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Basically same setlist as the Royal Albert Hall on the 15th except four songs less ("Poor Fractured Atlas," "In the Darkest Place," "Almost Blue," "Peace, Love and Understanding").
I was delighted with the show and had deliberately not been reading setlists. But after checking on Birmingham and London I must express disappointment at getting short changed.
One possible reason for this was a comment by Elvis that he would not be asked back if he didn't finish up so maybe there is some sort of curfew. Ron Sexsmith started the show and played roughly 30 minutes solo with guitar. He played two new songs from his forthcoming third album which sounded as good as his current stuff.
Elvis and Steve hit the stage at about 8.55 and played until about 11.00. He was in fine voice and good humour making lots of comments.
It was difficult to judge the audience in terms of their familiarity with the material. There was some (too much in my view) early clapping for some of the false endings. ("Accidents Will Happen," "Radio Sweetheart," "God's Comic")
He got the audience going with the "Radio Sweetheart" / "Jackie Wilson Said" and "God's Comic" singalong parts.
Highlights for me were "Good Year For the Roses," well received; "I Want You," "Shipbuilding," "Veronica" and "God's Comic."
I enjoyed the introduction/background to some of the Painted From Memory songs and they allowed me appreciate them more, "Toledo" and "This House Is Empty Now" in particular. "Painted From Memory" (lovely piano).
At the last encore, Elvis talked about the Champions League semi-final football match being played last night (how often does he end up playing on the night of important matches?). He commented that "a lot of you have probably set videos and don't want to know the score." (I was nodding my head.) He paused and then said something like "first half Inzaggi, 1-0 Juventus, Inzaggi, 2-0 Juventus, Keane 2-1, Yorke 2-2, Keane booked, Cole 3-2." Big cheer. He then said "it hurts me to say it as I'm a Liverpool supporter." Then he went straight to (appropriately) "Red Shoes."
The finish with "Couldn't Call It Unexpected No. 4" was magic and a wonderful surprise. I was really glad I had not read the setlists.
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