Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Mission Ballroom

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have always walked the line between the sacred and the profane, delivering haunting ballads and explosive anthems with equal intensity. Formed in 1983 after the breakup of Cave’s previous band The Birthday Party, the group quickly became known for their gothic flair, poetic lyrics, and sweeping arrangements. Over the decades, they’ve evolved from raw post-punk chaos into something far more cinematic and I would say, beautiful.

The band came to Denver recently with a performance at the Mission Ballroom, and the room was absolutely packed. Also, the stage had a catwalk at the front so Cave could walk out and really interact with fans. It was almost more magical to just watch their faces as the band performed. I knew the band’s live shows are legendary for their emotional intensity and connection with the audience, but so many comments from friends at the show were variations of, “that was like going to church!”

Even as the lineup of the Bad Seeds has shifted over the years, the soul of the band remains – anchored by Cave’s gravel voice and theatrical vision. Their catalog spans everything from murder ballads to whispered love songs, and no two performances ever feel quite the same. The band heads to Europe for the rest of the year, so I hope our friends across the pond have as much fun at the shows as we did here in Denver.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Denver Concert Photos

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