The Australian band brought their spirit down to Leeds as they kicked off the U.K leg of their European ‘Wild God’ album tour with a sprawling set.
Photo: Megan Cullen
The Bad Seeds opened with the lead singles from their latest record (‘Frogs’ and title track ‘Wild God’) before reeling off a mixture of recent and legacy material with the verve and gusto of a band 30 years their junior.
Enigmatic frontman Nick Cave, his vampiric figure slinking across the stage like a bat recently touched by divinity, slid in front of his piano to usher in the first of several classic hits from his back catalogue. ‘O Children’ (which will be familiar to fans of Harry and Hermione’s Deathly Hallows dance scene) was followed by a raucous rendition of another favourite; ‘Jubilee Street’ from 2013’s Push the Sky Away.
The Aussie icon’s voice fluctuated between the gruff angst of ‘From Her to Eternity’ and the delicate weariness of ‘Long Dark Night’, another track from the new L.P. Whilst much of the album grapples with Cave’s relationship with faith, it was the Victoria-born songwriter who cut a christ-like Wild God figure – clasping the outstretched hands of his disciples as they begged for a serenade.
Wild God Nick Cave stands before his adoring disciples in the First Direct Arena. (Photo: Jonny Holmes)
It was in this guise that Nick and his gospel choir performed the show highlight ‘Conversion’, a sprawling chamber epic that threatened to unravel into a flaming rock ‘n’ roll sermon. Preaching to the converted, the Seeds broke into Peaky Blinders theme tune ‘Red Right Hand’, during which Cave cemented his relationship with the frenzied crowd by bellowing “This is f****** Leeds!” in his trademark baritone snarl. The vampire had done his homework – the First Direct erupted.
Returning alone after a couple of encores, the legendary crooner closed the show with a tear-jerker in the form of 1997’s ‘Into My Arms’. The heartfelt ballad provoked a mass sing-along that, after more than 2 magical hours, sent those in attendance home with warmth in their hearts:
“The songs took you away on a journey and it was so lovely when the audience joined in.” said lifelong Cave fan Kerry. “I was really pleased that he played Jubilee Street, my favourite song!”
Jonathan, another Bad Seeds devotee, pointed out the band’s ability to connect with the crowd: “Leeds got him and he got Leeds. It was almost spiritual.”
The tour will see further shows in Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, London, Dublin and Birmingham before wrapping up in Paris on the 17th of November.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds played:
Frogs
Wild God
Song of the Lake
O Children
Jubilee Street
From Her to Eternity
Long Dark Night
Cinnamon Horses
Tupelo
Conversion
Bright Horses
Joy
I Need You
Carnage
Final Rescue Attempt
Red Right Hand
The Mercy Seat
White Elephant
Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry
The Weeping Song
Into My Arms