Jan 21, 2017

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ ICC Sydney Theatre

Nick Cave is truly an Australian music legend. His reputation as a performer and songwriter is immense and well held. Over many years he has thrilled us with his poetry and passion. Recently tragedy struck him when his son died in a shocking accident. After a period he returned to record an album of dark and stark beauty in 'Skeleton Tree'. Naturally there had been a time of laying low in the live arena. But now Cave and the Bad Seeds have returned triumphantly, touring Australia and playing 'Skeleton Tree' songs for the first time live.

Friday night in Sydney they played the brand spanking new ICC Sydney Theatre as part of Sydney Festival. It was our first time at the venue and I was impressed. It has a rather large front standing area and high arching seating behind. Large but still somewhat intimate. As for the show, well it was pretty amazing. They opened with the exquisite 'Anthrocene', with Cave sitting alone at the front of the stage. They would open with three 'Skeleton Tree' songs and in total they played all bar one on the night. They went down a treat but of course it was the older songs that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Especially for me the supremely hectic 'From Her to Eternity', it slayed totally. As did the epic 'Jubilee Street'. 'The Ship Song' was radiant beauty whilst 'The Mercy Seat' assaulted us with incessant anger. An encore was highlighted by a fire and brimstone 'Stagger Lee', rounding up a two hour plus show that had everyone enthralled. Cave is truly a magnetic performer. Intimidating and thrilling. He commands a stage like few performers ever have. We have seen him and the Bad Seeds a few times now. It surely won't be the last.

Set List
Anthrocene
Jesus Alone
Magneto
Higgs Boson Blues
From Her to Eternity
Tupelo
Jubilee Street
The Ship Song
Into My Arms
Girl in Amber
I Need You
Red Right Hand
The Mercy Seat
Distant Sky
Skeleton Tree

Mermaids
Jack the Ripper
Stagger Lee
People Ain't No Good
Push the Sky Away

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