Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were simply mesmerising on their second night at the 3 Arena in Dublin 13th of November 2024, as part of their Wild God Tour.
The anticipation waiting for Nick and the band to come on stage was palpable. From the minute the embossed Wild God logo appeared on the two large screens adjacent to the stage the crowd were truly in Nick’s shamanic hands.
The band opened with Frogs and Wild God from the New Album Wild God, released on 30th August this year. The Four Magnificent Gospel Choir members, The Bad Seeds and Nick play with such enthusiasm and energy yet the climax during Wild God had everyone in the audience chanting “bring your spirit down” with rapture.
These opening songs were a clear indication of the mixed emotions we as an audience would experience for the entire set. Joy, sorrow, empathy, unity and sheer delight. Despite the size of the packed arena it was a totally immersive and intimate experience. Nick and the Bad Seeds played older tracks also such as the spine tingling O Children, a subtle tribute to the heart-breaking loss he has experienced in his life and “a song about a girl called Bee” – Jubilee Street.
Nick proceeded to walk up and down the stage often venturing out onto a platform which enabled him to connect physically with the front rows of adoring fans who gazed at him in awe with their arms outstretched. Nick would sing, converse and reach out and hold hands engaging his followers, Preacher like. On occasion he would lean onto the hands of his devoted fans who would hold him whilst he would continue to sing.
His dry wit was ever present as he joked with Warren Ellis who was consuming a banana whilst on stage and joked with a fan who was recording him on his phone, that his screen was sucking up his (Nick’s) soul and requested that he put his phone away and enjoy the performance. Also as he would entrust very willing fans with his microphone whilst he ran about the stage or grabbed the hands of his entranced fans.
Not to be outdone by Nicks’ powerful presence was Warren Ellis who was so consumed by the music that he was frantically playing his violin, guitar and keyboard with such gusto whilst using his chair to stand on or jump off mid performance. Yet his haunting vocals add such beauty to songs such as Cinnamon Horses and Bright Horses. Hearing both songs executed beautifully live was a spine chilling experience.
Nick’s solo performance of I Need You was as an emotionally provoking for the audience as it was for the great man himself. When the bells of Red Right Hand chimed, the crowd erupt with excitement. A red hue engulfed the stage and covered the audience. The audience and band became enthralled with Nick’s storytelling and chanted along to the lyrics.
The audience hungry for more, even after two hours, were enamoured and joyful to see Nick and the band reappear on stage for the Encore. The beautiful O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is) was introduced by Nick as a song about Anita Lane who was once a member of the band and also Nick’s partner during that period.
Nick explains that the voice on the track was a phone recording of Anita’s voice. White Elephant was an intense and gripping experience which saw Nick bring the Gospel Singers, who made their way to the front of the stage, walk onto the front platform with Nick to perform the song to an ecstatic audience. Nick brought a poignant end to the show with a solo performance of Into My Arms. The crowd raised their arms in solidarity listening intently overcome with emotion. This was the concert of the year for me!
Review by MPM
Photography by Andrew Whitton for MPM
