If you’ve ever stood in a room while Nick Cave screams about a "tupelo," you know it’s not just a concert. It’s a literal exorcism. Honestly, trying to track down Nick Cave tour dates has become a bit of a high-stakes sport lately because the man simply does not stop evolving. We aren't just talking about a guy with a piano anymore. We are talking about massive, arena-filling productions with The Bad Seeds that somehow still feel like they’re happening in a basement in Berlin in 1983.
The Wild God Tour is currently the big beast on the horizon. It’s the first time in years the full band has hit the road with this much momentum, following the release of an album that feels significantly more "big" and "open" than the grief-stricken, ambient beauty of Ghosteen. If you’re looking for tickets, you're competing with a fanbase that is famously obsessive. They don’t just buy one ticket; they buy three for three different cities.
Where the Wild God Tour is Heading Right Now
Most people checking for Nick Cave tour dates are looking for the 2024 and 2025 windows. The European leg kicked off with a massive run through places like Oberhausen, Amsterdam, and Oslo. These aren't small clubs. We’re talking about the Ziggo Dome and the Barclays Arena. If you’re in the UK, the focus has been on the O2 in London and similar massive stages in Manchester and Birmingham.
But here is the thing: the schedule is dense. Cave is 67. You wouldn't know it by the way he leaps onto the front rows to grab people’s hands, but the logistics of a Bad Seeds tour are grueling. The current lineup—featuring mainstay Warren Ellis, whose violin playing looks like he’s trying to saw a demon in half, alongside Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood on bass—is arguably the most musically proficient version of the band we’ve seen in decades.
Why does this matter for your search? Because "sold out" actually means sold out. Unlike some pop acts where tickets trickle back into the system via Ticketmaster’s "verified resale" at the last minute, Cave fans tend to hold onto their spots like family heirlooms.
The Logistics of the North American Leg
The rumor mill and the official announcements for the North American Nick Cave tour dates have finally aligned for 2025. It’s a long time coming. The US hasn't seen a proper full-band tour in what feels like an eternity, mostly due to the pandemic and Cave’s focus on his "In Conversation" solo piano shows.
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The 2025 North American dates are centered around major hubs:
- Boston at the Agganis Arena (May 14)
- New York City at the iconic Barclays Center (May 17)
- Chicago at the Salt Shed Soundstage (May 22)
- Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre (June 14)
There are also stops in places like Detroit, Toronto, and Montreal. You’ve gotta realize that the Greek Theatre shows in LA are probably going to be the "peak" of the tour. There is something about Cave under the stars in a canyon that just works. If you're traveling for a show, that’s the one to aim for, though the humidity of a Montreal gig has its own dark charm.
Why you shouldn't trust third-party aggregators
I see this all the time. Someone searches for Nick Cave tour dates, clicks a random "Tickets-R-Us" style site, and sees a date for a city that isn't on the official roster. These sites often "speculate" or list old dates that haven't been cleared from their cache.
Always, always go to the official Nick Cave website or the Bad Seeds' mailing list first. The "Red Hand Files" (Cave’s personal newsletter) is actually a great place to stay updated, though he usually spends more time answering deep philosophical questions about God and grief than he does talking about venue parking.
What to Expect from the Setlist
It’s changed. If you’re going because you want to hear "The Mercy Seat" and "Red Right Hand," you’ll get them. He knows those are the hits. But the Wild God material is taking up a lot of oxygen—in a good way. The new songs are gospel-tinged, soaring, and loud.
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Expect a mix.
- The "Grief Trilogy" songs (from Skeleton Tree and Ghosteen) provide the quiet, devastating moments.
- The Wild God tracks provide the communal, "hands-in-the-air" energy.
- The 80s/90s classics provide the chaotic violence that long-time fans crave.
It’s a long show. Cave doesn't do 75-minute sets. You’re looking at two hours plus, easy. He works the crowd. He talks to people. He’ll probably insult someone’s phone. It’s great.
Dealing with the Ticket Scramble
The "presale" is where the war is won or lost. For the current Nick Cave tour dates, the artist presales usually require a code sent via the official mailing list. If you wait for the general public sale, you are basically fighting bots and professional resellers who will mark up a $99 ticket to $400 within six minutes.
It’s frustrating. It sucks. But that’s the reality of seeing a "heritage" act that still produces relevant new music.
- Pro tip: Check the "side view" seats. In arenas like Barclays or the O2, Cave spends 90% of the time on a small thrust stage or leaning over the front barrier. Sometimes the seats slightly to the side of the stage actually give you a better view of his interaction with the pit than the "good" seats further back.
Is it worth the price?
Let’s be real: tickets aren't cheap. With "dynamic pricing" and venue fees, you’re likely dropping a couple hundred bucks for a pair of decent seats.
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Is it worth it? Yes.
There are very few performers left from that post-punk era who can still command a stage with that level of physical intensity. Cave isn't a "legacy act" just playing the hits for a paycheck. He looks like he’s fighting for his life up there. The addition of Colin Greenwood has also given the rhythm section a different kind of pocket—less "grind" and more "groove."
The Weirdness of the "In Conversation" Shows
Sometimes, when people search for Nick Cave tour dates, they stumble across his solo appearances. These are totally different. No band. Just Nick, a piano, and a microphone. He takes questions from the audience.
It’s half-concert, half-group therapy. If you want the loud, rock-and-roll experience, make sure the date you’re booking says "Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds." If it just says "Nick Cave," check the fine print. You might end up in a room with 500 people asking him why he doesn't wear socks, which is cool, but maybe not what you wanted if you were looking for "Stagger Lee."
A Note on Festivals
Cave does the festival circuit, but he’s picky. He’s headlined Primavera Sound and various European festivals like All Points East. If you see a festival date on the list, keep in mind that the set will be shorter and likely focused on the "loud" hits to keep the muddy masses happy. For the full "Wild God" experience, the standalone headline shows are infinitely better.
Actionable Steps for the Fan
If you are serious about catching one of these dates, don't just "check back later."
- Sign up for the Red Hand Files. It’s the most direct line to tour announcements.
- Set up Google Alerts for "Nick Cave [Your City]" to catch local venue announcements that might slip through the cracks.
- Check the secondary market 48 hours before the show. If you missed the initial sale, prices often tank right before the event because scalpers get desperate to unload stock. I’ve seen $300 tickets drop to $80 on the day of the show.
- Prepare your ears. The Bad Seeds are surprisingly loud. If you’re down in the front rows, wear some high-fidelity earplugs. You want to hear the nuance of Warren Ellis’s loops, not just a wall of white noise.
The current run of Nick Cave tour dates represents a band at a weird, beautiful peak. They've survived tragedy, line-up changes, and decades of shifting musical trends. Seeing them now feels like witnessing a victory lap that hasn't lost its edge. Get the tickets. Even if they're in the back. Even if you have to drive four hours. You won't regret it when the lights go down and that bass line for "From Her to Eternity" starts thumping in your chest.