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Before Sunday's Elvis Costello concert Thanet rock fans were warned that a poor turn-out could mean the end of the road for such promotions.
Performers and groups in recent years have found local audiences cold and unresponsive — indeed, Thanet is regarded as the graveyard for performers.
Until last Sunday that is! For chart-topping Elvis Costello and his band The Attractions came to town.
The main hall at Margate Winter Gardens was packed with about 1,600 youngsters, all eager to see their hero in action.
From the moment that Costello — bearing a remarkable resemblance to Buddy Holly — bounced onto the stage, the cheering did not stop.
Although used to playing to larger audiences, the diminutive figure unleashed a whirlwind of sound and energy which whipped the crowd into a frenzy rarely witnessed at a Winter Gardens pop concert.
While Costello's brash and abrasive music might not appeal to everyone, a majority of the singing and dancing punters — who spent the entire gig clustered at the front of the stage — were well satisfied.
One point which didn't go well for Elvis was that the band were slightly too loud.
Sadly, the high volume tended to obscure his vocals — which aren't the strongest in the world — and masked some of the excellent songs presented.
Material from albums such as Armed Forces and Last Year's Model scored well but three tracks — "Can't Stand Up For Falling Down," "Girls Talk" and "Oliver's Army" — provided the high spots of the show.
At the end of the day the major factor of the event was that promoters should now be aware that Thanet is NOT an unattractive booking. Let's hope we see more gigs by bands like Costello and Co.
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