LG Arena, Saturday 5th April 2014

Hi all,

Very much looking forward to seeing Elbow at the LG Arena this coming Saturday. It'll be a bit of a change for me as previously I have only ever seen them at the O2 Arena in London.

I emailed the LG Arena to see if they had any times for the concert, and they replied with the following;

Forum live; 5pm
Arena doors; 6pm
String Quartet; 6.30pm
Jimi Goodwin; 7.30pm
Interval; 8.15pm
Elbow; 8.45pm
Finish; 10.45pm

Hope that's of use to anyone else who's going.

See you there!

Thanks for posting.   
Not going to this one but just curious:
what does "Forum live" mean?

Jones wrote:

Thanks for posting.   
Not going to this one but just curious:
what does "Forum live" mean?

was wondering the same thing myself, especially as its before the doors open to the public?

Looking forward, we'll be there on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing jimi Goodwin.      

Lynne wrote:

Looking forward, we'll be there on Saturday.  Looking forward to seeing jimi Goodwin.      

Saw Jimi live Lynne in Hebden Bridge last month, had a great night - album's good too.

I'll be getting in early in Liverpool to watch him.

Wonder if it's when all the systems - security, lights, admission, etc - are fired up to give them chance to fix anything before they *really* need to work? #guess

I would assume the forum going live is when you're allowed into the general area outside the gates?

Just had a look on the LG Arena website - it says 'The Forum Live stage provides a platform for unsigned, undiscovered and independent artists to perform at one of the world’s top entertainment arenas. We host everything from acoustic acts and comedians, to dancers and magicians. We’re always keen to give back to the industry and the Forum Live stage allows unsigned talent the opportunity to perform to thousands of people before the headline acts take to the main stage!'

Maybe that's a 'heads up' for all on ElbowFans and ERO to clamber on stage - topic ; getting stuck into the setlist for the coming tour - like a Question Time type scenario with Garvey getting pelters from MBV !

#boringmyselfnow   

Concert was wonderful, as ever. New songs sound fantastic and they played an absolutely stunning acoustic version of my favourite song of theirs ever "Great Expectations". Whole arena filled with silence as they played it; just Mark on acoustic guitar, Craig on piano and Guy's vocal, and then rapturous applause. Moment of the night, but it was all superb!

I would have liked a couple more oldies but, alas, it was not to be. I thought The Birds sounded much better this time around, especially the post middle-8 section that fell a bit flat on their BARB tour. They didn't play Open Arms which was a good thing - song is OK, but ODLT is better and a fitting closing number.

I would have maybe liked the title track from TTOALOE though, or maybe even Forget Myself or something loud and upbeat, but different.

I missed Weather to Fly too.

Great show though and the addition of a brass section definitely enhanced some of the songs.

Oh what a night! Elbow at their best as always, wouldn't expect anything less. Guy's voice sounding perfect as expected.  I cannot remember the set list but favourite by far of the night was Great Expectations, very emotional took me back to the first time saw them in Newport, a firm favourite.  Performed at the end of the runway with blanket of night which also sounded amazing. I still think the accoustic version of this far exceeds the album version. The Birds sounded particularly good and Real Life was a highlight too. Charge made for a really opener and received lots of appreciation.  Not so much arm waving as expected which was good and the banter from guy endearing as always.

To conclude a top night from the lads, though the burning feeling not to desperately buy tickets for another venue was a strange thing for me! I would have loved to heard Colourfields live, I know not a favourite with many from the album but I love it's upbeat tempo.  It would also have been good to hear the album title track to finish, although its not one of my favourites but would have been a good closer than the same old!   

PS. not sure what happened to the string quartet but they didn't make an appearance! Also how could I forget Jimi Goodwin he sounded amazing, will be getting his new album today. Said he was very nervous and was very endearing.

Great Expectations! Oh dear Lord, how wonderful! I will never stop loving that song to death and I'm so glad it made an appearance for you guys. Wonder if it will be something they do on the regular, or if there will be one "throwback" nugget per night that varies from show to show.

Glad to hear all the positive comments about how the songs sounded, and I am looking forward to more reports to come from all y'all.   

It was fantastic, as always. for me, "My Sad Captains" was the hi-light of the new songs. I really missed "Open Arms" but it is a fav' of mine from the last album. Guy was in fine voice and they all looked great!

Can only echo the comments made above.  Band seemed very 'in the groove' for the first night of a tour.  I know they have done warm ups plus the Maida Vale thingummy, but I would have expected more nerves and the odd bum note.  But no .. all smiles and confident assurance.

One minor criticism: they could have delved a bit further into the back catalogue.  A Newborn would have been good, as would a Station Approach.  

Went with my eldest lad and best mate and while they both loved it they commented that it was a very 'mellow' concert.  Guess you're not going to get any 'Back In Black' moments with the Boys from Bury  

Hope their next album explores darker themes and possibly have some more up-tempo songs .. just by way of variation.