Nick Cave has spoken about how his monumental show with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds in Preston Park was reportedly the largest ticketed event in Brighton’s history. The rock icons took to the stage in Brighton on July 31, 2026, playing a UK-exclusive set to over 50,000 people in celebration of their acclaimed 2024 album, Wild God.
Support for the event came from special guests The Flaming Lips, English Teacher, Cate Le Bon, and Warmduscher. The evening also featured a poignant moment when Kylie Minogue joined the band on stage for an emotional rendition of their classic collaboration, 'Where The Wild Roses Grow'.
A Historic Homecoming
Reflecting on the scale of the performance, Cave shared his thoughts via his Red Hand Files website. After spending the following morning walking the quiet streets of Brighton, he noted that his manager confirmed the concert had set a new attendance record for the city. For Cave, the experience was deeply personal, describing the show as a "homecoming" that felt both overwhelming and triumphant.
"There is simply no other group that can summon pure chaos and the most acute intimacy almost simultaneously," Cave remarked on the band's performance. "They are a force to behold, and it is a sheer privilege to share a stage with them."
Reflecting on the Performance
Cave was particularly moved by the guest appearance of Kylie Minogue, noting that her stage attire was crafted by his wife, fashion designer Susie Cave. He praised the singer as "a performer who only gives, gives and gives, then retreats, as ghosts and great performers do."
The band's recent activities have been nothing short of prolific. Beyond the Preston Park spectacle, they surprised fans with a stripped-back performance on the roof of Resident Records earlier that week. As the group continues their tour of European festivals, rumors of a follow-up to Wild God continue to circulate, with Cave confirming the band has been "messing around" in the studio.
Cave concluded his reflections by thanking the thousands who attended, stating he was happy they could "create a place where the absent and the present could dance together."