Perceptions of a Front Row Bystander

So we went to see Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds last night. Won 2 front row Buell Theater tickets as a matter of fact, courtesy of the ever-so-wonderful Twist & Shout Records. On a whim, I entered an in-store contest quite a ways back. When I was excitedly informed by Twist staff that I had won these phenomenal tickets I figured I better learn something about Nick Cave. But I didn't listen to any of his back catalog over the months leading up to the show. And we missed him at SXSW last year. I entered the evening blindly.

Being a Tuesday and a work night, I was feeling fairly ambivalent towards getting dolled up to go downtown. But we're in the mode of again practicing the 'Summer of Yes!' philosophy so dolled up I got and it was honestly one of the weirdest things I've been to in recent memory... a total exercise of Perception.

As I mentioned, I'm not too familiar with Nick Cave. I mean, I do realize he's legendary in certain circles, but I personally have no prior experience with him or his music. I've heard strange reviews of his shows though. One of them had me a little freaked out in fact and I really didn't know what to expect. And I've never been an 'Observer' of a concert like that. Usually if I'm that close to the rail, I've fought hard and/or strategically planned to get there. Standing in a spot like that and not really being that vested in what was about to transpire gave an oddly hued tone to the whole thing.
So, here we are, basically at the stage and I really have no idea what was in store. We arrived during the opening band, Warpaint. Interesting arrangement. All chic band. Would definitely recommend checking them out. Super cool bass player. They wrapped up their (apparently?) very short set and I perused the crowd. Everyone was totally psyched to be there but I felt out of place. I felt like someone else who cared more about this guy should probably be sitting where I was. It was weird. I've just never felt like that at a show before.

So, out struts this skinny dude. Probably mid-late 50s. Pin-striped suit, some kind of shiny gold lame shirt, pinky rings & gold chain. Jet black hair and eyebrows.

Backed by a band, the Bad Seeds evidently, with the most Jethro Tull/ Rumplestiltskin looking strings player I've ever seen.

And they fucking erupted. I mean, he was all over the place.
 

They'd built out these added stage pieces into the aisles, and I'd venture to say this is where he spent the majority of the show.

When he wasn't running back and forth from one side of the stage to the other- intermittently tossing his mic and taking a minute to bang out a few notes on the piano- he was assaulting the crowd, occasionally letting some little high kicks ala Frederik from 'Million Dollar Listing New York' fly, alternately leaning on the crowd for support and absorbing its energy.
I thought Reignwolf was crazy. That was nothing compared to this! Cave had the roadies continually feeding him more cord for his mic so he could venture further and further into the crowd. Cut out's be damned, he walked on chairs, psuedo crowd-surfed, whatever it took. And the audience absolutely loved it. People watching last night was probably one of the best parts. He thrived on the attention, admiration and (I'm guessing) many of the hands placed on him.

Although I didn't know any of his material prior, judging by the crowds' reaction he appeared to play many of his 'hits'. It was a fairly extensive set list followed by a roughly 3-song encore. I'm still not sure what I think of his music. Too narrative for my tastes really. Very descriptive. Akin to sad, depressing prose put to music.

What will stick with me the most from this experience, though, were my observations of the audience. I felt so removed from things in a way, watching all of these folks so totally into the experience and him and his music. It was so odd watching certain things transpire and peoples reactions, especially the men. Some very strong, engaged and emotive responses. At one point I remember looking at one couple and they were BOTH so into the show- him matching vocal for vocal these strange, fucked up lyrics and she doing this belly dancing thing, batting her false lashes so much I had to wonder if the man she was with was her brother. I still can't say for sure. So strange to witness several (what I know were for the folks involved) Musical Moments shared between him and a select few that struck me as kind of absurdly funny. At one point I looked (behind) me into the crowd and I swear one lady had a spot light on her face and for a fleeting moment I thought they might have a 'Dirty Dancing' lift encounter except he'd be the Baby. Then, while gravitating to another young lady of the crowd he fell from one of the chairs he was walking over and although they were shortly united and shared quite a moment themselves, it was a bit Spinal Tap. And so very Rock & Roll.

I left pondering the elements of Concert After Glow, Groupies and Fame.

An experience to say the least.