Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at Madison Square Garden: Friday, Oct. 4th

For the practicing agnostic or atheist in search of a religious experience, Nick Cave might be the high priest you’re looking for. Tales of sorrow, loss, hope, and murder tempered with Biblical allusions made for an entertaining evening at the venue formerly called WaMu Theater this past Saturday night.

Nick Cave summons faint memories of Frank Zappa, surrounding himself with a small army of expert musicians who he conducts from center stage as he commands most of the attention for the evening. With multiple keyboards and two drummers, The Bad Seeds provide a full and rich sound ornamented with Warren Ellis’s energetic violin solos.

Starting off with songs from the band's most recent release, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, the selection then ventured back to gems from older albums, some high points being “The Weeping Song”, “God is in the House,” and “The Mercy Seat.” Cave’s voice is plaintive and powerful, even aggressive at times, as he opted to shout more than sing on songs that are otherwise sung on the albums. Generous and quick with audience banter, Cave demonstrated both his abilities as a musician/performer and his sense of humor while playfully turning down shouted requests not on the set list.

Among this master storyteller’s most distinguishing traits is his ability with narrative. His background in literature is self-evident in the captivating way he introduces characters, creates a world for them to exist in, and unfolds its events for a waiting audience. In an age inundated with simulation and virtual realities, the gift of imparting an oral tradition is both very rare and much needed. Cave has this gift, and he has no trouble getting his audience to accept it. Also apparent in Cave’s work is a religious perspective, though the lyrics make his journey through the darker side of life and non-belief in any orthodox religion seem pretty clear. The combination of these elements results in the interesting stage presence of an articulate devil mixed with holy goof, shrouded in an ambiguity as to what side the singer is actually fighting for. Either way, there is a spiritual presence on the stage.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with higher-profile concerts, the audience was plagued with that most irritating of pests: the event seeker. Standing in the pit, I found myself surrounded by such spectators, more interested in their own conversations and taking pictures than in the show itself. Perhaps rock not only needs more chosen prophets like Cave, but a more sincere grade of true believers to attend these most holy gatherings. If you go to concerts because you just want pictures of celebrities, buy a magazine and stay home. - C. Jefferson Thom

Mr. Thom lives in New York City and walks dogs, writes plays, and loves dissecting pop culture.