Gallup’s Illness Leads to Son Eden Filling In on The Cure’s European Tour
7/12/2026, 8:54:39 PM
Simon Gallup’s Illness and Eden Gallup’s Onstage Debut
During a three-show stint in Berlin, bassist Simon Gallup was unable to perform because he “was taken ill” shortly before the first concert at the Wuhlheide venue on July 10. To keep the show running, his son, Eden Gallup, stepped onto the stage and played bass for the remainder of the night. The band dedicated the encore’s opening song, “Lullaby,” to Simon and announced that Eden would continue covering the bass duties for the following performance.
Tour Context and Recent Band Activity
The Cure are currently on a UK and European tour supporting their 2024 release *Songs Of A Lost World*. The tour has included multiple dates across Germany, with the Berlin concerts forming a central part of the leg. In parallel, frontman Robert Smith has spoken about the band’s future output, noting that a follow-up to the 2024 album is complete and that another “poppy” record is in development. Smith’s recent collaborations include a duet with Olivia Rodrigo and contributions to the Rolling Stones’ upcoming album *Foreign Tongues*.
Official Statement from Robert Smith
Robert Smith addressed the situation on Instagram, confirming Simon’s illness and explaining Eden’s role in “saving the show.” He asked fans to wish Simon a swift recovery and thanked Eden for stepping in, emphasizing the band’s commitment to delivering the scheduled performances despite the setback.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Shortly before the first of our three Berlin Wuhlheide concerts yesterday, Simon was taken ill,” — Robert Smith, The Cure frontman
- “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.” — Robert Smith
- “We hope you will join us in wishing Simon the speediest of recoveries – And Eden thanks! – Onwards,” — Robert Smith
- “The frontman suggested that another two records may be arriving at some point, but ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ feels sufficient enough for the wait we’ve endured, just for being arguably the most personal album of Smith’s career. Mortality may loom, but there’s colour in the black and flowers on the grave.” — Robert Smith
What’s Next
Eden Gallup is slated to continue covering bass for the remaining dates of the Berlin engagement and subsequent shows on the tour, while the band monitors Simon Gallup’s health and plans for his eventual return to the stage.
