Nick Cave is a post-punk rocker who has been writing and performing for close to half a century. Many of his lyrics deal with difficult and uncomfortable issues, and he and his band (the Bad Seeds) were once dubbed “the Most Violent Band in the World.” Despite this, and the fact I don’t like loud, crowded places, and am unfamiliar with many of his songs, it may seem odd that I would jump at the chance to attend one of his concerts, but when I heard he was playing in Boston, I knew I had to see him. It’s his writing that got me.

I am a huge fan of The Red Hand Files, a newsletter where he responds to questions from people who are interested in hearing what he has to say about all the messiness and beauty of life. In short, a no holds barred, ongoing conversation with his fans that often deals with topics such as grief, and its sister emotion, love. He seems to hold a great deal of wisdom and expertise in both, likely due to his experiences: losing his father as a boy, being addicted to heroin for two decades, and living through the death of two of his children. Yet he seems to have found a way to take all his tragedy and loss, and rather than shying away from it, turn it into a sense of peace. He could have stopped there certainly, but he instead shares his thoughts and doubts, and in doing so, I think, offers hope to others by accepting people where they are, offering a path to redemption, and extending his hand in empathy.

I find his writing to be beautiful and full of inspiration, and was thrilled to find his concert left me feeling the exact same way (doubly thrilled to have been able to be there with my husband and our two twenty-somethings). The arena was filled with college kids, senior citizens, and every age in between, all screaming and swaying in harmony to his mesmerizing voice. It is hard to take your eyes off him when he is on stage as he reaches out and touches people as he sings, talks directly to the audience, allows groups of outstretched hands to carry him into the air, and always, always graces us with the full experience of living. I’m so glad I went.