Newport 12th March 2009

Newport

Newport I wanted to like you but, let’s face it you are a crap city. Why do you hate cars so much? There was nowhere to park. Nowhere. Nowhere at all. Elbow in a leisure centre, in Newport. That’s such an unlikely sentence but it really happened and I was there.

Okay so here we go. The Acorn were good. They have two speeds fast and folky. Chatty guys and suited to the atmosphere of Elbow gigs. In fact, much more suited then a lot of the audience, but more of that later.

Elbow arrived at about 8:40 and wow. Just wow and then some more wow. Garv was his usual self but did seem a bit tired in places; which looking at their itinerary is understandable. I know that we will never see Elbow in such small venues, as this, again and that made the incongruity of the evening so much the sweeter. This was a very warm and intimate evening. Inevitably where they are headed, stadiums, Albert Halls etc will not, ever, be as pure and cosy experience. I think everybody there sensed this.

So, warm and intimate except for “Dex”. Dex was a nobhead of the very first order. He was cringingly, stupid and irritating.

Dex: is Ben from Bury? (Pointing at Craig!)
Garv: what?
Dex:: ‘im on the piano, Ben, is from Bury.
Garv: Ben? what Craig? Yeh he’s from Bury
Dex: (shuts something incomprehensible)
Garv: Craig, your fan’s in!

(Later Garv is talking, delicately, about next song and how it’s about falling in love)
Dex: ...with a him?
Garv: with a him? No, with a her? What are you on about?
Dex: (shouts something mental)
Garv: Dex, shut up!
Crowd applauds
Garv: (sensing crowds’ animosity) No don’t be Dex haters, don’t hate Dex, just don’t listen to him.
Everyone laughs. Dex stays, mercifully quiet. Garv has destroyed him.

Can’t remember set list but highlights were: “Stops” which was sublime; “Leaders” played as a massive anthem and of course; “Day like this” with streamers and everything.

Brilliant!

This was, as Captain Says, a gig which you felt was special. It was a lovely small venue - so that you could get up close & personal (if you were standing ... gawd knows why if you have a choice you would sit). Garv's voice was as sublime as always and the atmosphere from the strings was spellbinding. The audience was generally pretty mellow (though Dex was a bit dull and the couple next to me thought he asked if Craig was from Barry ?!?).

I just can't imagine that really big venues will do them justice. Got to chat to them at the stage door afterwards and felt some apprehension from them at the bigger upcoming gigs. Although having said that a big audience giving it large to ODLT would be impressive.

Anyhow - the gig gave me goosebumps and has me still smiling today. Thankyou Elbow for making my day x

This was the first time I've seen them play live - to say I was blown away is an understatement. I took my two kids to the gig as well - 14 and 11 years old and they just loved it. We had the best position in the place - right on the rails at the front in the middle. It really couldn't have been any better. My 11 year old son was thrilled when Guy shook his hand and right at the end of the gig Richard Jupp gave him a thumbs up sign. He didn't believe that Richard was looking at him until Guy and Pete nodded and said yes it's you he's looking at!

I've been to hundreds of gigs in my life and this for me ranks as one of the best. NO - the best!

For me the best bits were Switching Off, Scattered Black and Whites. AND I got a set list!

Luckily I had anticipated that this would be brilliant so I had bought tickets for the Wembley show last night. I was delighted they played Forget Myself and the string quartet playing classical versions of their songs before the show was wonderful. I wasn't quite at the front this time - about 4 lots of people were in front of me.

One day like This really suited Wembley - thousands and thousands of people all singing at the tops of their voices. I'm not ashamed to say that it brought tears to my eyes.

How the hell has it taken me this long to find this band!!!

And yes - Dex was a knob!!

One week on. I have gone from fan to total obsessive. Still have the music in my head when I wake up and it rumbles on through each day. I kid you not, people keep asking me why I'm so happy and keep smiling all the time. It really was [u]that[/u] good!

I know EXACTLY how you feel!

Hi! Is there anyone who knows the setlist from the gig? It would be great to have it!

