Elbow last night...
So, as part of my two weeks of holiday, last night I went over to Brixton Academy to see Elbow complete their UK tour in support of their new album 'The Seldom Kid'. If you don't own it, buy it. It's a great record - slightly understated, typically affecting Garvey lyrics, maybe not quite so good as Leaders of the Free World or Asleep in the Back.

Anyway. Support was from Two Gallants, an bluesy American two-piece who I've heard played on the radio a few times and were very enjoyable. They didn't do much but what they did they did well. Etc.

Elbow were, once again, magnificent. This time they've boosted their sound by the inclusion of a string trio (introduced as Jyoti, Stella and Margaret) who also sang some backing vocals. They really added to the sound in both the new and older songs. So the band came onstage to Starlings, miming (I suspect) the trumpet bits in the intro. They followed up with The Bones of You and Leaders of the Free World.

I must say, much as I enjoyed the show Elbow seem to have got to the annoying bit in their career where they have to start ignoring the back catalogue in favour of the newer (better known?) material and the album they have to promote. So the bulk of songs tonight are from the last two records, with just two from Asleep... and only one from Cast... which is a bit disappointing. However we do get an awesome version of Great Expectations and Richard Hawley comes on stage to guest during 'The Fix'. Other highlights included Guy messing up the intro to New Born and asking us all to boo him! The big singalongs to 'Some Day Like This' and 'Grace under Pressure' were also pretty good :-)

All in all a great night, slightly marred by difficulties in getting home caused by the Victoria line switching off before 11pm. Grrr. Will have to bare that in mind on Thursday for Portishead.

The setlist. Only one song from Cast of Thousands, but we did get Richard Hawley for The Fix :-D

1. Starlings
2. The Bones Of You
3. Leaders Of The Free World
4. Great Expectations
5. Mirrorball
6. Red
7. Grounds For Divorce
8. Forget Myself
9. The Fix
10. The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver
11. The Stops
12. Newborn
13. One Day Like This

14. Puncture Repair
15. Station Approach
16. Grace Under Pressure


Two Gallants





Guy and Richard Hawley

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