The Cure had been gradually building their US fan base when they embarked on their third American tour to promote their 1984 studio release, The Top. This recording was made on that tour, and features the band during their most defining musical period. Coming off the success of hits like "Let's Go To Bed" and "Boys Don't Cry," Robert Smith and the band had finally come to the point where they could take The Cure's eccentric, characteristically dark sound and combine it with a more radio-friendly approach.