Hi Vicky
I got a set list off the stage - here goes -

Starlings
Bones
Mirror Ball
Leaders
The Stops
Any Day Now
Mexican
Grounds
Towercrane
Switching Off
New Born
Weather to Fly
One Day like This
--------------------
Some Riot
Station Approach
Scattered

Thank you!

There seems to be very little change in the set list.
Am dying to hear something new! (or even something old! )
Was getting really excited when Guy was getting us to do the singalong in Wembley but alas, 2 lines is all we got...

Thank you - have been meaning to ask too!

Can someone tell me what song accompanied the lighthouse graphic?

The lovely Switching Off

My favourite of the night - utter bliss!

This was the first time I had seen them live and was very lucky to be at the front. Hope to see them at many more shows as I loved every minute
I love smaller venues. There is a place for stadium concerts but you can't beat the feeling of intimacy of a small gig.
By the way, I'm new here so hi and I look forward to getting to know you all. Who is "Dex"

Hi Lesley - We were lucky to be at the front as well - where were you standing? It really was an incredible show, wasn't it. Dex was that bloke who kept on shouting out rude comments to Guy. Eventually though, Guy put him in his place. It's great to hear from another person who saw the Newport show - welcome to the forum!

Hubby and I were at a the front barrier (definitely the place to be), not quite to the centre, on the left hand side of the stage. Unfortunately, Guy didn't quite make it to us when he came down to our level. This is the second time this has happened to me. I narrowly missed out on giving Michael Stipe a cuddle at the Twickenham gig in August. I was mortified But that's enough of my obsessions...
Nice to meet you Ticky. How do you like Newport with all the building work going on around you?
Lesley

I was right in the middle, on the barriers at the front - with my 2 kids, Oscar who's 10 and Caitilin - 15. I don't think they really get how lucky they were. Guy was really sweet to Oscar and made quite a fuss of him, when shaking his hand. I didn't get to shake Guy's hand, but I did pat him on his side. (Enough of MY obsessions!)

Newport is, and always be, a dump - the building work can only make it better. Great place for concerts though.

This is why I love the smaller gigs. You get more banter and a feeling of occassion, and I have to say that Newport was right up there with some of my most memorable gigs.
I've only ever driven past Newport on the way to visiting rellies in Bryncethin so Idon't know what it was like before, but it seems they are ripping the guts out of the town. Maybe, they want to compete with Cardiff.

Like so many towns, they ripped the guts out of the place in the sixties and are only just now trying to do something about it. I don't think they'll succeed. The old buildings are still around in Cardiff.

This was also my first time at an Elbow concert. What a night. We travelled a 300 mile round trip to get there knowing it would be a small intimate venue and we weren't disappointed.

My other half wasn't a fan but was blown away by the shear quality of Guy Garvey's voice. They really are the best group I've ever seen live.

Held Guy's hand (only for a second) during Weather to Fly and saw him at the stage door with the other band members, where we had a chat and a photo and I couldn't stop telling him that the band was amazing. Think I blurted that one out at least three times in the conversation, was a little tongue tied.

Arrived home next night managed to get tickets for the Saturday Wembley gig which was again fantastic even though in a huge venue and a very different night in comparison. We were four rows from the front and enjoyed another amazing night. I only hope the small venues don't become a thing of the past because you just can't beat that intimacy with you favourite band.

I agree Dex was a knob!

Well... it's a year ago today that I saw the Elboys live for the first time and what and Elbow-y year it's been since then. I only hope that it's not another year till the next live outing, but I suspect that it may well be....

Only thinking the same thing. Can't believe how time flies - also remember it being a lot warmer this time last year. Still my Elbow obsession remains undimmed!

This date will always stick in my mind, it's like an anniversary, and I have on occasion (4 times) forgotten that important date!

I remembered throughout the day the events of a year ago. Happy times, though lots more to look forward to.

Nice to share like minded feelings with other folk, unlike some of my friends who think I'm a complete loon!!

Elbow were in Newport, I can't believe this, I AM AN IDIOT

I'm so jealous at all you guys that went, I wish I had a time machine