Nick Cave in Birmingham review as Bad Seeds lead Brummies in Peaky Blinders chorus
There was something distinctly different about the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds show at the BP Pulse Live Arena tonight (Friday, November 15) and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. As the audience streamed in to the newly-named venue (it'll always be 'the NEC' to me) everything seemed calm, even when the band filed on to the stage.
"Have you noticed," Johnny said to me as we glanced around, "that no one has their phone out?" That was it. As Nick Cave and the Band Seeds launched into new track Frogs with immediate power, every Brummie in the place simply existed in the moment. It was remarkably profound.
Profound was an overarching theme of the gig. From the ethereal, shimmering angels that were masquerading as backing singers to the physical connection between the 67-year-old frontman and his fans, his arms outstretched and grasping at their hands.
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"F*****g Birmingham!" Nick bellowed, his first words to the crowd before taking to his piano for Wild God. Song of the Lake took him right to the edge of the audience, swirling his hand over them like he was skating over the surface of water, their own hands a ripple at his touch.
My show highlight came early, with O Children proving a stirring triumph. Horse hair sprang from the bow of Warren Ellis as he made his violin cry, the Bad Seeds showing that they're the best in the game at building to a peak.
Jubilee Street kept momentum up, with all that same swell and gusto only now with a grit and fury I hadn't expected to see from the suited gentleman. He threw his mic as the transformation began, slamming the keys of his piano and forcing Brummies out of their seats and unexpectedly on their feet. It was an explosion of feeling, which felt bizarre given how early it came in the set.
From Her to Eternity offered yet more frenetic vigour and Nick tumbled on to the crowd like a surfer, holding out his palms as though to siphon the energy from an audience that was keen to hand it over.
"Birmingham, f*****g Birmingham. Looking at you. What is there not to love?" Nick said, as Warren slung kisses across the arena with fluid gusto. "My grandfather is from Solihull," Warren said, "so there's a little bit of all of you in me."
Long Dark Night was a wail to the night while Cinnamon Horses, off 2024 album Wild God, sounded like an anthem they'd played for decades. Tupelo, a track that does date back more than 30 years, felt less like a song and more a progressive, auditory experience. Brummie claps formed thunder and rain and I could almost smell the petrichor.
Bright Horses, from the 2019 album Ghosteen, had formed the calming soundtrack to my tumultuous lockdown years and I cried as the darling wails spilled from Warren's chest. Joy continued the emotion and I Need You kept hearts aching. Nick sounded incredible as he faded to black before striking up Carnage.
Red Right Hand came next, known for the part it has played in giving Peaky Blinders its distinct ambience. "This song is for f*****g Birmingham!" Nick said, and we carried the whole thing ourselves in perfect tune.
The Mercy Seat came next, with White Elephant stomping us home after. The backing singers joined Nick up front for the crescendo of all crescendos. "There's a kingdom in the sky!" they sang. Hallelujah! If Nick had a dial-an-evangelist £5-per-minute phone line, I'd probably ring it.
A three track encore took us from Papa Won't Leave You, Henry to A Weeping Song before The Bad Seeds departed, leaving just us and Nick together in the surprisingly calm, peaceful arena. Together we sang Into My Arms, the star taking a harmony while we carried the tune. It was so special, no one really thought to record it.
As the singer said goodbye, we Brummies waved him off and made for the doors, a little bit different from how we'd been when we'd arrived. "Back to reality, then," the woman behind me sighed and I watched as she floated back to earth from somewhere near exultation.