Nick Cave to Israeli Audience: “I Love You, I Love You, I’m F***ing Crazy About You”

After stunning the Israel-hating world (and even those of us who love Israel) with his huge show of support for Israel (and flipping the bird at BDS) at yesterday’s press conference, Aussie rocker has put on a hell of a show in his first concert – including more emphatic declarations of love for his Israeli fans.

What could almost be described as a cathartic performance, Cave and his band went from whispers to sporadic shouts and almost hysterical musical accompaniment and back again, creating some sort of a collective musical exorcism which opened up the audience to bask in the euphoria of the performance.

Throughout the show, the atmosphere was joyous, as the crowd, mostly aged 30 and up, could be seen grinning blissfully, often with eyes closed, singing along and reaching their arms out to touch the Australian musical icon who seemed to be all over the area.

What Cave lacked in friendly banter with the crowd in between songs, he made up for with constant physical interaction with the audience.

Only offering up a simple “Shalom Tel Aviv” and replying to an almost constant stream of “WE LOVE YOU!”s from the crowd in between songs: “I love you, I love you, I’m f***ing crazy about you” he replied before diving directly back into the band’s repertoire.

I have been hunting high and low* for footage of Nick saying this, but could not find any. I did, however, find some footage from the concert showing just how transfixed the crowd was as he sang and interacted with them.

https://youtu.be/shxKuMYTjBk

https://youtu.be/yA36qEMgQcU

https://youtu.be/IHjnKhDkmPs

In the meantime, Israel haters have been imploding over Nick’s pro-Israel/anti-BDS comments.

It is delightful.

https://www.facebook.com/steven.salaita/posts/10214771809517328

Is @nickcave taking a guided tour with a key 'Brand Israel' tourism agency, with a guide who just happens to have been a paratrooper on "the front lines" of major military assaults? pic.twitter.com/ULFp9aa7I3

— Boycott From Within (@BFW_IL) November 18, 2017

.@nickcave's performances in Tel Aviv and recent statement are a propaganda gift to Israeli apartheid. Nonetheless, we thank him for making one thing abundantly clear — playing Tel Aviv is never simply about music. pic.twitter.com/VkfRCXYnPt

— PACBI – BDS movement (@PACBI) November 19, 2017

* Yeah, A-Ha are coming to Israel too!