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Promoter reveals Nick Cave's Melbourne homecoming almost derailed by venue resistance

Paul Sloan says Alexandra Gardens said no for months before he convinced them

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources4 outlets
Promoter Paul Sloan has revealed that Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' recent Wild God tour concert at Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne almost did not happen at that venue, describing a 'world of resistance' that included months of rejections from the park's managers and other potential sites.

As dusk fell over Melbourne on a balmy, fragrant night, Nick Cave commanded a surge of people like a receding tide to the banks of the Yarra River. The Bad Seeds frontman's figure stood alongside the city's glowing skyline as bats flew overhead, the raw menace of his younger years tempered by the loss and longing of age.

More than four decades earlier, Cave strode like a preacher under the chandelier of St Kilda's former Crystal Ballroom for the Bad Seeds' first show. The Wild God tour in 2026 at Alexandra Gardens was his spiritual homecoming. But it almost did not happen there, according to the band's promoter and tour producer Paul Sloan.

'I would have tried a dozen places before, because Alexandra Gardens said "no" to me for months,' Sloan said. 'I ended up convincing them to let me do it.'

Sloan listed other rejections, among them ovals gate-kept for sport and a heritage venue hamstrung by bureaucracy. The concert ultimately went ahead, drawing a large crowd to the riverside park.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The revelation highlights the bureaucratic hurdles involved in staging major outdoor concerts in Melbourne's public spaces.
  • It underscores the persistence required to bring culturally significant events to the city's iconic venues.
  • The near-miss raises questions about how accessible public parks are for large-scale cultural events.

Background

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds began their career in Melbourne in the early 1980s, with their first show at the Crystal Ballroom in St Kilda. Alexandra Gardens is a public park along the Yarra River in the city centre, frequently used for festivals and events. The Wild God tour, which visited in 2026, marked a homecoming for the band.

Key Perspectives

Promoter Paul Sloan: Faced months of rejections from Alexandra Gardens before eventually convincing the venue's managers. He also encountered barriers from sports ovals and a heritage venue, describing a 'world of resistance'. Venue managers (implied): Had initial concerns or requirements that led to the repeated refusals before an agreement was reached. Music fans: Attended the sold-out concert, likely unaware of the difficulties in securing the location.

What to Watch

  • Whether other major artists or promoters encounter similar resistance from Melbourne's public venues.
  • Any future changes to event approval processes for parks and public spaces.
  • The potential for more concerts at Alexandra Gardens following this success.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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