Gig reports.. CONTAINS SPOILERS

Saw them in Leicester tonight, second time I've seen, them, first was at glastonbury which of course was brilliant but they were even better in their own gig. I love how Guy is so friendly with the audience, he was always joking around and he said something at the end about it being one of the best gigs they've played

Highlights for me were Starlings(such a spine tingling intro), Leaders of the Free World(awesome), Mirrorball(so beautiful of course), One Day lIke this(will never get tired of the singalong) and every song in the encore as it was fantastic!

Would have liked them to have played Forget Myself, My Very Best and Fugitive Motel but I suppose you can never have them all, it was great anyway

dislocated northerner wrote:

I was rooting for "Tainted love" last night, leo. Good choice.

thanks mate. im just elated that i got to speak to god!!

Guy did say that about Leicester last night.
Got to say it was a fantastic atmosphere-a lot better than London in my opinion.

Roll on Manchester on the 30th.

Saw the band for the 1st time at Leicester this week. Class event and a class album. I am new on the scene and dont know how Elbow have slipped through the net for me.

Was the lad and girl getting engaged a sham or was it true. Spoke to a lad today and he thought it was a set up.

Love De Montfort Hall for a venue. Was the atmosphere better than at Wolverhampton? I was going to go there instead but chose Leicester.

Shocked to see empty seats too. With the press from The Mercury Award i thought it would have tipped the scales in the bands favour to sell out the tour!!

daveandthekids wrote:

Was the lad and girl getting engaged a sham or was it true. Spoke to a lad today and he thought it was a set up.

I'd be surprised if it was a sham, couldn't believe that Paul and Karen happened to be 2 seats away from me in the top corner and they seemed to be genuine, I may be wrong but the girl seemed genuinely shocked and she did disappear for about 20 minutes not long afterwards so I don't see a reason for it being a set up.

Loved De montfort hall as well, but did you really see empty seats, the gig had been listed as sold out for weeks.

Yeah, there were about 20 seats on the left hand side and maybe the same on the right side of the balcony. We were in Row J SEATS 34-35 infront of yourself and there were 3 seats empty there too.

Guy said on leaving that he thought the gig was one of, if not the best so far on the tour?

I know they say this a lot but might it have been as there was no talking within the audience on the quiet moments, the engagement and the banter? Also they seemed to have a kindred ship with the Hall themselves!

If you see a band like Elbow or Corrinne Bailey Rae at the Carling Acadamy in Brum, they never shut the fcuk up and spoil the atmosphere of intimate moments, similarly with Wolverhampton too (just people getting pished)!!

dont know how Elbow have slipped through the net for me.
Tell me about it. I've 'converted' loads of people. However, once heard, never forgotten. And they usually buy the entire back catalogue!

If you see a band like Elbow or Corrinne Bailey Rae at the Carling Acadamy in Brum, they never shut the fcuk up
Not at the Birmingham Academy in March. It was like Leicester-only better.
So far, of all the gigs I've been to, only London had the pish-heads and talkers. Oh and of course someone offering a perfectly innocent gig-goer the chance to "have a conversation outside"
Wanker...

And they usually buy the entire back catalogue!

Just on my way now to Virgin Megastore.

Have they only used strings heavily on SSK?

I find it interesting to here music so refreshing after such a period of time together.

You would expect SSK to be the 1st album to be released being so accomplished, obviously this is before i have purchased the back catalogue.

These purchases will enrich and change your life.
After seeing them, I went out and bought the lot!

Every album is as beautiful as SSK in its own way.

Welcome to the board and the Mighty Elbow...

Joe

josephblack wrote:

[i]If you see a band like Elbow or Corrinne Bailey Rae at the Carling Acadamy in Brum, they never shut the fcuk up
Not at the Birmingham Academy in March. It was like Leicester-only better.
So far, of all the gigs I've been to, only London had the pish-heads and talkers. Oh and of course someone offering a perfectly innocent gig-goer the chance to "have a conversation outside"
Wanker...

