A sleek black suit so sharp it could cut through glass like warm butter. A fully buttoned vest that screams, “I mean business.” A white shirt just unbuttoned enough to make your mom nervous.
On his feet are dress shoes so polished they’ll have the shiniest pearls rethink their career choices, and on his left hand a golden ring so big it’s practically one-fourth of a brass knuckleduster.
He wields a skeletal figure that could make the grim reaper jealous. A slicked-back jet-black hairstyle tops his head like a crown made of raven feathers. It could be a wig, it could be real, or even the result of a deal struck with the devil.
But then, there’s his voice– a deep, velvety croon that sounds like Elvis Presley went full goth and decided to narrate the apocalypse.
Behind him, a battalion of musicians is set with an arsenal of instruments that will make any concert hall ring with a transcendent sound that rivals the horns of rapture. In front of him is an adoring crowd of fans who are having the time of their lives.
In the front and center of the stage stands Nick Cave, Australia’s premier rock icon and head honcho of his legendary band, the Bad Seeds.
Next Wednesday, they’ll be kicking off the American leg of their “Wild God” tour in Boston. And only five days later, they’ll arrive at D.C. to play at The Anthem on 4/21.
This tour marks the first time the band has played America in six years, making it a very “long-time-coming” kind of affair. Cave and his bandmates, known for their penchant flair for excellent performance art, will be sure to make their momentous return to the states an unforgettable event.
The “Wild God” tour has been noted for its particular excellence. After the Bad Seeds concluded the European leg, multiple publications like UK’s The Telegraph overwhelming praise.
Neil McCormick, chief Music Critic for the publication, wrote, “…when they ramp it up, few bands can match the incandescent power of the Bad Seeds. And when they dial it down for Cave’s tortured ballads, they conjure atmospheres of magical intensity,” in a glowing five-star review.
Nick Cave continues to be a notably interactive showman, conversing with the audience to the best of his ability. And his band is nothing to scoff at, either. His current lineup consists of longtime members of the band who’ve been around since their peak in the mid-90s, as well as a gospel choir who add a joyous flair that his studio-recorded material lacks.
Hilarious banter, weighty introspection, and downright awe-inspiring performances are sure to be witnessed at D.C.’s Bad Seeds concert. If you are at all a fan of larger-than-life rock music, and glamorous live shows performed by an invigorated band of musicians and singers, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds might as well be your dream-come-true.
And of course– the music itself will be excellent too.
Tickets are on sale now, and you can buy them at The Anthem’s official website or through any of Nick Cave’s social media accounts.