Three songs into his first show in Ballarat, Nick Cave thanks the crowd for welcoming him to the city, before launching into a blistering version of Higgs Boson Blues.
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The audience erupts, and it’s clear that he has already won their hearts.
It’s an understandably more sombre, more reflective show, given the tragedy of the past year in Cave’s life with the death of his son.
Nevertheless he gives an animated and amusing anecdote about being giving a tour of the city by Warren Ellis.
Cave thinks Ellis should have a souvenir stall dedicated to him in Ballarat, complete with “fake beards and hearts of gold.”
On a perfect, cool evening a capacity crowd is given a sample of the Bad Seeds new album The Skeleton Tree, as well as works from the past.
There’s a massive roar as the band launches into Red Right Hand, the sound of bells pealing across Lake Wendouree.
Supported by The Necks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds made a great start to the new year for the city.
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA REACTED
