It’s been a long time coming but we finally got to see Elvis Costello last night. We had initially been scheduled to see him play May 2012 but the gig was cancelled due to Costello losing his voice. When it was finally rescheduled it was for 13 months later! Given that the last time I had seen him play was in 1984 an extra year didn’t seem so bad and at least this time he wasn’t being supported by the Pogues.
When you have a back catalogue as large as Costello satisfying everyone is always going to be difficult but he had neatly got around this issue by having a large “wheel of fortune” on stage which members of the audience were selected to spin. It would stop on a song title or something that suggested a group of songs and that would set off the next segment of the show. You can see the set list below.
Amongst this audience participation were also some set pieces such as when Costello walked through the auditorium while singing hits such as She accompanied by only the excellent Steve Nieve on the piano. He also “did a Tunstall” and sang without mic, which was pretty impressive.
It was certainly worth the wait and we definitely got our money’s worth as he was on for two hours 45 minutes. I don’t know about him but I was exhausted!
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Basingstoke, England
June 20th, 2013
Overture – featuring the former Mother Superior of Our Lady of Perpetual Torment, Dixie De La Fontaine
I Hope You’re Happy Now
Heart Of The City
Uncomplicated
The Spectacular Spinning Songbook – with The Mysterious Josephine – Your Guide From Your Place In The Stalls To Your Place In The Stars
“Happy” Jackpot – Spin 1
I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down
High Fidelity
Temptation
Secondary Modern
Watch Your Step
Possession
King Horse
Beyond Belief – Spin 2
Clubland – IMPROMPTU
Good Year For The Roses – Spin 3
Still Too Soon To Know/Crawling Back – IMPROMPTU
Indoor Fireworks – IMPROMPTU
“Joker” – Spin 4
Oliver’s Army
Less Than Zero – IMPROMPTU
The Hammer Of Songs
Alison
Bedlam – Spin 5
Drum & Bone – IMPROMPTU
Country Darkness – IMPROMPTU
It Tears Me Up – IMPROMPTU
I Want You – IMPROMPTU
“Joanna” Interlude
She
Talking In the Dark
I Still Have That Other Girl
Interlude
Shipbuilding
A Slow Drag With Josephine
Walking My Baby Back Home – For Liam & Arlene
Jimmie Standing In The Rain
Tramp The Dirt Down
Finale
Chelsea
Pump It Up
Peace, Love and Understanding
Above list taken from here..