{"id":2052853,"date":"2026-07-20T13:15:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T10:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052853"},"modified":"2026-07-20T13:15:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T10:15:38","slug":"the-cure-and-dogstar-close-out-a-weekend-of-magic-and-mayhem-at-electric-castle-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052853","title":{"rendered":"The Cure and Dogstar close out a weekend of magic and mayhem at Electric Castle 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Robert-Bumbes-for-Electric-Castle.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">The Cure and Dogstar close out a weekend of magic and mayhem at Electric Castle 2026<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>After four days of non-stop partying, the Transylvanian festival has wrapped up for another year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Laura Molloy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T14:15:38+01:00\">20th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Robert-Bumbes-for-Electric-Castle-696x442.jpg\" alt title=\"The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT_ Robert Bumbes for Electric Castle\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Robert Bumbes for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><em>In partnership with Electric Castle\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Words:\u00a0<\/strong>David Renshaw and Laura Molloy<\/p>\n<p>Electric Castle Festival has drawn to a close for another year, after four days straight of 24-hour music and partying. This year, we\u2019ve seen Twenty One Pilots crowdsurfing, Sleaford Mods surprising us with high-octane remixes, Teddy Swims covering rock greats and Yung Lean celebrating his 30th birthday in the grounds of a Transylvanian castle. It\u2019d been one to remember, to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>As well as all that, we\u2019ve danced the night away to a truly eclectic selection of DJ sets that have taken us on a trip around the world, with everything from Afro house, Latin beats, Italian disco and classic electronic hits.<\/p>\n<p>For a more detailed recap of how the weekend went down, find our picks from day one here, day two here, day three here and day four down below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958038\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958038\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Andrei-Ionescu-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Andrei Ionescu for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>The Cure make it 1-0 to music<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Electric Castle bosses gave festival-goers a simple choice on the final night \u2013 The Cure or the World Cup final (which was shown away from the main stage on a giant screen). Robert Smith clearly wasn\u2019t bothered to be missing the big game. He pre-empted Wayne Rooney\u2019s withering opinion on FIFA\u2019s glitzy half-time show featuring Justin Bieber and Madonna with a simple \u201cplease just fuck off\u201d. Even if he hadn\u2019t been on stage, he clearly would have turned his TV off for half an hour.<\/p>\n<p>Those who chose goth rock over Argentine shithousery were rewarded with a set filled with classic hits and stunningly innate atmosphere. Arriving on stage to the sound of rainfall (piped into speakers \u2013 the Romanian weather is glorious), The Cure explored their vast catalogue with a two-hour set that showcased their ability to delight and surprise in equal measure.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958022\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958022\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958022\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958022\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bassist Simon Gallup was back on stage following a recent bout of ill-health while his son, Eden, was also among the band\u2019s ranks, making the night a family affair. Frontman Robert Smith, meanwhile, kept his interactions to a minimum, mainly thanking the audience with a simple, \u201cMerci.\u201d Acknowledging his use of French, he later added, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t work, but I\u2019m going to keep saying it. It works somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Instead, Smith let the music do the talking with a set that zig-zagged through eras and moods. There were extended forays into 1985 album \u2018The Head On The Door\u2019 (\u2018A Night Like This\u2019, \u2018In Between Days\u2019 and \u2018Push\u2019) as well as 1989\u2019s \u2018Disintegration\u2019 (\u2018Lovesong\u2019 and \u2018Lullaby\u2019).<\/p>\n<p>Playing just their second ever show in Romania, and their first since 2019, The Cure also found time to dust off a few of their lesser-known songs. The band clicked into gear to play \u2018Secrets\u2019, a rarely-played deep cut from 1980\u2019s \u2018Seventeen Seconds\u2019 which has only been performed a handful of times in recent years, while \u2018alt.end\u2019, a track first featured on their self-titled 2004 album, was also given an airing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958026\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958026\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Diana-Buznea-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Diana Buznea for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Smith picked up his Cure-branded guitar throughout the set as the band ran through singalong hits including \u2018In Between Days\u2019 and \u2018Just Like Heaven\u2019, the latter causing pandemonium in the huge crowd.<\/p>\n<p>By the time the encore rolled around, The Cure were flying high. \u2018The Lovecats\u2019, \u2018Friday I\u2019m In Love\u2019 and \u2018Close To Me\u2019 provided a perfect encore and once again underlined Smith\u2019s standing as one of the finest songwriters in history.<\/p>\n<p>In his trademark miserabilist style, Smith noted prior to set-closer \u2018Boys Don\u2019t Cry\u2019 that, \u201cIt\u2019s the end of a long weekend. We will go home happy. Is that the idea?