At London gigs it does depend where you are in the venue. The first night I was very near the front, people there are less likely to be drinking and talking through music. The second night I went seated upstairs, which made it like a different gig. I had a good view, close to the stage and there was absolutely no talking except while waiting for them to come on stage after Jesca Hoop. In that interval made friends with people next to us. Upstairs seating at the Roundhouse had a lovely audience and atmosphere. I noticed there were quite a few families with children, and couples who looked even older than me. I think the guys were more relaxed by the second night in London too.
The 3d illusion cube backdrop with its changing colours, the lighting and sound management, certainly has made this tour seem even more polished and accomplished. I've noticed some really magical photos of some of this tour's gigs on flickr site.

daveandthekids wrote:

And they usually buy the entire back catalogue!

Just on my way now to Virgin Megastore.

Have they only used strings heavily on SSK?

I find it interesting to here music so refreshing after such a period of time together.

You would expect SSK to be the 1st album to be released being so accomplished, obviously this is before i have purchased the back catalogue.

They used strings on COTH, and toured with strings then, so wonder why songs from that album have been missed out this tour with strings.

At London gigs...

Maybe because it was a Saturday night?
I was standing next to/nearby quite a few tossers who were legless and wanted to be my 'friend'

Not just London on a Saturday night out - I had a small group loudly taking photos of each other (and bumping into me) and having a good goissip - during Scattered B&W (!) - at Delamere Forest, near the front, where (most) people had gone to listen and really get into it - plenty of opportunity for picnics and fun further out/by the bar. I turned round and gave them a look and got a sarky "is our talking disturbing you, sorreee" followed by loud sarcasm about how this was the most "civilised" gig they'd been to... All of which almost spoilt Scattered B&W for me (but would be impossible to do so totally )
Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. I guess I'm just getting p***ed off with people gassing instead of listening at gigs (not that it's anything new, but it seems to have been happening a lot recently...) </rant> Just hope they're a "civilised" crowd at Liverpool next week. (PS just in case you think I'm a totally miserable git I certainly don't mean banter and/or joining in where appropriate...)

The reasons a few people state above is one of the reasons i was happy to see Elbow play the Sage as opposed to anywhere else in Newcastle/Gateshead, although it is an all seated venue which is a shame as many liek a good dance/boogie etc. Every gig i have been to at Sage has had everyone listening and taking in the music, no one getting drunk, no one talking LOUDLY, and the people are there for the music. Whereas at the academy when they last came it was hardly the quietest gig i been to. People should either shut up or buy the cd and talk over it loudly at home. Heres hoping i wont be ranting in this way come Monday night!

Sorry Its so big. I need to work on my resizing!

Big is beautiful...

Lovely pictures And as we're doing it...













I personally enjoy the literal back slapping in that one!

Great pictures there, wish I could have been that close to get pictures like that.

Ooooooh my gosh!!! I am so exited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEEDS ACADAMY!

Starlings
The Bones of You
Leaders of the Free World
Mirrorball
Grounds for Divorce
The Stops
The Lonliness of a Tower Crane Driver
Newborn
Great Expectations
Forget Myself
Weather to Fly
One Day Like This

Some Riot
Station Approach
Scattered Black and Whites

Quite sure that was it, don't hold me to the order. In any case it was fucking brilliant, best I've ever seen them. Guy was on absolute top form, Craig nice and loud in the mix and the set list was near on perfect for me. I'm one happy chappy.

i really wanted great expectations. but got mexican standoff instead. ah well, mexican standoff was still awesome

Which gig Leo?

Just back from Leeds. What can I say that hasn't already been said? It was my first Elbow live experience and has to be one, if not THE best gig I have ever been to (and I've been to a lot in my 36 years). The whole evening was completely mesmerising and bewithing. Guy's voice is unbelievable. I kept asking myself - how do these 5 normal looking blokes make that beautiful noise?

Highlight? Surprised myself by how blown away I was by Newborn. So much better live than on CD - this amazing cacophony that sent shivers down my spine and caused me to shed a tear. Only 2 off my wish list of 5 were played but it was still a wonderful experience. The whole evening felt like a great big hug from your favourite brother.

Roll on Gateshead and Manchester on 30th! Thank God I have them to look forward to - otherwise I fear that I would be suffering today from a sever case of post gig blues.