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Elvis lives! And rock music's most unlikely-looking hero was undoubtedly Bridlington's major attraction so far this year for hundreds of fans.
The diminutive bespectacled one, looking larger and tubbier than his publicity shots would have us believe, blasted an appreciative audience into blissful oblivion.
Elvis Costello remains one of Britain's finest exponents of real Eighties pop music. Backed by the frighteningly-competent Attractions, one classic single followed another, interspersed with album tracks and songs from the forthcoming Don't Trust Us album.
"Pump It Up," "Accidents Will Happen" and "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" are no mean songs to start a concert with. The crowd was suitably appreciative and the whole night was subsequently bathed in a warm party feel.
Mr Costello is an impassioned performer, perfectly in tune with the fine talents of his band. Steve Nieve's rippling keyboards are particularly attractive, dominating a new bluesy number halfway through the set which is destined to become a vinyl classic.
But the Attractions are undoubtedly a backing band for the crooning talents of Elvis, the small, guitar-strumming superstar eternally clad in his individual-coloured spotlight.
Defying his much-publicised "moody" image, the man appeared warm, and happy, and proved himself to be no mean guitar player.
Elvis is a fascinating performer with a strange, off-hand aura which defies description. He won his fame by singing sad songs about the women he could never catch and today remains one of Britain's top pop song writers.
An intense, well-paced set climaxed with "Oliver's Army and a prolonged stomping battle from a packed audience to get him back on stage.
The cheers were worth it just to hear a storming version of probably his finest hour — the surging reggae of "Watching The Detectives."
"I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" closed the Saturday night out at the Spa ballroom, by which point Elvis Costello and his Attractions had won their way into everyone's heart and lungs.
It's easy to forget just how many classic songs the man has written, but seeing him live on stage provokes and seduces his audience into genuine appreciation for a relentless talent.
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