Frontman Robert Smith is threatening a double album for The Cure’s next release and this one-off show from the goth-rock veterans was a similar test of endurance: 41 songs, three encores and three and a half hours on stage.

There were some inevitable lulls during their marathon set, but I left with a renewed sense of just how powerful their miserabilist music can be.

At 48, Smith was still immediately recognisable with his shapeless outfit and distressed hair. However, the fortysomething male fans have grown out of any Eighties penchant for black eyeliner and nail varnish.

Smith’s band had a major influence on US alternative rock acts such as Arcade Fire. This was a reminder that no one can top The Cure for gloomy grandeur, though, and guitarist Porl Thompson had an impressive palette of effects, switching from murky rock to melodic pop.

Surprisingly, Smith unveiled only a couple of songs — both decent enough — destined for their 13th album. It made you wonder why The Cure were playing this one-off, their first UK gig in two years. Tax, perhaps, or just studio tedium.

At least it meant we got a generous set with clusters of hits. Pictures of You, described by Smith as a “country and western song to lift the atmosphere”, was followed by the giddy brilliance of Lullaby.

Approaching the halfway mark, Friday I’m In Love and In Between Days got a joyous reaction. But even that was surpassed by the churning post-punk of A Forest, which had the crowd clapping along wildly. After the second encore, including The Lovecats and a strange reworking of Why Can’t I Be You?, Smith looked exhausted.

But he returned for seven more songs including their Camusinspired debut single, Killing An Arab. Thirty years on, The Cure sounded as vital as ever.