WORDS AND IMAGES PAUL EVANS
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are one of music’s most enigmatic and influential bands and are known for their visceral sonic landscapes, profound lyricism and unflinching exploration of life’s darker edges. Emerging from the ashes of Nick Cave’s post-punk 80s band The Birthday Party the band have transformed, absorbing new influences and sounds while expanding its lineup with guitarist and violinist Warren Ellis becoming Cave’s closest collaborator. Together, they have crafted some of the most profound music with Cave’s singular artistic vision a constant anchor. They are rightly celebrated as pioneers whose work transcends genre boundaries, their legacy defined by fearless exploration of the human experience, blending poetry, spirituality, and raw emotion into music that is both challenging and deeply moving. The bands live performances are renowned for their intensity, with Cave’s charismatic stage presence drawing audiences into a shared experience of catharsis and communion. Manchester, this should be special.
Throughout their career, the band have cultivated a deeply devoted and diverse fan base and as the lights dim in Manchester’s cavernous 25,000-seater AO Arena, a hush sweeps across those lucky to be here as Cave steps onstage, his shadow larger than life against the digital backdrops. Opening with the haunting and atmospheric “Frogs,” the swirl of moody reds, blues and rumbling bass set a dark, almost foreboding mood, his multiple musicians allowing his gravelly and tender voice to shine. He stands centre stage, his words drawing the audience into his twisted and beautiful world before walking across the ecstatic crowd singing and reaching out with his hand, creating an almost spiritual connection. It’s an auspicious start and as Cave moves behind a piano, we’re led through the stormy, biblical “Wild God” invoking further imagery of a god untamed and primal. Warren Ellis’s masterful guitar playing and gospel backing set a turbulent underlying tone channelling the chaotic energies of the song, balancing a frantic edge with moments of startling clarity. The synergy between Cave and the band is electric, each feeding off the other in a seamless musical exchange that elevates the performance to ethereal heights. As Cave returns to marauding outstretched hands the music and impassioned vocals seem an intense invocation, almost primal in their raw energy.
The intensity continues with “Song of the Lake”, Cave’s lyrics swirl with mystery and melancholy, revealing a gentler, more introspective tone. narrating like a ghostly figure from a foggy shoreline. It’s a masterful performance of dark romance and poetic angst contrasting starkly with the primal energy of the previous songs. Cave’s ability to shift from fury to calm in moments is on full display, a testament to his emotional range. The crowd fully engrossed, sway gently as the gentle chords of “O Children” echo across the venue, the song’s soulful chorus swirls like wind over water continuing the gentler, but deeply poignant theme. “From Her to Eternity” is marked by its haunting, hypnotic rhythm with Cave’s growling vocals, adding to the song’s sinister undertones. It feels like an invitation into Cave’s darker realms, the crowd riveted, transported to the shadowy depths that make up his lyricism. “Long Dark Night” and “Cinnamon Horses” continue this descent, both songs rich in emotional intensity. Cave’s stage presence is hypnotic, every gesture, every gaze seeming to reveal a piece of his soul.
As the show progresses, Cave brings the crowd back further to his roots with “Tupelo”, “Red Right Hand” and “The Mercy Seat”. “Tupelo”, the stormy, apocalyptic ode to Elvis’s birthplace sees Cave at his most charismatic and commanding, drawing on the song’s apocalyptic narrative and delivering it with fierce conviction. Cave’s delivery is tender, almost reverent, as he sings of hope amidst darkness. The arena reverberates with the beat, while the crowd, hanging on every word, join in the chant-like refrain. Cave seems to feed off the energy, his movements almost preacher-like, delivering a musical sermon to entrance his followers. The instantly recognisable bass line of “Red Right Hand” has everyone cheering and Cave leans into the song’s dark humour. His performance seems playful yet menacing, embodying the iconic anti-hero that has made this song a classic. “The Mercy Seat” brings the night to fever pitch, the band’s powerful, relentless rendition a masterclass in controlled chaos. Cave’s vocal delivery is fervent, almost desperate, while Ellis’s backing intensifies with every verse, driving the crowd into a state of exhilaration. It’s a cathartic performance, a raw release that leaves you both shaken and elated. “Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry” is delivered with a mix of defiance and intimacy while the bittersweet ballad “The Weeping Song” creates a sense of shared melancholy before the glorious final song of the night.
“Into My Arms” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad, expressing profound longing, vulnerability and resonates on a spiritual level without being explicitly religious. It’s simply one of the best songs of the last 40 years. With just a piano and alone on stage, Cave’s voice conveys a deep emotional depth that feels intensely personal the line “I don’t believe in an interventionist God” setting the tone for an intimate conversation with a loved one, balancing love and doubt with remarkable grace. Tonight, the aching piano melody and tender, heartfelt delivery has an understated power elevating the song to a transcendent level. As the crowd sing the chorus the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I feel my eyes moisten. It’s one of the most profound and emotional moments I’ve ever felt in 40 years of gig going. It’s a moment that perfectly captivates the song’s pure beauty and that special connection we all have with music. As the final note hang in the air the crowd erupt into a standing ovation, many visibly moved.
It’s been a voyage through darkness and light tonight, a testament to Cave’s genius and the unparalleled artistry of The Bad Seeds, with Warren Ellis a true force of nature by his side. Known for his magnetic stage presence, Cave has proved yet again why he is one of music’s most enigmatic performers. From the moment he stepped on stage, dressed in his iconic dark suit, the audience has been captivated, hanging on every lyric and melody that resonated through the arena. It has been a truly exceptional night and one I won’t ever forget.
SETLIST
1/ Frogs
2/ Wild God
3/ Song of the Lake
4/ O Children
5/ Jubilee Street
6/ From Her to Eternity
7/ Long Dark Night
8/ Cinnamon Horses
9/ Tupelo
10/ Conversion
11/ Bright Horses
12/ Joy
13/ I Need You
14/ Carnage
15/ Final Rescue Attempt
16/ Red Right Hand
17/ The Mercy Seat
18/ White Elephant
19 Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry
20/ The Weeping Song
21/ Into My Arms
FOLLOW NICK CAVE
I’ve loved music since forever. Graphic designer, photographer and artist at painted.papillon.smile (www.ppsdesign.co.uk)
