Nick Cave And Warren Ellis Live

The Palais, St Kilda 30 November 2022

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

Palais Theatre, St Kilda

30 November 2022

The last day of Spring found a practically sold-out Palais brimming with that wonderful pre-concert buzz. Orchestral organ music filled the hazy hall while everyone chatted and eagerly awaited the icon that is Nick Cave. The first time on tour as a duo with his dear friend, Warren Ellis.

Conversations with Nick Cave (at the Sydney Opera House) was the last time I sat and marveled at the depth of emotion and wit within Cave. During Covid, we were graced with the simplicity and beauty of Idiot Prayer with Nick alone on piano from Alexandra Place in London. It filled many souls with a touch of beauty and emotion when we needed it the most.

Tonight, we gathered in what could only be compared to a tent revival. Some came for the music. Some came for the man.

We all got religion by the end of the night.

For such a small band, in comparison to tours past, the deep symphonic grooves put out by Warren Ellis as he taps keys and twiddles knobs is a show in itself. From my vantage point watching him throw his feet in the air from his sitting position, his striped socks and woolly presence vibrating with his creations, his body moved energetically throughout the performance.

Ellis is the boy from Ballarat who can count in a song sexier than, well, anyone from Ballarat, as Nick pointed out. The mutual love is so apparent. Nick teased Warren when he seemed unprepared to begin the next song and the smiles and tears of joy and laughter were a panacea for whatever ails you. How blessed we are that these two artists crossed paths.

Cave also was a tad thrown early in the piece when he came out and looked into the crowd. He saw someone in the first few rows that made him stop and he said, “I know you. I know you really well”. He said it was like bumping into your next-door neighbour, which may have been a comparison, or maybe it was someone who filled that space at some point. Whatever it was, it was the simplicity of humanity and connection he allowed himself that endeared him to the audience.

Later on, he stopped and spoke about how moving it was to be back in Melbourne, after giving a serve to fucked up St Kilda and the aging Palais (“Maybe they have refurbished it, in a retro vintage sort of way”). Tears came to his eyes, the memories he has of this city and this country. It felt like tears for the passage of time we have all been through since early 2020.

“Waiting for you, waiting for you

Waiting for you

To return…”

Cosmic Dancer by T-Rex, was introduced by letting us know who Marc Bolan and the band were, but Nick understanding we all knew, stated, “Just in case there are some younger people here”. The only cover of the evening was divine.

Every song was a highlight tonight. The crowd was polite and seated most of the night and focused on this amazing gathering of musicians. Ellis’s playing filled the room, the rhythm section of Larry Mullins (drums) and Colin Greenwood (bass) was simply sublime and the heavenly choir on backing vocals was mesmerizing. Janet Rasmus, Wendi Rose, and T. Jae Cole brought gospel, soul and space and vitality to the music performed it was hard to take your eyes off them. Layers of sound washed over each and every soul giving us time to heal and rejoice.

Of course, the prowling Cave and his quick repartee with the audience callouts were filled with love. There was a larger sense of occasion and energy that pervaded this theatre tonight. You could not hold it in your hand, but you could feel it from your head to your toes. You can still feel it today, can’t you?

Hand Of God found Nick dancing in the stalls and inviting the crowd to get a bit more passionate with their feedback. The band took a bow and the encore portion of the show

This worked for a bit, but everyone came to their feet once encore time came around. With an encore that was over seven songs long, you knew they did this to get people to their feet. After all, it is a rock concert, sitting is so incorrect.

Jubilee Street, Henry Lee, Into My Arms, and more were on offer to the disciples, and weeping, and joy was seen amongst the gathering. There was no gnashing of teeth to be heard.

Closing the night with Ghosteen Speaks, left me and everyone else purged, as Nick preached, and Ellis and the backing singers added their otherworldly vocals. This closing number gave you one more moment to savor the sonic beauty which appeared so effortlessly created.  Like layers of a perfectly made cake, it was sweet and deep.

“I think they've, well they have gathered here for me

I am within you, you are within me

I am beside you; you are beside me

I think they're singing to be free; I think they're singing to be free

I think my friends have gathered here for me

I think they've gathered here for me

To be beside me

Look for me, look for me”

We congregate for this communion.

Community and connection.

Beauty in song.

And although the setlist is the same each night, like hymns in church, many will go again, to pray and sing and dance.

Get yourself a ticket and get yourself some of that old-time religion of Cave and Ellis.

Amen. Hallelujah.

(Thanks to Nick and Warren for not allowing photographs or videos.)