Elbow - Vorst Nationaal Brussels & Lotto Arena Antwerp (Belgium)

What a great weekend!

The crowd was a bit more enthusiastic in Brussels then in Antwerp, during 'One Day Like This' everyone was swaying their arms, even people sitting on the balcony. I've been to a lot of concerts in my life but I haven't witnessed something like that often. It was beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QieEAmkGTJ0&feature=related
At one point in the show Guy was joking: 'the spirit of Jim Kerr has entered me'. I don't think a band like Elbow needs these kind of tricks but on the other hand it did work and there was a great atmosphere. And of course there was the usual banter in between songs which was fun.

They had a drink at their 20th anniversary: “To the days when I was skinny and Richard had long hair”. "Too bad the first 10 years we were shit"
One of the highlights for me was 'The Night Will Always Win'. Also very nice to hear 'The River' and 'Dear Friends', which I hadn't heard before. A pity they didn't play more old(er) songs though, 'Station Approach' was fantastic. I think most of the audience only knows their two last albums, but that should not stop them playing some old stuff too I think. Not surprisingly 'Lippy Kids' got a big (deserved) applause, it was a big hit in Belgium in the single-charts (in the Rock Werchter live version).

Both shows were amazing, I had a fantastic time.

The Birds
The Bones of You
Mirrorball
Neat Little Rows
Grounds for Divorce
The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver
The Night Will Always Win
The River
Some Riot
Dear Friends
Lippy Kids
Weather to Fly
Open Arms

Encore:
Starlings
Station Approach
One Day Like This

Hello Nancy, good to hear you had a good time !
I agree with you that they should play old songs more often, it's good to know they played station approach for exemple.

Does someone know if they keep the same playlist for all their gig for this tour ?

we came over from the UK to see this concert- thought it was fab! would have been nice to hear older stuff but as usaul the band produced a highly amusing and totally absorbing 1 1/2 hours of fab music- thought provoking lyrics and wonderful drumming, piano and guitar not to forget the trumpets¬!!

the string quartet was stunning - again- as usual!

having seen the Sheffield concert in March- the playlist is very similar with a couple of variations only.

helen wrote:

the string quartet was stunning - again- as usual!

Yeah, I was there really early and the string quartet played some Elbow songs as suport-suport act, also older Elbow songs. That was beautiful.

Sounds like it was a really great concert ! It's nice to hear that the setlist has been changed slightly for their European tour and that you got to hear some other new songs. I would absolutely love to hear Dear Friends live so I hope it stays on the setlist for a while!

We haven't heard from Mr and Mrs Woman - did you both enjoy the gig?

Hi Ticky. Of course it was excellent and we had a fantastic weekend! A bit tired after our whistle-stop visit to the continent - 5 hours sleep on Friday, followed by a 21 hour day on Saturday, followed by another 5 hour sleep and eventually getting back home at 10.00pm on Sunday night: A bit hectic for my advancing years, but *absolutely* well worth it . Loved it.

Nancy summed up the evening beautifully, so not much to add with regard to the set and how it went down. Will have to check out the YouTube footage (should be easy to pick out the light reflecting off my the top of my head LOL). We were right at the barrier, Potter-side; Sang ourselves into oblivion.

My poor throat is completely shot now and I have a slightly bereft feeling because it's over and we may have to wait some time now before we get to see them again.

Thanks for your reviews on this concert ! I watched some links through youtube... well, it seems really fantastic ! I wished to be there...

Well, had a bit of a lucky break (thank you tax-man and Elbow-gods!) and treated myself to a Brussels trip!
The gig was fantastic - the boys looked like they were really enjoying themselves!
Favourite moment:
M... (he shall remain unnamed...) making a serious booboo during "The Night Will Always Win" - the lads falling around laughing,
(especially Pete!) and Guy desperately trying to hold it together and not quite managing it...

Fab night, fab gig and a fab time was had with Mr+MrsW!
It really is so much more fun when you're with other Elboholics!
Thanks guys!

Not much left for me to add; it really was an excellent gig, with the best of company too.
It was *that* good, I ended up singing & shouting myself hoarse as well!

So seeing as I've been a lazy sod for not posting much, here's some photos: *plays interlude music*

Brussels gig set

Great pics ! Thanks !

I had a great time in Belgium. The shows were fantastic. Lovely to see Jones & Mr & Mrs W at the front of the Brussels gig. We had a great spec despite the attempts of some rude Belgian woman who did her best to steal our position.
I have to say I'll be planning more elbow shows on the continent as the venue's are a bit smaller than the Arena's that they tend play in the UK these days.

I'm just catching up with some of the posts on here. Would LOVE to go to some gigs abroad with some of you lot, it would be a blast. Perhaps next tour... Glad you all had a great time!

Guy kissed my girlfriend's hand during Station Approach. She still gets giddy thinking about that now. Amazing gig.

This is the video for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEJ1gYlqmE