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
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Vapors - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
Kim Wilde - Photoscapes
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPKen Loach - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Retro Spankees - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Au Pairs - Interview
Moriarty - Interview with Dr Haze
Paul Weller - Stanley Road
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkGabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Ivor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Leon Bridges - Leon
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Mystery Fix - Life to Life
Permafrost - The Light Coming Through
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