I read somewhere last week that if Guy Garvey of Elbow was to sing the telephone directory, it would be interesting. I’m not 100% sure I’d agree, but Elbow write enough brilliant songs that he’ll never need to revert to the Yellow Pages.
Last night – we went to the Porchester Hall in Paddington to see Elbow play an intimate gig ahead of a full scale tour in April, the venue holds I guess about 500 people with a relatively small stage at one end. It was just big enough for Elbow and a small string section who accompanied them on about 6 or 7 songs.
Sound was excellent – although I think Mr Garvey was suffering with his monitor earplugs and the aftermath of a cold that he mentioned on the radio last week – however it didn’t hinder him too much as his voice sounded perfect.
Click more for a full review, setlist and some photos
The set was a good mixture of new and old, with four tunes I think from the new album – The Loneliness of a Tower Crane driver was my favourite of these…dark and brooding with an amazing soaring middle section. Grounds for Divorce was excellent with Garvey smashing the bejaysus out of a lump of aluminium. There were crowdpleasers like Station Approach, Leaders of the Free world and the marvelous Fugitive Motel.
Encore (after forcing us into a version of Happy Birthday for ‘Terry’ was The Stops and Newborn – which he dedicated to a couple of front row fans who were expecting a baby – congratulations to them and the unborn one who was treated to a new opening line: "I’ll be the duck in your bathtub". I love Newborn as a set-closer, the climax of the song is stunning and shows the whole band at full tilt.
Once again – Elbow muscle back into my top gigs of all time, I thought Koko was special but this venue coupled with a great view, and lovely sound made this a special night out.
SetList (I think – scribbled down a bit)
Station Approach
The Bones Of You
Red
Fugitive Motel
One Day Like This
Switching Off
The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver
Grounds For Divorce
Leaders Of The Free World
McGreggor (The B-side to Forget Myself)
Great Expectations
Forget Myself
The Stops
Newborn
hehe it was a great night. Duck in your bathtub was genius.