Nick Cave @ The Plenary, Melbourne (16/12/2014)
Nick Cave is an enigma; a prophet whom rather than proclaims the will of God, advocates his own agenda with a visionary and poetic finesse. His lyricism and technical proficiency across a nigh on infinite scope of instruments is near unrivaled.
His presence and mannerisms wash over the crowd, bathing them in a dark yet ministerial sermon. Cave, flanked by Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey, Thomas Wydler and Barry Adamson of The Bad Seeds, provided a performance of incredible musical prowess; the creative implication of which was a concoction of instruments of biblical proportions. The performance itself, as I’ve already gushed, was nothing short of phenomenal. |
The setlist flowed wonderfully, including signature pieces
such as ‘Red Right Hand’ and ‘Jubilee Street’, the sound was succinct
and clear, and Cave himself gave fantastic and relaxed performance and
lives up to everything you’ve ever heard about him. Unfortunately,
however, my opinion on the event in its entirety is tainted by the
unruly and, oftentimes, disgusting crowd whom I found made the evening
almost unbearable. It’s hard to appreciate the beauty of 'Into My Arms'
with an array of sweaty and bumbling fans, screaming and carrying on all
in an effort to get to front and clutch even just the cuff of Cave’s
(stylish) trousers. The crowd seemed very divided, half the quiet,
intellectual types whom wanted to sit and appreciate the music, the
other half a raucous lot whom were pushy (some sleazy) and forced their
way to the front, obscuring the view of every single person whom had
paid good money to obtain a seat where they should have been guaranteed a
good view of the legend in action. Unfortunately for them, not only did
they not receive a good view, but many did not receive a view at all.
As the crowd pushed, it was hard to escape amidst the swell of bodies
swarming from the furthest corners of the Plenary. I myself did not
actually get a glimpse of the man himself until a good five songs into the
set, when I was finally able to make my way to the back of the venue, away from my seat in the fifth row.
It is very disheartening to see such a talented musician, whom I’d been so excited to see, lost in a swarm of poor etiquette. What I saw of the gig I can assure you was phenomenal, and I would never forsake the opportunity to see Nick Cave again. Especially in connection with The Bad Seeds in their entirety, as Warren Ellis is a spectacular musician. However, next time I will be going in with a very different mindset and with my guard drawn. It’s a terrible shame that something that as trivial as the atmosphere put such a dampener on what had the potential to be such a spiritual evening.
Cave’s poetry is entrancing, and frightening, powerful and beautiful, and his deep yet cool delivery carries his words across the sea of cinematic sound.
Holly Parker
It is very disheartening to see such a talented musician, whom I’d been so excited to see, lost in a swarm of poor etiquette. What I saw of the gig I can assure you was phenomenal, and I would never forsake the opportunity to see Nick Cave again. Especially in connection with The Bad Seeds in their entirety, as Warren Ellis is a spectacular musician. However, next time I will be going in with a very different mindset and with my guard drawn. It’s a terrible shame that something that as trivial as the atmosphere put such a dampener on what had the potential to be such a spiritual evening.
Cave’s poetry is entrancing, and frightening, powerful and beautiful, and his deep yet cool delivery carries his words across the sea of cinematic sound.
Holly Parker