Everyone's favourite scrawny Antipodean pianist...

I went to see Nick Cave live, and he rocked!

The first half was all stuff from his new double album, and I really enjoyed it. I've not actually heard the album yet, but he's mellowed in recent years, and this stuff seems like a nice swing back away from the more soppy songs. And I love the way he combines the philosophical and the earthy - Orpheus on a bummer was a good line.

And nice teatowel souvenirs too :D Although I didn't feel the need to indulge.

He has backing singers now, and three keyboards on stage. But he's still kept his original lineup and I love the manic violinist. All technically excellent.

The second half was older songs. Which was good - the new stuff was great, but when you buy a Nick Cave ticket, you are investing a certain amount in some apocalyptic rock and a rendition of The Mercy Seat. Which incidentally, he did last, with a kind of death-metal finish to it. I've heard three versions of that song now, and all good.

One old song that I hadn't heard was Stagger Lee, and I have to say I enjoyed it. Nick behaves like an amphetamine crazed anarchic pulpit-thumping cockroach on stage, and this manic energy is definitely matched by his band, without losing the quality. Half way through this second half, he reminded us what a stonking good pianist he was with a beautiful play-through of God is in the House, but the rest was fervent favourites like Do You Love Me, and the Weeping Song :))

I had a great time, and then I drove home past Harrods which was all sparkly :)