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Cult figures whose careers may be taking a turn into stardom dominate the concert scene during the next week.
The eccentric Elvis Costello, the much-praised British singer-songwriter, will make his third local appearance Thursday at the St. Paul Civic Center Theater.
The 24-year-old former computer programmer with the opportunistic pseudonym doesn't grant interviews, but he has become a media favorite because of his quirky persona and striking music. Costello looks like a cross between Buddy Holly and Woody Allen, he writes biting lyrics and catchy tunes and his performing style is as quirky as his appearance.
In his Twin Cities debut in February 1978, Costello came off as fascinating but unpolished. He seemed more confident in his second appearance a few weeks later but he was upstaged by his producer Nick Lowe, whose band opened the concert.
Now, Costello returns as a cult figure whose time has come. Even though he has yet to score a hit single, his recently issued third album, Armed Forces, has bounded into the top 10 on the album charts and earned gold record status.
Surprisingly, critical reaction to Forces has been mixed. Some critics have called it Costello's best effort while others have said the words are too self-consciously clever and the music too homogeneous. Nevertheless, reviews of Costello's concerts have been consistent raves.
Opening the Costello show will be the Rubinoos, a very cute pop-rock band.
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