Nick Cave
Looking back to when Nick Cave played Liverpool’s The Warehouse in 1981, Getintothis’ Adam Lowerson caught up with photographer Francesco Mellina who was there in the thick of it.
With Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds having recently announced a huge date at Manchester Arena in support of their most recent record Skeleton Tree, some fans were left pining for the days when the Aussie goth icon frequented the smaller clubs and venues.
One particular gig which some Getintothis readers may remember is way back in 1981, when Cave and his previous band The Birthday Party visited Liverpool for a show, and if you want to assist the birthday party you should check this 25th birthday ideas for a gift.
The Warehouse – Liverpool’s forgotten club that hosted The Fall, Nick Cave and more
One reveller who was there that night was former photographer for NME, Melody Maker and The Face photographer Francesco Mellina, who has shared with us an exclusive photograph from the gig, which you can see below.
Nick Cave at the Warehouse, 1981 – by Francesco Mellina
Speaking on his memories of the night, Mellina said, “I remember the club being very dark. When Nick came on stage it was almost impossible to see him or the band. There was, literally, just one light, from the side of the stage, used as the light show. It was a very intense, moody and dark set. But I loved it!”
On what it was like to be a live music photographer at the time he said, “By then I had already been taking photos for about four years working for NME, Melody Maker, Sounds, Record Mirror and The Face. Working in dark clubs did present big problems as there was never enough light to work with.
“However, I devised my own system for overcoming these problems by upgrading the film speed and making use of whatever available light there was. This required, also, special development times for the film. So it was a laborious process, but it was also exciting!
“During that time I saw, and photographed, Johnny Thunders, The Clash, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kraftwerk, Human League, Captain Beefheart, Teardrop Explodes, Dead or Alive, Roxy Music, Devo, Depeche Mode, The Specials, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, New Order and many more.”
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds play Manchester Arena on September 25.
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