Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, The Bridgewater Hall, 17th September 2021

The gig experience is very different when you come to The Bridgewater Hall. Polite and refined, rather than cramped and chaotic. The last time I saw Nick Cave it was here. That night he told stories and played piano. Tonight is very different. Joined by Warren Ellis to promote their Carnage LP. It’s the sort of space that feels special, before anyone’s even took to the stage. The songs are grand, melodic, spiritual and gently paced. Cave in fine voice deftly working the stage as Ellis very unassuming, keyboard on lap, provides much of the minimalist score. It’s a big sound though. Cave has his piano, there’s a fella switching between guitar keys and occasionally drums. Plus three backing singers who it has to be said are exquisite. They sing beautifully, especially on title track Carnage. The songs are thoughtful and poetic. White Elephant steps things up though with the first introduction of drums and Cave beginning to stalk and prowl. Spitting lyrics about “Shooting you in the fucking face” as the backing singers go full gospel. It’s spine tingling stuff. Half way through, Ellis finally picks up the bow for a cover of Cosmic Dancer. Given the same stripped back treatment as much of the set, it sounds good but I’d rather have had another original song in its place. As beautiful as the melodic stuff sounds, it’s the more raucous numbers that make me smile. Hand of God with its tub thumping rhythm and demonic stings. The sound in The Bridgewater is gorgeous and it suits this music perfectly. Warm symphonies swelling from the speakers and it’s a joy to watch the set unfold from the stalls close to the stage. To be fair though, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Leviathan is a near religious experience and things only get better from there with 2 encores that raise the already very high roof. Treating us to Henry Lee and Into My Arms. It’s 2 hours of calm bliss, but there’s many more songs I’d love to have heard. Cave is in reflective mood though and the set fits that. A truly beautiful experience.