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maybe somewhere Gianni Infantino is watching and decides this kind of sulking magic works and that he should book The Cure for the next World Cup half-time show. Roll on 2030. (DR)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Just Mustard bewitch Transylvania with dreamy noise rock<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Last year, Just Mustard vocalist Katie Ball told <em>NME<\/em>\u00a0that opening for The Cure made them \u201cwant to write more songs for people to dance and sing along to \u2013 to have a discernible melodic core\u201c. So, it\u2019s only right that their place on the line-up today comes mere hours ahead of the goth icons taking to the main stage. Due to a cancellation from Wet Leg, Just Mustard have been bumped up from the cosy, tree-lined backyard stage to the ominous metal structure of the Hangar, which seems a more apt home for their all-consuming brand of gloomy, noise rock, anyway.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958032\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958032\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958032\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Just-Mustard-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958032\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just Mustard perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Though the sun shines outside, the Hangar is enshrouded in a darkness that serves to intensify the jagged, dream pop that unfolds the moment they take to the stage and burst into \u2018Seven\u2019 \u2013 Ball gazing out at the crowd with her signature deadpan stare.<\/p>\n<p>Despite their nonchalant performance style, the set is engulfed in moments of chaos and urgency \u2013 one drum break causes a fan standing in front of\u00a0<em>NME<\/em> to jump out of their skin, while the drone from the bass seems to rattle the entire ground.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958034\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958034\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958034\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Just-Mustard-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle-1.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958034\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just Mustard perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Moments of lightness come in the form of \u2018Frank\u2019, which sees the stage lit up with a constellation of twinkling, lo-fi stars as Ball\u2019s genuinely mesmerising voice floats above the darkness, and \u2018Dandylion\u2019, which offers a welcomed dose of euphoria. It\u2019s no wonder they\u2019ve found fans in the likes of Fontaines D.C. \u2013 we can bet there are a few more converts in the crowd at Electric Castle, too. (LM)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Dogstar soundtrack the sunset with melodic rock<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another last-minute line-up change sees Dogstar bumped up from the Hangar to the open air of the main stage, where Keanu Reeves (yes, that Keanu Reeves) and co. take on the bittersweet task of soundtracking Electric Castle\u2019s final sunset of 2026. They sound every bit suited to their new location \u2013 sharp and searing as they sail through a set that begins in Transylvania and takes us \u201cfrom San Francisco to Tokyo\u201d, ( as frontman Bret Domrose jokes in between \u2018The Whisper\u2019 and \u2018Exhalted\u2019).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958037\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958037\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dogstar-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Popa-Andrei-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dogstar perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Popa Andrei for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As well as closing out a weekend of mayhem here at Electric Castle, Dogstar\u2019s set also marks the very end of their own six-week European tour, which came in support of their recent album \u2018All In Now\u2019. \u201cI can\u2019t think of a better way to spend it than a beautiful night with you guys,\u201d Domrose says as the final streaks of pink and orange fade from the sky and Banffy Castle becomes engulfed in darkness. \u201cWe\u2019ve loved every minute of it, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958035\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958035\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958035\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dogstar-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Theodor-Tudose-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958035\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dogstar perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Theodor Tudose for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dogstar\u2019s first life spanned between 1991 and 2002, before the COVID lockdowns saw the trio pick up their instruments once again for the first time in almost 20 years. Their set tonight consists of music from this new iteration of the band, with the biggest reactions even coming from the funky \u2018Math\u2019 and the smooth dreaminess of \u2018Siren\u2019 from the latest record. Melodic and masterful, it\u2019s the perfect way to see out the last few moments of a truly magical festival. (LM)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Alternative<\/li>\n<li>Dogstar<\/li>\n<li>Just Mustard<\/li>\n<li>Keanu Reeves<\/li>\n<li>Pop<\/li>\n<li>Robert Smith<\/li>\n<li>Rock<\/li>\n<li>The Cure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Yard Act \u2013 \u2018You\u2019re Gonna Need A Little Music\u2019 review: Leeds lads hone in on their truest form<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Minneapolis shoegazers She\u2019s Green are playing the long game<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Finn Wolfhard on his first post-\u2019Stranger Things\u2019 album: \u201cThese songs are less personal and more about characters\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway have god-tier concert histories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">How \u2018Lord Of The Rings\u2019, \u2018Minecraft\u2019 and dungeon crawler games inspired Au\/Ra\u2019s \u201chopecore\u201d alt-pop debut<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-custom_ad_1  tdi_94 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_95\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_96  