Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 1 February 2026
Alexandria Gardens-Naarm-Victoria
Nick Cave and his bands hold a unique space in my heart and soul. My first time seeing Nick perform was at their curated festival, All Tomorrow’s Parties, on Cockatoo Island in Sydney. It was a cool January night on Sydney Harbour, and the day was filled with music and friends. Nick and The Bad Seeds changed my mind about their music forever in 2009.
If only I had known what sort of performance Cave was famous for I would have made a different decision in 1984. 42 years ago, I was on my initial visit to Australia. I found myself in Melbourne, and I wanted to see some live music. Looking through the gig guide from the local paper showed me a feast of bands I had never heard of. In the early 80’s, Men At Work was one of the few Australian acts I knew of while living in Brooklyn.
I had narrowed it down to 2 bands. The Models were playing at a place called The Mud Club/Bar, I think. Nick Cave was playing one of his first gigs with The Bad Seeds. I used to tell this story, saying it was The Birthday Party, but according to historians, The Birthday Party played their final show at the Crystal Ballroom in St Kilda on 9 June 1983.
It was flip a coin time, and I think I was closer to where The Models were playing, so my sister and I went to the gig. The Models were fabulous, and I met my green card wife, Jenny, and the rest is history.
25 years later, on Cockatoo Island, I knew I had made the wrong choice regarding The Models. From that point on if I was around when Nick played I would usually be buying a ticket.The unique part of me and Nick Cave’s music is that is something I normally only partake of LIVE. Very rarely do I play Cave’s music at home, while driving, or anywhere.
We were supposed to see this show on Saturday the 31st of January but health matters slowed us down. Thanks to Tixel and ticket availability we were able to get there the next night. Sunday night crowd and freezing weather, it was 14C and the windchill said it was 8C. Fuck Yeah Melbourne Summer!
At 68, Cave still prowls the stage like a wild-eyed preacher. His interaction with the crowd is well known, and he falls into their arms, and they hold him up with care. The projection of the band playing in black and white was something to behold. You were sucked in from the first song, Frogs, and Cave did not let you rest until he finished with Into My Arms. The Supersonic production crew deserves a standing ovation.
Cave’s touring band filled the chilly night with heat. The sound was crystal clear, even in windswept Alexandria Gardens.
Below is a bit of the amazing White Elephant….
Touring Band Members (Wild God Tour 2024-2026):
Nick Cave: Vocals, Piano, Organ
Warren Ellis: Violin, Guitar, Synthesizers, Backing Vocals
Jim Sclavunos: Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
George Vjestica: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Larry Mullins: Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Colin Greenwood (Radiohead): Bass
Carly Paradis: Keyboards
Backing Vocals/Choir: Janet Ramus, T Jae Cole, Wendi Rose, Miça Townsend
What a band! Nick’s brother in music, Warren Ellis, is a genius at everything he does. He’s so much fun to watch as he weaves his bow over his violin strings. Jumping around on his stool, dancing and leaning into his child like nature.
That’s what I took away from this splendid night of music. Each band member seemed locked in to presenting these songs with love, care, and intensity. On top of that, they all seemed to be truly enjoying what they were creating.
I have said it before, and I will say it again.
GO SEE NICK CAVE LIVE WHENEVER YOU CAN.
25 songs over 2.5 hours. This was the last of three shows in Naarm. My personal highlights were Jubilee Street, From Here To Eternity, Long Dark Knight, Tupelo (introduced by Nick as “an ancient piece, mid-period Nick Cave), Joy, Carnage, Red Right Hand, White Elephant and just about everything in the encore. Shivers down my spine…..
Thanks to Aldous Harding for getting us ready for the Prince Of Darkness.
Setlist:
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
Carnage
Final Rescue Attempt
Red Right Hand
The Mercy Seat
White Elephant
Encore:
Wide Lovely Eyes
Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry
The Weeping Song
Shivers
Henry Lee
(With Janet Ramus)
Skeleton Tree
Into My Arms
(Solo)
(All photos/videos Paul Busch-I-phone)
Nice work Pablo 💖