Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds put on an energetic show in Philadelphia despite Cave's age and previous disdain for the US. Cave sweated through his shirt early in the show and kicked equipment over on stage. The band performed several songs from their new album as well as classics like "Red Right Hand" and "The Mercy Seat." Cave connected with the audience through piano performances of "Love Letter" and "Into My Arms." The violinist Warren Ellis nearly blew out speakers with his playing. The short but powerful show left the writer with ringing ears for two days after.

1. Originally published at http://www.prex.com/blog/nick-cave-good-show/
Nick Cave and the Good Show
By Lydia Pudzianowski in Concert Reviews, Indie Release Highlights
Technically, it’s still Sunday, making it my designated blog day here at prex.com.
Good start, I know.
A little while ago, I found out that Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were playing the
Electric Factory on October 7th. While I’m from Bucks County, I go to school in
Pittsburgh, and Nick is one of my favorites. Long story short, I flew home for 24 hours to
catch this show and then turned around and came back.
Worth it? Yes. Hell yes.
Given his age (51) and his disdain for the U.S. (the band is spending November
in the UK, finishing up the Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! tour), I was expecting a crotchety Nick
Cave and a spiteful show. Thankfully, I was 100% wrong. By the third song, Cave
sweated through his white dress shirt and began kicking things over onstage. He sang
“The Weeping Song” without the help of ex-guitarist Blixa Bargeld, and the new album
(after which the tour is named) was well represented, with “We Call Upon the Author,”
“Midnight Man,” and the title track all showcased. “Red Right Hand,” one of the band’s
most recognizable songs, saw the stage flooded with red light.
Cave took some time to relax and sit down at the piano for “Love Letter” and
“Into My Arms,” which the audience helped him sing. He pulled out plenty of classics,
including “Tupelo,” “The Mercy Seat,” “Deanna,” and “Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry,”
none of which sounded as old as they are. The same can be said for the band.
Violinist/flautist/everythingist Warren Ellis nearly blew out the speakers, and Cave put
most of the guys in the audience to shame with his 0% body fat and constant thrusting,
especially during the band’s closer, the fantastically crude “Stagger Lee.”
The show, albeit short, made a convert of the non-fan I brought with me and left
my ears ringing for two days, which was a damn good souvenir. If Nick Cave and the
Bad Seeds ever decide to grace our great nation with their presence again, make sure
you’re nearby.