Cave’s voice has never had so much range – and it was on full display at this outdoor show, filled with delirium and wonder
‘Nick Cave appears – sunset to the left, mist to the right, rosy volcanic formation backdrop.’Cave is in his usual black suit, and there’s Ellis, a prog-rock sage with flowing beard who dips between synth, violin and flute. They’re backed by drummer Larry Mullins and Radiohead bassist/keyboardist Colin Greenwood, but also by three glittery-robed backing singers who transport this evening into full-blown transcendence.
While Cave is looking a little more drawn, he’s growing ever more expansive, and his voice has never had so much range. Occasionally he’ll slip into character – on White Elephant, about the killing of George Floyd, he contorts his face with hatred as the backing singers shake their maracas, sweat on every brow; and he humours one murder ballad, Henry Lee, dueting languidly with Ramus, AKA British soul singer Cookie – but largely he is giving of himself.
The mood lightens with a T Rex cover, Cosmic Dancer ; Ellis playing the top line on his violin, rocking on his bum in his chair, legs in the air. Cave laughs before composing himself and continuing. Breathless gets the biggest cheer of the night so far, but Hand of God – perhaps about surrendering to our lack of control over the past few years – reaches fever pitch. There’s a mass exodus from the seats and a rush to the front.
The encore is no mean offering, stretching long into the night. Among its moments, Hollywood builds to a foot-stomping crescendo, Cave leaning over the pit, playing outstretched hands like a theremin. The three-decades-old Weeping Song is transformed. Cave locks eyes with Ellis across the stage and the backing singers fast-clap between lines – leading the crowd to fall in – before Ellis ignites the whole joint with a violin solo.
The long journey home after may be beset with trials and tribulations, but the flood of chemicals won’t wear off any time soon. All rise.
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