It's extremely rare for Nick Cave to play a gig in his adoptive hometown, and it seems the decision to play at the King Alfred Centre was motivated by whimsy - Grinderman have just been rehearsing there. It makes for a fabulous venue, vaguely incongruous and very intimate.

The band embodies the rock 'n' roll spirit. The three Bad Seeds accompanying Cave combined musical excellence with a carefree, throwaway approach. The abundantly bearded Warren Ellis shredded his violin bow, and songs were half-drowned in convulsive feedback, which was entirely appropriate. Cave himself frequently forgot lyrics, but more than made up for it with his compelling, intense stage presence.

No Pussy Blues and Love Bomb are typical of Grinderman's sound. Violent, abrasive and frenetic, they shook the walls of the sedate ballroom before the band ended with a stop-start Go Tell The Women.

One of the upsides of the Grindermen being comprised of Bad Seeds was revealed during the encore. The band performed gritty, loud versions of Tupelo and Get Ready For Love, before a quieter finale of The Mercy Seat and God Is In The House.

Fans waited a long time for Nick Cave to come "home", but the delay was more than worth it.