As soon as the gates opened early afternoon, hundreds of fans were speeding across the sun-bleached grass of Preston Park, determined to secure their spot at the front for a bill that offered everything from leftfield post-punk experimentation to one of the most celebrated live acts of the past few decades. By the time Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds took to the stage, fans had already enjoyed an eclectic afternoon of colour and spectacle. The sun had kept shining and the sky had stayed blue.
London's Warmduscher got proceedings underway with their trademark swagger. There was something effortlessly loose and carefree about the set, even when its messages were pointed. Frontman Clams Baker appeared keen to make his views known, railing against ‘bully boys’ while encouraging the crowd to stand their ground. They found their groove right from the start and rarely let go, blending funk, punk and danceable beats into an entertaining opening set. A slogan, stuck to the back of Baker’s synthesizer pad proclaiming ‘Only Weirdos Are Pretty’ summed up both the band's aesthetic and their appeal. They delivered a fantastic start to the day, comfortable being on the big stage, and successfully drawing an ever-growing audience by the time they had finished.
Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon followed with an enigmatic set. Her art-rock and poetic imagery provided a contrast to Warmduscher's extroverted energy. While not every moment immediately reveals itself, there was plenty to admire in the atmosphere she created and the confidence with which she delivered.
The afternoon was running like clockwork with a smooth turnaround between each band. English Teacher followed with their indie vibe. Newer songs sat comfortably alongside material from their Mercury Prize-winning debut. They looked and sounded every bit a band growing into their reputation.
The Flaming Lips lifted everything to another level. An ambient introduction slowly built anticipation before giving way to a joyous, visually extravagant performance. Frontman Wayne Coyne emerged in a suit, adorned with a pink floral garland, wild-haired, barefoot and bursting with child-like energy. The set delivered everything fans might expect from The Flaming Lips: ticker tape, giant inflatables, oversized bouncing balls and enough colour to compete with the brilliant Brighton sky.
'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’ was greeted like an old friend, while ‘Do You Realize??’ provided one of the day's most uplifting moments. Even an acknowledgement of a fan attending her ninety-third Flaming Lips show spoke to the fiercely loyal community the band has cultivated over the years. Their performance was a celebration of joy, imagination and shared experience; exactly what a summer festival audience hopes for.
Yet for all the fun, there was genuine emotional depth too. During one reflective moment, Coyne spoke movingly about the recent death of his older brother. The contrast between personal grief and the absurdity of him at that moment wandering the stage wearing an alien-costume, somehow felt entirely in keeping with The Flaming Lips' worldview: life is heartbreaking, ridiculous and wonderful all at once. What followed was a beautiful new song, ‘Every Teardrop Cried’, which is destined to become a classic.
And then came Nick Cave.
The performance had the feel of a homecoming before it even began. Earlier in the day Cave & The Bad Seeds had surprised fans with a rooftop appearance in Brighton, adding an extra sense of occasion to an already highly anticipated headline set.
Wearing his customary suit along with a paisley kipper tie and freshly dyed jet-black hair, Cave strode onto the stage with all the charisma and authority that have made him such a compelling live performer. Beside him, Warren Ellis resembled a force of nature, and with them The Bad Seeds are a superb band. Including bassist Colin Greenwood, a four-piece choir, they created a sound that was equally immense and nuanced. The rhythm section were tight, with drummer Larry ‘Toby Dammit’ Mullins playing with a Buddy Rich-type intensity.
From the opening moments, Cave was right in there with the audience, pulling them into the conversation. ‘Tupelo’ demonstrated the unique connection he now shares with fans. As hands reached out from the front, Cave leaned towards them, grasping fingers and maintaining eye contact, creating moments that felt intensely personal despite the scale of the crowd.
Songs born from darkness and pain were transformed into something communal and redemptive. ‘Saturn Returns’ became almost triumphant. Whilst the haunting beauty of ‘Carnage’ provided one of the evening's most affecting moments with what looked like tears welling in Cave’s eyes as he gave it everything.
A surprise appearance from Kylie Minogue for ‘Where the Wild Roses Grow’ was received with delight. Looking elegant in a white bejewelled gown, she and Cave delivered a romantic and captivating rendition of the long-standing duet. It was a beautiful moment to see them together.
During ‘Papa Won't Leave You, Henry’, Cave ventured deep into the sea of outstretched arms, held up and venerated like a messiah figure. ‘Jubilee Street’ was one of the night’s standout moments. What began as a slow-burning, hypnotic groove steadily gathered momentum until it became something euphoric, Cave riding the song's accelerating pulse as he declared, "I'm transforming, I'm vibrating, look at me now!" with near evangelical conviction as he writhed and the Bad Seeds rocked.
Cave dedicated ‘Wide Lovely Eyes’ to both his wife Susie and Brighton which longtime back took him in as one of their own. He has a wonderful articulate way of communicating on a level and seemed genuinely moved by the reception he received from the audience. Throughout the evening, he was humble, gracious and generous, allowing the music, the band and the audience collective room to shine.
The set ended with the epic ‘Hollywood’ which unfolded slowly, building into something cinematic and emotionally affecting. A short encore with the Bad Seeds before Cave fittingly ended the night with a solo performance of ‘Into My Arms’. Again, leaning into the audience, pulling them in emotionally.
Nineteen songs drawn from fourteen albums was both a fitting retrospective for this homecoming performance, delivered with energy and intensity. On a glorious summer evening in Brighton, it was nothing short of masterful.
