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From the moment Elvis Costello walked on stage in a suit, tie and silver winkle picker shoes, it looked like it was going to be a night to remember.
For two solid hours, he performed almost back to back songs from his extensive back catalogue and right up to his current album, The Delivery Man. No support band, and very few breaks between songs. Just two hours of solid Costello. I had known his reputation as a prolific songwriter, but I had no idea he was such as charismatic frontman and accomplished guitarist. Stagehands brought on and took off a dazzling array of guitars as Elvis ran through a set ranging from sometimes almost discordant jamming through to quiet, intimate, acoustic songs.
The best songs from his current album, including "Country Darkness," "Monkey to Man" and "The Delivery Man" itself were met with considerable applause, while older songs, such as "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea," also provoked roars of approval. Old favourites "Oliver's Army," "Watching the Detectives" and "Pump It Up" formed the climax of the show, before a final, quiet acoustic tune brought the show to a final close.
It was a stunning show from one of Britain's most talented songwriters.
Someone after the show said he was like the British Bruce Springsteen, and they were not far wrong.
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