The laughs were welcome on a night where the music was mainly downcast, and notified by our awareness of Cave’s current bereavements. In this context, lines like those about the “child bear” in Ghosteen ended up being nearly unbearably poignant, specifically given that they were recited with such furrowed-brow pathos.
It is undoubtedly recitations instead of standard tunes which control Cave’s current discography and this setlist, however here was a crowd that leaned in to listen. We were rewarded with nonpareil poetry, heard plainly through the reconditioned Concert Hall’s significantly enhanced acoustics. The whispered “simply breathe” coda to I Need You, for example, was spectacular and – context once again – devastatingly unfortunate.
What the more recent product did not have in hummability it offseted in environment and texture and magnificence, with huge thanks for all 3 tonight to the shapeshifting rhythm area of percussionist Larry Mullins and bassist Colin Greenwood, and 3 gospel-infused, session-standard vocalists in Janet Ramus, Wendi Rose and T. Jae Cole. They all in some way made Leviathan stumbled upon like a sea shanty efficient in winning FM radio play.
And on a night where Cave was exhibiting unusual levels of old-fashioned showmanship, he wasn’t going to leave us without a couple of biggest hits. Galleon Ship, The Weeping Song and Henry Lee all contributed to the aura of revival conference which this gig handled as it struck the house strait, Ramus bringing your home down with her stentorian female part on the latter.
Cave solo on Jubilee Street was pure poetry and pianism, and Ghosteen Speaks with its elegiac riff and Arthur-channelling lyrics definitely moved anyone here with a heart.
After kindly presenting all of his associates for the 3rd time, Cave strolled off after that one and the houselights briefly showed up – however that crowd-pleasing impulse should have been too tough to withstand.
So to shocked and thrilled cheers, from a crowd midway out the door, the ensemble returned to carry out Into My Arms – Cave’s biggest plea and prayer, provided an increase by some reverent singing from us, and required to the stratosphere by a violin solo from Ellis at his bent, conjuring finest.
All jokes aside, it was beautiful.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis play 2 more Sydney Opera House reveals on December 17 and 18, both presently offered out.