Nick Cave stuns at sold-out Sydney concert as fans reach for the rock god on triumphant return to the stage

Nick Cave stunned a roaring crowd in Sydney on Friday night, exuding his rock star charisma and style at a sold-out show at The Domain.

The legendary rocker, 68, looked to be having the time of his life as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds returned to The Domain, launching their Wild God tour in front of thousands.

He cheekily told the crowd how excited he was to play for 'f***ing Sydney' 

Dressed in a sharp black suit and white shirt, Cave cut a striking figure as he strode down a narrow runway stretching deep into the crowd, microphone in hand, his free arm reaching out to clasp fans' fingers.

Photographs from the night show Cave leaning forward into the sea of raised arms, his face etched with intensity as devotees stretched toward him, some pointing skyward, others clutching phones to capture the moment.

'I am unbelievably pleased it's starting to get dark,' the gothic rocker joked as the sun finally dipped behind the Sydney skyline, with cranes and city towers silhouetted behind him and stage lights washing him in green and gold. 

The Victorian-born rocker had fans begging for more as he gave an emotional performance and conjured joy from some of his most powerful and emotive songs. 

The show opened with tracks from the band's 2024 album Wild God, with Cave gripping the microphone in both hands, eyes closed in concentration, his slicked-back hair glowing beneath the lights as he delivered each line with confidence.

'You're awesome!' he told the crowd as cheers thundered back at him.

The runway provided Cave with the perfect platform to ensure fans were given an intimate and emotional performance.

He exuded confidence and charisma as he belted out his hits in his trademark quirky style, leaving the roaring crowd bellowing for more. 

Tickets cost over $150 but Cave ensured his beloved fans got their money's worth, being every inch the showman and delivering a performance to remember. 

The fierce and vulnerable opening night of two Domain shows – where the band last headlined the Homebake festival in 2003 – coincided with Cave's nomination on Friday for Best Original Song at this year's Oscars, for his work on the US movie Train Dreams, starring Aussie actor Joel Edgerton.

Alongside new material from Wild God, the setlist drew heavily from across four decades of the Australian band's towering career.

Cave paid tribute to his four-decade career with a host of fan favourites, including Tupelo, From Her to Eternity, Red Right Hand and The Mercy Seat, all of which were met with excited screams from the crowd. 

A roaring crowd was seen clapping along, shouting and reaching skyward as Cave paced the runway above them.

The show was powered by his formidable bandmates, led by longtime collaborator Warren Ellis and a quartet of gospel backing vocalists who elevated his performance.

The night closed in hushed beauty, with Cave alone at the piano, performing one of his signature songs, Into My Arms, as the crowd fell silent beneath the city lights.

Cave is one of Australia's most celebrated performers, renowned for his gothic imagery and emotionally charged songs.