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The importance of being Elvis Costello is never to allow yourself to be typecast.
Remembering the tortured cries of adolescent anguish in his first two albums, it comes as something of a shock to witness the prolific versatility of one of Britain's finest song-writers on stage.
The anguish is still there, mixed with his always subtle lyrics, but for his Newcastle audience his opening number, "Accidents Will Happen," signalled that this was going to be a show as well. It thumped along with blistering intensity.
Elvis backed by the ultra-professional Attractions was continually switching moods, from raucous rockers, such as "Mystery Dance" to the eerily atmospheric "Watching The Detectives." Intermingled with these were softer ballads.
Yet even his most poignant classic ballad, "Alison," was so familiar to the enthusiastic audience that Elvis had to challenge our expectations with an up-tempo version. It was impossible to guess what treatment he would give his songs live, so even his most well-known songs sounded new.
The country and western hit "Good Year For The Roses" was transformed by the absence of wailing singers into a more simple lament.
Even his three encores kept up the tension between hard and fast slammed against soft and low.
Elvis Costello's songs have moved with the times while remaining fresh and vital. His performance was a driving vindication of his talents.
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