Elvis Costello live review by Ryan Beardsley
Sadly, there aren’t many genuine legends left, and as it becomes clearer that we just don’t make them anymore, the fact we have a bonafide one on stage in London tonight at the Palladium is cause for celebration.
Elvis Costello, 70 years young and accompanied by his old Imposters and Attractions foil Steve Nieve as well as a mini horns orchestra, set us up for a night of experimental takes on the old classics which is so laid back, at times it resembles a big jam session and all the better for it.
Oliver’s Army is out early for the mass singalong, which Costello abruptly stops before the dreaded use of the N word, he then dutifully explains why he can’t sing it anymore and recounts a new verse instead, it’s all very warm and fuzzy.
Things get a little bit out there for I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea accompanied only by Nieve on the piano. It’s a bold move that still lands, as Costello saunters around the stage from mic to mic, performing it almost like a beatnik poet.
He’s in great spirits throughout, joshing with the audience and regaling us with tales from the past, notably his first Top Of The Pops nearly 50 years ago, and there is a huge chemistry between he and Nieve and a genuine affection throughout, making it feel like two old friends just having fun and this permeates the show all night.
We get the more traditional takes on the classics, Clubland for example before it unexpectedly merges into Specials classic Ghost Town, it’s really that sort of night and why not? He’s been playing these songs for 50 years, it’s his right to mix it up.
Costello goes solo for A Face In The Crowd on the ivories and it’s genuinely drop everything, stop what you’re thinking for a performance where time stands still and you can’t deny we’re in the presence of true musical greatness.
One of my all time favourites, his cover of She made famous by nineties rom-com Notting Hill is up next, I’m momentarily distracted by Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci edging past me in the middle of the performance, how can you leave here of all songs?? Anyway, it’s as magical as expected, tender and sincere, and leaves me wistfully reminiscing about the one that got away.
The second half of the show brings out the LIPA Horns Section to add a further twist to beloved hits, Watching The Detectives and eventually Shipbuilidng, one of the finest songs ever written sound suitably epic with the brass additions making up for some small understandable discrepancies in Elvis’s voice after two hours.
The night culminates in …Peace, Love and Understanding for a rip-roaring send off and curtain call after a mammoth show with something for everybody, old and new fans alike. Who knows how long they will keep touring, if like me this was one is the bucket list, I advise you not to hesitate before it’s too late. Tickets here
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