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Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve performed for two and half-hours including four encores, premiering six new songs and a "new" no-mic. finale.
Elvis strolled onto a darkened Apollo Theatre stage with his Jazzmaster strapped over his shoulder and launched into a rather muted/badly mixed version of a new song "Alibi Factory" to kick of his latest show with Steve Nieve. At the end of this first song the lights slowly illuminated the stage in purple and green. Steve Nieve was stage left with an array of keyboards, midi system and computer in addition to the Steinway piano to accompany, and sometimes dominate, Elvis through the next two and half hours of songs from their musical past, present and future. As Valerie, my wife remarked Steve Nieve reminds her of Animal from the Muppets.
The show featured six new songs including the aforementioned opening song, the familiar "You Lie Sweetly," a song from The Delivery Man project and two from his latest acting assignment!
Steve made full use of his new technology on the beatbox driven "Clubland," the "avant-garde" arrangement of "Green Shirt," "Watching The Detectives" and "Shipbuilding," bringing new life to this very familiar songs.
Elvis was relaxed and in fine voice and enjoyed good humour banter with the audience throughout the show. The audience were all very responsive joining in where required on "Radio Sweetheart," "God's Comic" "Red Shoes." This evening may help Elvis forget his last visit to Oxford with the Attractions which he summed up in one song: "This Is Hell."
"God's Comic" included topical reference to Cherie Blair's pregnancy — wife of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Starting the "encores" after an hour on stage did seem strange, but on reflection it made me and probably others appreciate more the new arrangements of "Clubland," "Green Shirt," and "Watching The Detectives."
The concert was slightly spoilt at the beginning by an idiot behind me shouting "Crank it up Elvis," before hopefully it dawned on him that this was mainly an acoustic evening.
As usual at the end Elvis was reluctant to leave the stage. After the usual final song of "Couldn't Call It Unexpected No. 4" a very enjoyable concert, which the audience and Elvis didn't want to end, concluded with a no-mic "Favourite Hour." A real treat kneeing at the feet of Elvis and listening to one of my favourite songs.
After a shaky start it all came right in the end, EC and Steve Nieve still keep you guessing or in the words of a bootleg, "Expect The Unexpected."
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