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Elvis Costello has performed in Atlanta nine times since he began touring 12 years ago, but it will be different when he performs at the Fox Theatre on Thursday.
For the first time in his career, Mr. Costello is touring in support of a hit album, Spike, and single, "Veronica."
Atlanta fans can expect to hear a wide range of tunes from the singer-songwriter's extensive songbook, from 1977's "Alison" right up to "Veronica," which peaked at No. 19 on Billboard's singles chart at the end of June. The summer hit is only the second Top 40 song for the Liverpool, England, native, who also scored with 1983's "Everyday I Write the Book."
When Mr. Costello undertook a solo tour earlier this summer, he claimed he needed to make money to hire a band. Thursday night, the sardonically self-described "beloved entertainer" will be joined by the six-man band Rude Five: sessions wizards Jerry Scheff (bass) and Larry Knechtel (keyboards), guitarist Steven Soles, percussionist Michael Blair, Tom Waits's guitarist Marc Ribot and drummer Pete Thomas, from Mr. Costello's longtime backing band, the Attractions.
The unpredictable Mr. Costello, 35, has employed various props during his past two tours, including a Wheel of Fortune-like device that the musician spun to determine his next song and a giant pin cushion featuring "13 deadly sins" (each representing various songs from Mr. Costello's repertoire). There will be no props this time, though Mr. Costello will perform an acoustic interlude about halfway through the show.
While in Atlanta earlier this year to promote Spike, which has sold 500,000 copies, Mr. Costello said his modest goal for 1989 was to earn enough money to refurbish his Dublin, Ireland, home — "just like everybody else." Based on the success of his album and tour, he should be able to add a new wing.
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