It’s a Saturday evening in the capital and the atmosphere inside London’s O2 Arena crackles with anticipation as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds prepare to take the stage. For those who know Cave’s work, there’s a quiet, yet undeniable sense that something monumental is about to unfold tonight.
All eyes are on Cave as he strides on to the stage with his presence as magnetic as ever. At 67, Cave has mastered the art of transcending mere performance; what we’re about to witness is more of a communion — a visceral exchange between artist and audience, rooted in the power of his words and the intensity of his music.
Opening with ‘Frogs’ from the latest album ‘Wild God’, which is closely followed by the title track, Cave exchanges duties between piano and engaging with the crowd on his customary platform that runs the length of the front barrier. Cave’s voice charged with emotion — cuts through the massive arena – and behind him, The Bad Seeds (including Warren Ellis) musicianship is remarkable, each contributing to the haunting and beautiful soundscape.
‘The Wild God Tour’ leans, as expected, towards the new material but carefully mixes in the favourites, seamlessly shifting from ‘Song of The Lake’ to the tender beauty of ‘O Children’. The O2’s cavernous expanse doesn’t diminish the depth being delivered; Cave makes it feel very personal. The rendition of ‘Jubilee Street’, sees the crowd sing along with fervour and a collective exhalation of lust, loss and yearning that the song induces.
Cave is never one to shy away from the darkness that pervades his work, but there’s a sense of lightness too — a sharp wit that cracks through the shadows. Between songs, he engages the audience with dry humour, sharp as ever teasing a fan with a Radiohead hoodie whilst looking straight to current bassist Colin Greenwood.
As the set nears its end, we hear the infamous chime that begins ‘Red Right Hand’ the crowd were immediately swept into a sea of swirling, sinister melodies. It’s a song that remains just as potent live as it does on record, with Cave’s voice—deep and velvety. With the crowd hanging on every word, The Bad Seeds break into ‘The Mercy Seat’ creating further immersion in to the stark poetry of Cave’s lyrics.
Tonight’s show is a reminder of why Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds remain one of the most important and enduring acts of today. With their unique blend of the poetic, the macabre, and the sublime, they transcend the typical live music experience. It’s an emotional journey and a celebration of the human condition.
