The Cure Bassist Simon Gallup Out Sick, Son Eden Steps In for Berlin Three-Night Run

The Cure are in the middle of a busy summer touring schedule that includes stops at Primavera Sound, the Isle of Wight Festival, and Roskilde Festival. At the opening night of a three-night stand at Berlin's Parkbühne Wuhlheide on Thursday, July 10, longtime bassist Simon Gallup was absent due to sudden illness, with his son Eden Gallup stepping in on short notice.

What happened with Simon Gallup

Ahead of the show, frontman Robert Smith posted on Instagram to explain the situation: "Shortly before we went on stage for the first Berlin show last night, Simon was suddenly taken ill. His son Eden stepped in at the last minute and saved the show." Smith went on to confirm that Simon's recovery was not yet far enough along for him to perform, and that Eden would continue filling in for the remaining shows of the three-night run.

That night's opening song, "Lullaby," was dedicated to the absent Simon Gallup. Smith closed his Instagram post with: "Hope everyone can join in wishing Simon a speedy recovery — and thank you, Eden! Onward."

Robert Smith's busy summer of guest appearances

Smith has also been popping up on other artists' records this summer. He appears as a guitarist on the Rolling Stones' new album Foreign Tongues, on the track "Divine Intervention," released as a double A-side alongside "Jealous Lover."

Another collaboration has drawn wider attention: Smith features on Olivia Rodrigo's new album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so In Love, on the song "What's Wrong With Me." The track had its live debut on the Primavera Sound stage in Barcelona, where Rodrigo brought Smith out and told the crowd it was her "first-ever collaboration" — a moment she said meant a lot to her.