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We must have shed pounds in sweat by the time the bespectacled Man-in-Black arrived on the University platform.
Not even a smile as Elvis the Intruder drools through the opener of "Pills and Soap."
Not the zappiest of starts, but then again we were lucky to have him.
"This is the end of our English tour, so you'd better be good, Bradford," bellows Costello. On come The Attractions and away we go.
Excellent tracks from his latest Punch The Clock figure early, with Elvis introducing his armed forces in the shape of the safari-kitted brass section.
Four songs in and the pouting Costello launches into "Watching The Detectives," rejigged with a stylish reggae beat giving extra guts to an already great number.
Spitting out the lyrics we're given a half-hearted "Oliver's Army" before the emotive highlight of "Shipbuilding."
Wyatt may have the voice, but Elvis knows how it should be sung.
As usual the faultless Attractions drive Costello through a set fairly sprinkled with new and old.
Thankfully we're spared his forgotten era of Almost Blue and the depressing offerings from the Imperial Bedroom album.
First encore of "Everyday" was dedicated to "the best team of writers, Harold Robbins and Jackie Collins."
And back he comes for "I Can't Stand Up," "The Bells" and the rousing finale of "Pump It Up," reminding us how good a phase Costello enjoyed five years ago.
Hundreds left the hall content, but Costello never really gripped the audience with his lyrical genius like the angry man has done in years gone by.
His set was a well delivered package of bouncing pop music.
Nothing more than that.
Get Happy was the message — and it worked.
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