Nick Cave live at St Bartholomew The Great, London

It’s been a fair few years since I got a freebie at a gig. In 1976, I saw Steeleye Span at the first of two gigs at the Hammersmith Odeon (if I am ever kidnapped my secret identity question to prove it’s me, is to provide the Odeon’s phone number 01 748 4081 in case anyone cares). That night, the Span gave back the £8,500 door money to the fortunate punters, by having a net full of cash suspended from the ceiling, which was released during the gig over Row G. I know this because I went the second night and was sitting in row G, and no they didn’t repeat the stunt that night.

I also saw Elvis Costello in 1978 at the sadly missed Rainbow, supported by Richard Hell and the Voidoids and John Cooper Clarke. At the doorway was a large empty box, where if you had arrived early, you could have taken a free Elvis single, there was zero policing of this, so they got snaffled up before I got there. So, my record of freebies isn’t great; however last night at the St Bartholomew The Great church in London, Nick Cave and Colin Greenwood (yes that one) played a charity gig to raise money for the church’s new organ fund (feel free to donate here - Go contribute now).  On arrival every seat had a Fortnum and Mason bag with Chocolates and Coffee, plus a 10” EP of Nick singing his own Psalms. So…. a fabulous set of freebies.

I am meandering, let me rewind a week. My sister attends the church, and I’m honestly delighted she does, and she thought I would want to know that Nick was doing the gig. I got quite (= extremely) excited, but then saw the ticket price, this dampened my enthusiasm a tad. Fortunately, this was just before an unexpected Tax bill arrived, so I shelled out more than ever before for a gig, by emailing Nick’s assistant.

The ticket came by return of email - the concert was so secret that Google didn’t even know about it. It was so worth it! Doors opened at 7:30, so I assumed it would be similar to the Union Chapel and that the seats would be unallocated and first come first served. I rocked up at 5:30, anticipating a lengthy queue of middle-aged punters, supping on Costa Coffee. I was given the boot by a bloke with an earpiece and told to come back later, so a couple of wines later, joined by my little sister and her mate. I then checked the queue situation which was now two strong. Back to the wine bar, and then at 7 we joined the now eight strong queue.

The church is beautiful, the oldest Parish church in London. The seats for the gig were the church pews and we got into the second row assisted by more wine, I managed to not see the 10” record and sat on mine, but fortunately with no harm.

Marcus, the Rector, came and said hello to my companions. Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood was standing half-way down the aisle, chatting, pestered by no-one, looking suitably knackered for someone who was two days out of a lengthy Radiohead tour. The final congregation of about 600 trickled in.

At 8.25 candles were lit, the lights lowered and Nick came in looking as immaculate as ever - dark suit, white shirt and striped tie - sat at the grand piano and started. I can’t remember all the songs, definitely Jubilee Street, Higgs Bosun Blues, Papa Won’t Leave You Henry, The Mercy Seat, Brompton Oratory , Skeleton Tree, Push The Sky Away, Oh Wow Oh Wow How Wonderful She Is, Wild God, Joy, finishing with Into my Armswhere we were encouraged to join in on the chorus. So, tunes mostly plucked from the Wild God and Idiot Prayer albums. (Editor - the version on setlist.fm is below).

It was just Nick on piano with Colin plucking on the bass, the songs were interspersed with little chats, we listened in reverent silence, probably more attentively than Marcus gets most weeks. Colin was extremely understated on the bass watching every move Nick made and nodding along.

Genuine emotion, my sister cried all the way through. I loved every minute, all done and dusted by 10:15 and home in time for a kebab and final contemplative wine. Nick is very marmite - I don’t believe anyone exists that likes everything (I include me here), but what he does do and I like, he does very well.  

I’m fairly sure the copy of Nick’s Psalms will not be listened to often, a proper charismatic icon of our age, I wish I was a tenth as cool.       

Editor - Thanks John for a great review of a really special gig - I am VERY jealous! Stay safe, and if you enjoyed this, please subscribe (see link below), x