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_98  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_100  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_102  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_105 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_105\">\n<div id=\"tdi_105\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Tributes paid after death of influential soul singer Ray King \u2013 who inspired the ska and 2 Tone movement<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Rush reportedly in talks for a Las Vegas Sphere residency<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Liam Gallagher responds to fan\u2019s request for new Oasis album<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Film News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Twenty One Pilots announce global watch party for new live film \u2018More Than We Ever Imagined\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The Cure bring big hits and rare gems to Electric Castle 2026 finale<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Jay Jay French says fans will \u201cultimately decide\u201d verdict on Sebastian Bach as Twisted Sister\u2019s new vocalist<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><em>In partnership with Electric Castle\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Words:\u00a0<\/strong>David Renshaw and Laura Molloy<\/p>\n<p>Electric Castle Festival has drawn to a close for another year, after four days straight of 24-hour music and partying. This year, we\u2019ve seen Twenty One Pilots crowdsurfing, Sleaford Mods surprising us with high-octane remixes, Teddy Swims covering rock greats and Yung Lean celebrating his 30th birthday in the grounds of a Transylvanian castle. It\u2019d been one to remember, to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>As well as all that, we\u2019ve danced the night away to a truly eclectic selection of DJ sets that have taken us on a trip around the world, with everything from Afro house, Latin beats, Italian disco and classic electronic hits.<\/p>\n<p>For a more detailed recap of how the weekend went down, find our picks from day one here, day two here, day three here and day four down below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958038\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958038\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Andrei-Ionescu-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Andrei Ionescu for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>The Cure make it 1-0 to music<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Electric Castle bosses gave festival-goers a simple choice on the final night \u2013 The Cure or the World Cup final (which was shown away from the main stage on a giant screen). Robert Smith clearly wasn\u2019t bothered to be missing the big game. He pre-empted Wayne Rooney\u2019s withering opinion on FIFA\u2019s glitzy half-time show featuring Justin Bieber and Madonna with a simple \u201cplease just fuck off\u201d. Even if he hadn\u2019t been on stage, he clearly would have turned his TV off for half an hour.<\/p>\n<p>Those who chose goth rock over Argentine shithousery were rewarded with a set filled with classic hits and stunningly innate atmosphere. Arriving on stage to the sound of rainfall (piped into speakers \u2013 the Romanian weather is glorious), The Cure explored their vast catalogue with a two-hour set that showcased their ability to delight and surprise in equal measure.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958022\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958022\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958022\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958022\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bassist Simon Gallup was back on stage following a recent bout of ill-health while his son, Eden, was also among the band\u2019s ranks, making the night a family affair. Frontman Robert Smith, meanwhile, kept his interactions to a minimum, mainly thanking the audience with a simple, \u201cMerci.\u201d Acknowledging his use of French, he later added, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t work, but I\u2019m going to keep saying it. It works somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Instead, Smith let the music do the talking with a set that zig-zagged through eras and moods. There were extended forays into 1985 album \u2018The Head On The Door\u2019 (\u2018A Night Like This\u2019, \u2018In Between Days\u2019 and \u2018Push\u2019) as well as 1989\u2019s \u2018Disintegration\u2019 (\u2018Lovesong\u2019 and \u2018Lullaby\u2019).<\/p>\n<p>Playing just their second ever show in Romania, and their first since 2019, The Cure also found time to dust off a few of their lesser-known songs. The band clicked into gear to play \u2018Secrets\u2019, a rarely-played deep cut from 1980\u2019s \u2018Seventeen Seconds\u2019 which has only been performed a handful of times in recent years, while \u2018alt.end\u2019, a track first featured on their self-titled 2004 album, was also given an airing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958026\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958026\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Diana-Buznea-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Diana Buznea for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Smith picked up his Cure-branded guitar throughout the set as the band ran through singalong hits including \u2018In Between Days\u2019 and \u2018Just Like Heaven\u2019, the latter causing pandemonium in the huge crowd.<\/p>\n<p>By the time the encore rolled around, The Cure were flying high. \u2018The Lovecats\u2019, \u2018Friday I\u2019m In Love\u2019 and \u2018Close To Me\u2019 provided a perfect encore and once again underlined Smith\u2019s standing as one of the finest songwriters in history.<\/p>\n<p>In his trademark miserabilist style, Smith noted prior to set-closer \u2018Boys Don\u2019t Cry\u2019 that, \u201cIt\u2019s the end of a long weekend. We will go home happy. Is that the idea?