Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — June 10, 2017 at Wang Theatre
June 10, 2017
Wang Theatre in Boston
It's hard to remember when a venue started to feel like an impending powder keg. A barricaded orchestra pit for a 100 people, unruly theatre goers who want to sit & a performer who encourages audience interaction to the extreme. My first thoughts were - why did I pick this place to travel to? The annoyed sitters were barking away at all of us who stood. Why do people go to rock n roll shows? This isn't some side bar entertainment. Nick & Audience interaction is part of any performance. We all know what we come for. He addressed us and acknowledged that he was told of these rules just prior to start time. The frustration was mutually acknowledged and “we will try to make something work” Nick encouraged everyone to come forward and the theatre policed everyone back. Ebb and flow.., This tension was going on the entire show. This went on for the 1st half hour. The cracks began to show as nick went into the audience deep and harnessing everyone together several times. Then it was apparent people were finally fed up. The barricade was surrounded and nick kept pushing for people to come closer. I looked around and felt so happy that “we had won” the battle. Nick pulled the ultimate move by Helping people on stage and getting them to move into the VIP area… I would say there were 200+ on stage with the VIP area stuffed… I got stopped by security but I couldn't move away either so I just smiled at them. It is important to note he kept close watch with everyone even the people in the balcony. Never heard him laugh so much at an occasional ad libbed line. This was a truly special show.