Photos by Andy Argyrakis

There hasn’t been a shortage of Nick Cave coming to town as of late, either solo or alongside longtime collaborator Warren Ellis, but it’s been eight long years since The Bad Seeds joined the iconic Australian artist/actor in America.

As a result of the haunting, often heartier alternative/indie rock sounds that configuration brings, the troupe returned to its club roots for a pair of shows at The Salt Shed, where the closing night clocked in at a generous two-and-a-half-hours.

Cave, the band and a four-piece backing choir came out to the full-throttled “Frogs,” which even featured the front man making a frenzied jump prior to interacting with all the outstretched arms along the front rail.

He soon settled down behind the piano, albeit briefly, come the latest album and tour’s title track, “Wild God,” offering revealing insight surrounding the tragedy of losing his second son in less than a decade’s span, yet still managing to possess the resolve and faith to carry on.

In fact, themes of grief and perseverance permeated much of the latter day material, including “Long Dark Night,” “Conversion,” “Bright Horses,” “I Need You” and “Final Rescue Attempt” as Cave always commanded attention thanks to his distinctively poetic and theatrical delivery.

Meanwhile, The Bad Seeds cooked up quite a storm of brooding or buoyant atmospheres, depending upon how the premise’s pendulum swung, tapping into a collective chemistry that’s been adventurously evolving for over 40 years.

“From Her To Eternity,” “Tupelo” and “The Mercy Seat” were a few riveting examples from their earlier periods, plus “Carnage” and “White Elephant” fittingly represented Cave and Ellis’ recent side steps.

Rather than growing weary over the advancing hour, the fairly full audience was totally engrossed until the encores “Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry,” “The Weeping Song,” “Skeleton Tree” and “Into My Arms” when Cave completely transcended the physical realms and embraced the supernatural.

For additional information on Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, visit NickCave.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at The Salt Shed include Japanese Breakfast (Apr. 30-May 2); Flo (May 3); Kevin Kaarl (May 4-5); Amyl And The Sniffers (May 8); Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory (May 9); The Salt Shed Open House (May 10); Black Country, New Road (May 13); Nils Frahm (May 14); Anees (May 15); Mayday Parade (May 16); Porter Robinson (May 17); We Met At The Shed – Must Love Dogs (May 21); Tennis (May 23); Summersalt Market (May 24-25); Solid Pink Disco (May 29) and Hippo Campus (May 30). For additional details, visit SaltShedChicago.com.

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