Each night of the tour is a cathartic journey into the band’s extensive back catalogue. From the enduring nature of love, the all-consuming (and sometimes joyous) feeling of grief, and a notable mention of Elvis Presley, ‘Live God’ is a testament to The Wild God tour, the album itself, and the musicians who crafted it.
Starting an uproar of applause, ‘Frogs’ taken from the magnificent 2024 release opens the track. The live rendition is a seamless blend of angelic choral vocals and the ascending musical accompaniment—brought to life by Bad Seeds’ Jim Sclavunos, George Vjestica, and touring members like Carly Paradis, Larry Mullins, and Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood—with the immense weight of Cave’s preacherlike spoken word delivery.
Also from ‘Wild God’ is the titular track, which quickened tempo and emphatic performance (you can imagine Cave’s extended arms with each repeated “bring your spirit down”), continuing the emphatic, uplifting energy of the album. It’s here you hear Warren Ellis’ wizardlike talents front and centre as Cave’s writing partner, right-hand man, and musical foil. It’s rare for a live album to wholly transport you to the venue it was recorded in, but in the second track, you’re in the crowd, witnessing the out-of-body communal spirit that was the Wild God tour
Of course, the album features other tracks from Cave’s career, from the hauntingly beautiful ‘O Children’, cult favourite ‘Red Right Hand’, and thrashing ‘From Her To Eternity’—which will have you repeating “Yeah, yeah, yeah” for hours after. This might not be the Nick Cave who originally recorded the tracks, but if anything, his aged vocals, cracking with emphasis and angst, are more special than ever. No matter what era of the musician’s 40-year catalogue is your favourite, every sound is captured and revived.
What is most poignant and marks this album as an epic rather than just a great is Cave’s ability to shift between moments of obscene joy and uncaged energy to those of tearful lamentation, with tracks like ‘Long Dark Night’, ‘Joy’, and eulogic ‘O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is)’, capturing the raw and real darkness that has marked Cave’s own life. It’s not a performance tainted by the pain of loss, but rather a celebration that we are lucky enough to lose something so special in the first place.
At nearly 70 years of age, Cave has more energy and magnetism than many half his age. ‘Live God’ is a testament to the musician’s artistry and his continued ability to bring together audiences to simply live. It’s nothing short of triumphant.
Megan-Louise Burnham
Image: ‘Live God’ Official Album Cover