Gig reports.. CONTAINS SPOILERS

wolverhampton Joe

Aah yes. Great Expectations swapped for Forget Myself.

You'll just have to go again, Leo.

but where. im craving for more already!! haha

I was at Leeds. I was quite pissed cos I missed the first song due to my craving of a burger, then a police roadblock, due to a closed tunnel. So I ended up at the back. Kinda dissapointing. But, fantastic gig, great sound, and good banter. ODLT was great, loved the streamers. GFD was fantastic, far better that any recordings that I have heard. I also loved Some Riot.

As far as I can tell, Jonny's set list was correct.

Emma G wrote:

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.

First Elbow gig for me too. Why I've waited 7 years, I've no idea. Absolutely breathtaking performance and the sound was fantastic. Guy's mic was so clear. Only slight issue was the banal chit-chat from some members of the audience during less familiar (to them, presumably) material.

The collective noun for banal chit-chatters at gigs?

Shitbags.

Yeah! Oh my god, what a load of bastards, that Leeds crowd. Too many teenagers, says I.

i reckon i was the youngest at the wolverhampton gig.


everyone had beige cardigans and pipes. And glasses.....

Anyone else at Glasgow last night? Blinding performance I thought. I will write more when I have more time as I am in my uni library and I guess this doesn't count as real work. I am also reviewing the gig for the Edinburgh University student newspaper! My first venture into music journalism! I'll post the review and some pics later. x

leo wrote:

i reckon i was the youngest at the wolverhampton gig.


everyone had beige cardigans and pipes. And glasses.....

Leo, I was among the older contingent at wolverhampton (ripe old age of 46) and sported neither beige cardigan nor pipe! I did wear my glasses (comes to all of us, sadly), which enabled me to see the large number of bald heads from the middle aged safety of the balcony. There were many folks around even older than me, most behaving very respectfully and some with wild enthusiasm. Yes, it's still possible to be enthusiastic post-40!

Is there an Elbow demographic?

Coulldn't believe the level of noise during Jesca Hoops' set, especially as Guy had asked for a bit of respectful quiet while she performed.
DN xxxx

Ted wrote:

Anyone else at Glasgow last night? Blinding performance I thought. I will write more when I have more time as I am in my uni library and I guess this doesn't count as real work. I am also reviewing the gig for the Edinburgh University student newspaper! My first venture into music journalism! I'll post the review and some pics later. x

I was there, it was indeed a blinding gig. I think the set list was the same as Leeds - only slightly different in running order - but the encore was the same. I think. It was a busy weekend and brain is not in gear today.

dislocated northerner wrote:

Coulldn't believe the level of noise during Jesca Hoops' set, especially as Guy had asked for a bit of respectful quiet while she performed.
DN xxxx

Same in Leeds - apparently anywhere there are bars in the main hall it's the same

Leicester has been the best for her so far...apparently no drink in the standing area there.

I was at Glasgow as well i was one of the nutters with sombreroes (souvenir from tenerife it was aamazing and he giggled at me in my sombrero when he came out for Starlings and i was really pissed off at the noise towards the end of Jesca Hopps' performance. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

That was you guys with the sombreros! I was the big ginger guy front centre just to the right of you lot. Awesome gig I thought even if one of the security guys told me to stop filming: "photos only" apparently. I bought an Elbow mug which I thought was a really cool item in the style of an old penguin book. Nice to have sort of met you Grant!

Sombreros in Glasgow?
Did anyone see the 5 guys with DSV at the barrier at the first night at the Roundhouse? They had Dave Stewart sunglasses on and white fluffy bathrobes...they must have been hot as it was a warm night.
No comment was made, but Guy did say something about London crowds being intimidating.

Just back from the Sage. Four words. Switching Off. Absolute bliss xx

Emma G wrote:

Just back from the Sage. Four words. Switching Off. Absolute bliss xx

(disclaimer) I've been drinking, so I may regret this...

The bad bit first...
Don't know whether to sit, stand or fuckin what, OBVIOUSLY a problem that Guy picked up early on, although the Sage is a great venue soundwise, the ATMOSPHERE was flat as a fart, unfortunately.

But, as mentioned by Emma,they did Switching Off AND Great Expectations and to be honest, in thirty years of gig going, I've never been as moved by a pair of songs as these tonight.

Just typing this and thinking about it has made my screen mist over somehow....

heshofcheese wrote:

The bad bit first...
Don't know whether to sit, stand or fuckin what, OBVIOUSLY a problem that Guy picked up early on, although the Sage is a great venue soundwise, the ATMOSPHERE was flat as a fart, unfortunately."

I agree to a certain extent but must say that the atmosphere did build as the set progressed. But seated venues are always a problem. Am glad that I saw them in Leeds on Saturday and got the full gig experience. The blokes sitting either side of me never moved a muscle - what's WRONG with them??

Pleased that I'm going on the 30th. Think their last UK gig of the tour in their home town (on MY birthday) will be somethin g a bit special....[quote]

what was the setlist last night?

cant wait for Thursday, I have a feeling its going to be amazing

The set list was as follws (I think) - but can't be sure of the order!!

Starlings
Bones of You
Leaders of the Free World
Mirrorball
The Stops
Grounds For Divorce
Newborn
Great Expectations
Tower Crane Driver
Switching Off
Weather to Fly
One Day Like This

Some Riot
Station Approach
Scattered Black and White

In fact - having typed that - I realise that I have no real clue as to the order - sorry!!

Thanks for that Emma G, still no fugitive though....boo !!

I know. Am holding out for Fugitive and Powder Blue on the 30th! Am becoming increasingly jealous of the Cambridge audience......

Emma G wrote:

The set list was as follws (I think) - but can't be sure of the order!!

Starlings
Bones of You
Leaders of the Free World
Mirrorball
The Stops
Grounds For Divorce
Newborn
Great Expectations
Tower Crane Driver
Switching Off
Weather to Fly
One Day Like This

Some Riot
Station Approach
Scattered Black and White

In fact - having typed that - I realise that I have no real clue as to the order - sorry!!

Switch around Grounds For Divorce and Great Expectations and you've got it there, if my memory serves.
Remember Guy getting people up for Grounds, only for him to admit defeat when he realised it was Tower Crane Driver next, so everyone sat back down.
Everyone that is, apart from the miserable buggers in my row who remained firmly rooted to their seats throughout.

Bad luck Hesh. Mind you - I had a pair of statics either side of me too!!