Nick Cave Teases Massive Bad Seeds Brighton Show for 2026 and Opens Up on AI and Amyl & The Sniffers

Nick Cave hints at a huge Bad Seeds concert in Brighton for 2026, shares thoughts on AI in art, and reveals his admiration for Amyl & The Sniffers.

A Sneak Peek at Something Huge in Brighton

If you’re a Nick Cave fan, you’ll want to buckle up because there’s some tantalizing news coming your way. In a recent installment of his famously candid Q&A on The Red Hand Files, Cave dropped a tantalizing hint about a “massive” Bad Seeds show scheduled for Brighton in 2026 — his very own hometown.

As a longtime fan who’s followed the poetic darkness and raw emotion of Cave’s work, this news feels like a festive gift. Brighton, with its vibrant music scene, will no doubt be the perfect stage for what promises to be an unforgettable night. Cave's simple, clear “yes” to the rumor confirms what many have hoped for: a landmark event that will bring the Bad Seeds’ powerful sound to a local, yet global, audience.

Quickfire Q&A: AI, Elvis, and Amyl & The Sniffers

This latest session of The Red Hand Files saw Cave answering fans’ questions with his iconic brevity — “yes,” “no,” “I don’t know,” or a spicy “Go fuck yourself.” One fan asked if he liked the Aussie punk band Amyl & The Sniffers, and without hesitation, Cave replied, “yes.” It’s always fun to see legendary artists acknowledge newer bands, especially ones as fiery and unpretentious as Amyl & The Sniffers.

But the conversation soon turned to a thornier topic: Nick Cave’s stance on AI and its role in music. Cave has been vocal about his initial discomfort with AI, describing it as “unbelievably disturbing” and fearing it might have a “humiliating effect” on creativity. Yet, ironically, a recent video celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Bad Seeds’ classic “Tupelo” used AI to animate archival images of Elvis Presley, stirring up questions from fans.

One pointed question came from Graham in Sydney, asking if Cave was “selling his soul to AI” and whether he “sleeps well at night knowing you are going to hell.” Cave’s cheeky response? The ‘Zzzz’ emoji — a masterclass in non-verbal shade.

On the flip side, Carol from Blackburn shared a touching reaction to the Elvis imagery, saying it made her cry because of “that beautiful young boy.” Cave simply answered “yes,” acknowledging the emotional power of the piece.

Check out the AI-animated tribute video to Tupelo here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnDm9w2F3KE

Wrestling With AI: A Change of Heart

The AI controversy deserves a closer look. Director Andrew Dominik, who created the “Tupelo” video as a gift, used AI without Cave’s knowledge. Initially skeptical, Cave was encouraged by Dominik to “Suspend your fucking prejudices and take a look!”

What happened next was surprising. Cave described the video as “an extraordinarily profound interpretation of the song – a soulful, moving, and entirely original retelling of ‘Tupelo’, rich in mythos and a touching tribute not only to Elvis Presley but also to the song itself.”

The AI-rendered Elvis images had what Cave called an “uncanny quality, as if he had been raised from the dead,” with the crucifixion-resurrection motifs toward the end being “both shocking and deeply affecting.”

“As I watched Andrew’s surreal little film, I felt my view of AI as an artistic device soften. To some extent, my mind was changed.”
— Nick Cave

That’s a big deal coming from an artist who once viewed AI so warily. It shows how art, even when created with unexpected tools, can transcend technology and connect deeply with human emotion.

Recent Projects and Collaborations

While fans eagerly await the 2026 Brighton event, Cave hasn’t been resting. Following the release of the critically acclaimed album Wild God last year with The Bad Seeds, the band toured the UK and North America earlier this year — their first North American tour since 2018, after the pandemic caused cancellations.

Cave’s creative endeavors extend beyond music. He’s teaming up with longtime collaborator Warren Ellis to score the TV adaptation of his 2009 novel The Death of Bunny Munro. Plus, he’s joined forces with Bryce Dessner of The National to craft a new song for the upcoming Netflix film Train Dreams.

Reflections on Connection and Community

In a 2023 interview, Cave reflected on how The Red Hand Files changed his relationship with fans and his perception of audience connection. He noted that from his early days with The Birthday Party and the first Bad Seeds, his goal was always transcendence — to lift the audience to a “heightened state,” even when the music was aggressive or raw.

“My methods are just different these days – there’s much more of a feeling of community, inclusiveness and hopefully transcendence; that we get together and hopefully arrive at a different place through the participation in the music. It’s definitely a two-way thing. It’s an outpouring and in-taking of love.”
— Nick Cave

This sentiment reminds us that beyond the dark, poetic lyrics and intense performances, Cave’s work is about connection, shared experience, and emotional catharsis — something that keeps fans coming back to his music, show after show.

Wrapping It Up: A New Chapter for Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

With a “massive” show on the horizon in Brighton and evolving views on the creative use of AI, Nick Cave continues to surprise and inspire. His openness about new influences, collaborations, and even critics shows an artist who’s not stuck in the past but grappling honestly with the future of music and art.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to his world, there’s never been a better time to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.

FAQs

• What is the ‘massive’ Bad Seeds show Nick Cave mentioned?
  It’s a large-scale concert planned for Brighton in 2026, where Cave currently lives.
• Why did Nick Cave change his mind about AI in art?
  After seeing an AI-animated video by Andrew Dominik for “Tupelo,” Cave found it profoundly moving, which softened his initial skepticism.
• Does Nick Cave like Amyl & The Sniffers?
  Yes, he expressed clear admiration for the punk band in his recent Q&A.
• What recent projects is Nick Cave involved in?
  Along with touring, Cave is scoring the TV adaptation of The Death of Bunny Munro and collaborating on a song for the Netflix film Train Dreams.
• How does Nick Cave view his connection with the audience now?
  He emphasizes community, inclusiveness, and transcendence, aiming to create a shared emotional experience during performances.

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