The Cure, Robert Smith collaborates again with Olivia Rodrigo: “Two memorable nights in the studio”

This is very much the age of cross-generational duets, a phenomenon we recently explored in this feature.

It doesn't end there: in particular, between Robert Smith and Olivia Rodrigo, the odd(est) couple “born” on the Glastonbury 2025 stage. The Cure frontman, in fact, revealed he spent “a couple of memorable nights in the studio” with the American singer-songwriter, openly praising her music.

It all began, precisely, during the latest Glastonbury Festival when, during her headline set, the American popstar introduced the Cure frontman as her “personal hero”: “I cannot contain my excitement for the next guest, he might be the greatest songwriter to ever come out of England,” revealed the “Sour” diva, before performing “Friday I'm In Love” and “Just Like Heaven” together with the Crawley imp. Not content with that, the indomitable Olivia released the two Cure songs sung with the English frontman as part of her live album “Live in Glastonbury”, with net proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders.

In a recent interview with British Vogue, Smith explained that he came to Rodrigo's music after hearing the single "Drivers License". From there he bought both of the singer's albums, "Sour" and "Guts", noting that, although they aren't records aimed at his own audience, their quality and songwriting make them hard not to appreciate.

The relationship between the two grew stronger after their shared experience at Glastonbury. Smith said they still keep in touch fairly regularly, including to talk about fashion, and hinted at the possibility of new collaborations: "We spent a couple of really memorable nights together in the studio. I'm curious to hear what she does next."

Meanwhile, Rodrigo is working on her third album, teased through a series of visual clues between Los Angeles and London. The singer has described the record as a collection of "sad love songs", born from the idea that the most effective romantic songs always carry an element of emotional tension, caught between desire and fear. London played a central role in the creative process: Rodrigo explained that she spent a lot of time in the British capital while making the album, and that several tracks reflect experiences she had there.

In 2025 the American singer also released live recordings of her duets with Smith as part of the “Live From Glastonbury 2025” project. Around the same time, she shared backstage photos from the festival, including candid shots together with the Cure frontman.

Rodrigo's musical influences are rooted in a family background tied to alternative and rock sounds: among the artists she's cited are No Doubt and White Stripes, alongside references to the Eighties and the Riot Grrrl movement. Rodrigo herself has also named New Order and Joy Division among her inspirations.

Over the past few months he has continued forging live collaborations with artists from all sorts of backgrounds, bringing out Weezer at Lollapalooza in Chicago and David Byrne at New York's Governors Ball.

On the recording front, Rodrigo took part in the “Help(2)” charity project in aid of War Child.

Meanwhile, the Cure have recently won their first Grammy Award for their 2024 album “Songs Of A Lost World”. Soon, moreover, the concert series curated by Smith for the Teenage Cancer Trust will kick off at the Royal Albert Hall, with a line-up featuring Garbage, Wolf Alice, Manic Street Preachers, Chvrches and My Bloody Valentine.

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