The Domain, Sydney
23 January 2026

Reviewer and Photographer : Kevin Bull

I caught the train from the Central Coast down to Sydney for the first of two Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds shows at The Domain on Friday 23 January — part of the Wild God Tour — and a warm summer night greeted the packed crowd, mostly mid-to-older age (read: people who could reasonably school me in life, music, and how to queue politely). Sydney’s iconic outdoor venue was buzzing, blankets and wine in tow, as folks settled in for what would turn out to be nearly two and a half hours of deep cuts, rousing anthems, and moments that felt like collective confessionals.

The show began with a punch: opening with ‘Frogs’ and immediately into the title track from the latest album, Wild God. These first two songs set a tone that was both meditative and muscular — a signature Cave blend of gravitas and drive. Over a generous 23-song set, the Bad Seeds leaned heavily on Wild God, peppering the night with tracks like ‘Song of the Lake’, ‘Long Dark Night’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Final Rescue Attempt’ alongside classics such as ‘Jubilee Street’, ‘Red Right Hand’ and ‘The Mercy Seat’.

Highlights included the exploratory swing of ‘O Children’, the swamp-infused rumble of ‘Tupelo’, and the choir-tinged intensity dripping out of ‘Conversion’. The setlist felt curated for both long-time devotees and newer fans — each track pulling the audience deeper into the Bad Seeds’ mythic soundworld. When the first set reached its close with the dramatic, expansive ‘White Elephant’, there was a sense of communal pause — a breath held before the encore.

The encore opened with the tender, almost lullaby-like ‘Wide Lovely Eyes’, before stomping through fan favourites like ‘Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry’ and ‘The Weeping Song’. A particularly profound moment came with ‘Skeleton Tree’, whose stark emotional core was met with hushed reverence. Then came ‘Into My Arms’, delivered solo by Cave at the piano. There was an intimacy in the air that made it feel like everyone had collectively, spontaneously agreed to whisper. The crowd’s voice gently wove into the final refrain — a perfect, goose-bump-inducing conclusion to the night.

By the time the house lights came up, nearly two and a half hours had melted by without complaint. The Wild God Tour on this Sydney night proved that Cave and the Bad Seeds — even after decades on the road — still know how to craft a set that’s equal parts theatrical, spiritual, and downright thrilling. It was a show that demanded attention, rewarded patience, and left a warm, jubilant buzz that lingered long after the train whistle called us home.