BEEN THERE, LOVED THAT, BOUGHT A T-SHIRT
ELVIS COSTELLO AT UEA 2005
ERICA WARK
AS part of The Monkey Speaks His Mind Tour, Costello spoke to the crowd
about the pleasures and amusements of witnessing Evolution first hand. Whilst
taking great pleasure from the evolution of his music seen in The Delivery
Man, I was appalled by the apparent Devolution of a handful of audience
members.
Having heard a local radio broadcast tell that Costello planned to watch
the end of the football before his set I was prepared for a delay. However,
it seems that this was not a knowledge shared by all of the expectant audience.
While I can understand some frustration, I was utterly galled by the petty
chorus of boo-ing and to see beer thrown at him. I was front centre in the
audience whistling and smiling as he came on stage and I must stress that
the ill welcome was not a wish shared by the majority of us.
All this drama aside, it was well worth the wait. Costello was God-like.
An advantage of the UEA venue is that it provides an intimate atmosphere.
Watching him handling the guitar was a dream in itself. Vocally exquisite,
and holding the stage with such power and charisma; I willingly fell under
his spell.
26/05/05 Erica Wark