Post by leoroberts on Jun 12, 2015 11:57:11 GMT
I first saw Elvis Costello back when he was young and I was even younger - as a student. He played with his band (The Attractions) and it was one of the best live gigs I had been to. End of.
So, when my eldest daughter told me he was on at Bridgewater Hall I bought us a couple of mouthwateringly expensive tickets (yes, she likes him too) and prepared myself for an evening of nostalgia and, errrr, well, mostly nostalgia!
The stage set was great - a big old style TV dominated - and, whilst waiting for the support it was playing his video back catalogue. Now, I've often listened to 'sympathetic' music being played in the build up to a gig - but never the main artist's music before and it really served to get us in the mood. He made excellent videos as well as great songs. I was surprised at how old the audience were - and then realised that I wasn't exactly doing my bit to bring down the average age...
The support act was Larkin Poe - two sisters (Rebecca and Megan Lovell) from Atlanta, Georgia. Accompanied by a drummer, Rebecca played guitar, mandolin and violin whilst Megan plays lap slide. Rebecca has the most amazingly shapely legs. But I digress.
And a joyous noise it was, too! Some lovely melodies/harmonies and great playing. They played for 30 minutes or so before there was a short intermission.
It was at this point that my world view changed. Elvis Costello came on stage ON TIME! In fact, he was a couple of minutes early. I didn't think headline acts were allowed to do that. I just assumed that they had to be at least 15 minutes late...
It was just as well, though, as he treated us to a set containing his full repertoire, and his many hits, that lasted 135 minutes (including 2 encores).
The first part of his set was just him - with an array of 7 acoustic guitars and a ukulele. Oh, and a piano. And he played them all. There was great (what I believe is called) banter with the audience and he came across as a really nice bloke. Which, apparently, he is. Plenty of little digs at Manchester from a scouser - the cockles of my heart were duly warmed.
For the second part of the set he brought Rebecca and Megan back on to provide mandolin and lap slide accompaniment to his songs - as well as vocal harmonies. It was wonderful to listen to.
(taken from a show in Munich last year)
He didn't pick up an electric guitar until the first encore (again with Larkin Poe - with whom I am a little bit in love) but went back to acoustic for the final song: "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?"
Completely different from when I first saw him so many years ago - but equally superb. Expensive tickets, yes, but tremendous value for money at less than £15 an hour all told. And the award winning stem ginger ice cream was more than a little pleasant
So, when my eldest daughter told me he was on at Bridgewater Hall I bought us a couple of mouthwateringly expensive tickets (yes, she likes him too) and prepared myself for an evening of nostalgia and, errrr, well, mostly nostalgia!
The stage set was great - a big old style TV dominated - and, whilst waiting for the support it was playing his video back catalogue. Now, I've often listened to 'sympathetic' music being played in the build up to a gig - but never the main artist's music before and it really served to get us in the mood. He made excellent videos as well as great songs. I was surprised at how old the audience were - and then realised that I wasn't exactly doing my bit to bring down the average age...
The support act was Larkin Poe - two sisters (Rebecca and Megan Lovell) from Atlanta, Georgia. Accompanied by a drummer, Rebecca played guitar, mandolin and violin whilst Megan plays lap slide. Rebecca has the most amazingly shapely legs. But I digress.
And a joyous noise it was, too! Some lovely melodies/harmonies and great playing. They played for 30 minutes or so before there was a short intermission.
It was at this point that my world view changed. Elvis Costello came on stage ON TIME! In fact, he was a couple of minutes early. I didn't think headline acts were allowed to do that. I just assumed that they had to be at least 15 minutes late...
It was just as well, though, as he treated us to a set containing his full repertoire, and his many hits, that lasted 135 minutes (including 2 encores).
The first part of his set was just him - with an array of 7 acoustic guitars and a ukulele. Oh, and a piano. And he played them all. There was great (what I believe is called) banter with the audience and he came across as a really nice bloke. Which, apparently, he is. Plenty of little digs at Manchester from a scouser - the cockles of my heart were duly warmed.
For the second part of the set he brought Rebecca and Megan back on to provide mandolin and lap slide accompaniment to his songs - as well as vocal harmonies. It was wonderful to listen to.
(taken from a show in Munich last year)
He didn't pick up an electric guitar until the first encore (again with Larkin Poe - with whom I am a little bit in love) but went back to acoustic for the final song: "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?"
Completely different from when I first saw him so many years ago - but equally superb. Expensive tickets, yes, but tremendous value for money at less than £15 an hour all told. And the award winning stem ginger ice cream was more than a little pleasant
Jo whoever he is.