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maybe somewhere Gianni Infantino is watching and decides this kind of sulking magic works and that he should book The Cure for the next World Cup half-time show. Roll on 2030. (DR)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Just Mustard bewitch Transylvania with dreamy noise rock<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Last year, Just Mustard vocalist Katie Ball told <em>NME<\/em>\u00a0that opening for The Cure made them \u201cwant to write more songs for people to dance and sing along to \u2013 to have a discernible melodic core\u201c. So, it\u2019s only right that their place on the line-up today comes mere hours ahead of the goth icons taking to the main stage. Due to a cancellation from Wet Leg, Just Mustard have been bumped up from the cosy, tree-lined backyard stage to the ominous metal structure of the Hangar, which seems a more apt home for their all-consuming brand of gloomy, noise rock, anyway.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958032\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958032\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958032\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Just-Mustard-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958032\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just Mustard perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Though the sun shines outside, the Hangar is enshrouded in a darkness that serves to intensify the jagged, dream pop that unfolds the moment they take to the stage and burst into \u2018Seven\u2019 \u2013 Ball gazing out at the crowd with her signature deadpan stare.<\/p>\n<p>Despite their nonchalant performance style, the set is engulfed in moments of chaos and urgency \u2013 one drum break causes a fan standing in front of\u00a0<em>NME<\/em> to jump out of their skin, while the drone from the bass seems to rattle the entire ground.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958034\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958034\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958034\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Just-Mustard-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Miluta-Flueras-for-Electric-Castle-1.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958034\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just Mustard perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Miluta Flueras for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Moments of lightness come in the form of \u2018Frank\u2019, which sees the stage lit up with a constellation of twinkling, lo-fi stars as Ball\u2019s genuinely mesmerising voice floats above the darkness, and \u2018Dandylion\u2019, which offers a welcomed dose of euphoria. It\u2019s no wonder they\u2019ve found fans in the likes of Fontaines D.C. \u2013 we can bet there are a few more converts in the crowd at Electric Castle, too. (LM)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Dogstar soundtrack the sunset with melodic rock<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another last-minute line-up change sees Dogstar bumped up from the Hangar to the open air of the main stage, where Keanu Reeves (yes, that Keanu Reeves) and co. take on the bittersweet task of soundtracking Electric Castle\u2019s final sunset of 2026. They sound every bit suited to their new location \u2013 sharp and searing as they sail through a set that begins in Transylvania and takes us \u201cfrom San Francisco to Tokyo\u201d, ( as frontman Bret Domrose jokes in between \u2018The Whisper\u2019 and \u2018Exhalted\u2019).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958037\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958037\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dogstar-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Popa-Andrei-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dogstar perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Popa Andrei for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As well as closing out a weekend of mayhem here at Electric Castle, Dogstar\u2019s set also marks the very end of their own six-week European tour, which came in support of their recent album \u2018All In Now\u2019. \u201cI can\u2019t think of a better way to spend it than a beautiful night with you guys,\u201d Domrose says as the final streaks of pink and orange fade from the sky and Banffy Castle becomes engulfed in darkness. \u201cWe\u2019ve loved every minute of it, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3958035\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3958035\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3958035\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dogstar-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Theodor-Tudose-for-Electric-Castle.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3958035\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dogstar perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Theodor Tudose for Electric Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dogstar\u2019s first life spanned between 1991 and 2002, before the COVID lockdowns saw the trio pick up their instruments once again for the first time in almost 20 years. Their set tonight consists of music from this new iteration of the band, with the biggest reactions even coming from the funky \u2018Math\u2019 and the smooth dreaminess of \u2018Siren\u2019 from the latest record. Melodic and masterful, it\u2019s the perfect way to see out the last few moments of a truly magical festival. (LM)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/the-cure-and-dogstar-close-out-a-weekend-of-magic-and-mayhem-at-electric-castle-2026-3957905&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Cure-perform-at-Electric-Castle-2026.-CREDIT_-Robert-Bumbes-for-Electric-Castle.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News The Cure and Dogstar close out a weekend of magic and mayhem at Electric Castle 2026 After four days of non-stop partying, the Transylvanian festival has wrapped up for another year By Laura Molloy 20th July 2026 The Cure perform at Electric Castle 2026. CREDIT: Robert Bumbes for Electric Castle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2052853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2052853"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052853\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2052853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2052853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2052853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}