Nick And The Bad Seeds - Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, 31/10/2013
by Tony Gaughan
published: 6 / 11 / 2013
intro
At a Halloween gig at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow Tony Gaughan watches Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds play a masterclass set
What better way to spend All Hallow's Eve than with the gangling figure of Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds in the presence of over two thousand fanatical followers, some of whom had entered the spirit by ghoulishly dressing for the occasion. Zombies and the living dead were in vogue as the Gothic master Nick impeccably dressed in a black suit had them eating from the palm of his hand from the first note. Opening with 'We No Who U R' from their latest long player 'Push the sky Away', it was clear this was going to be a night to remember with the Bad Seeds in spectacular form throughout the two hour performance. Cave had a great rapport with the Glasgow crowd and 'Jubilee Street' and 'Mermaids' followed but, despite covering most of the 'Push the Sky Away', he still had plenty of time to devote to the vast swathe of previous hits from his back catalogue including 'Do You Love Me?' and 'Red Right Hand' from 'Let Love In'. With most of the band being multi- instrumentalists, the performance by the Bad Seeds included Barry Adamson and the bearded Warren Ellis swapping from guitar, piano, violin and even glockenspiel. Cave when he was not interacting with the crowd also got behind a piano to deliver an seemingly endless supply of songwriting genius. The many highlights including a stunning 'Stagger Lee' from 'Murder Ballads', the Bad Seeds' critically acclaimed ninth album. Cave clearly has an affinity for the Barrowland, and he commented on the "beautiful venue" whilst gazing up to the ceiling. And still they came. 'Higgs Bosson Blues','The Mercy Seat' and 'Push the Sky Away' finished a truly magnificent main set, but four encores followed including 'Deanna' and a heartfelt tribute to Lou Reed with 'Give Us a Kiss' which ended a masterclass from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
profiles |
Abattoir Blues (2007) |
Neil Palmer looks at Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' new double live CD, 'Abattoir Blues' |
favourite album |
Murder Ballads (2007) |
New writer Neil Palmer writes about Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds's classic 1996 album, the theatrical and macabre 'Murder Ballads' |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Secret Shine - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Pere Ubu - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadInutili - A Love Supreme
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart