Nick Cave has the fans eating out of the palm of his red right hand at London’s O2
The performance at the O2 last night from Nick Cave was nothing short of spellbinding, a raw and unforgettable showcase of his extraordinary talent and deep connection with his fans. From the outset, Cave exuded a magnetic energy that was both intense and deeply personal, and he used the vastness of the arena to create an atmosphere that felt surprisingly intimate. One of the night’s highlights was his direct interaction with the front row, where he seemed to dissolve the boundary between performer and audience, from the start and throughout the 2.5 hour set, leaning into the crowd, locking eyes with fans, and even taking hands—a gesture that made those lucky few feel like they were part of the show itself. This interaction created a shared experience, filling the air with a palpable sense of connection that rippled through the entire crowd. Nick even had time to focus and rib a front row fan about his Radiohead shirt.
Adding to the visual drama, the lighting design was superbly executed and enhanced every moment on stage. The lights moved in perfect sync with Cave’s setlist, creating shifts that punctuated the mood of each song. At moments of intensity, blinding white beams seemed to radiate out from Cave himself, capturing his expressive face and hand gestures in stark silhouette. For softer, more haunting songs, the stage was bathed in deep blues and purples, making the space feel dreamlike, almost reverent. It was as if the lighting itself was telling a story, amplifying Cave’s emotion and creating a visual spectacle that elevated the performance from a rock concert to something otherworldly.
Warren Ellis, Cave’s longtime collaborator and close friend, deserves special mention. His presence on stage was electrifying, a perfect counterpart to Cave’s intensity. Ellis’s masterful use of violin, synthesizer, and other instruments gave the performance a unique, experimental edge, often adding a sense of chaos and unpredictability to the music. His wild energy, whether thrashing into his violin or coaxing haunting sounds from the synth, created an atmosphere that was visceral and immersive. Ellis’s musical chemistry with Cave is profound and undeniable, adding a dimension to the performance that only such a close partnership could create. Their shared moments on stage felt both tender and wild, a testament to their years of collaboration.
Adding another layer of richness to the performance was the onstage choir, whose harmonies elevated Cave’s songs to new heights. Their voices added a haunting, almost spiritual dimension to songs like “Bright Horses” and “Ghosteen,” filling the arena with a sound that seemed to resonate from beyond the physical space. The choir’s harmonies, paired with Cave’s impassioned vocals, created an emotional landscape that was both uplifting and deeply moving, as if each song was a shared act of catharsis for both performers and audience alike.
Throughout the night, Cave moved fluidly between powerful anthems like “Red Right Hand” and intimate, introspective songs like “Into My Arms,” the latter turning the O2 into a singalong chapel, with the crowd’s voices harmonizing with the choir. The setlist was a masterfully curated journey through Cave’s career, each song building on the last to create a cumulative emotional experience.
In all, the performance from Nick Cave at the O2 was an awe-inspiring experience, a testament to his enduring power as a live performer. With stunning lighting, the haunting presence of the choir, and the raw energy of Warren Ellis, Cave delivered a night that transcended a mere concert—it was an emotional journey that left the audience exhilarated and profoundly moved.
Photo Copyright © Kevin O’Sullivan
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