Playing the first night of their UK tour, Elvis Costello and the Impostors hit the stage running with a scintillating set lasting an incredible two hours and 20 minutes played at an amazing pace.
With his band the Impostors (the Attractions minus one) Costello's been touring since September, and the tightness showed with him at his brilliant best.
A much underrated guitarist, Costello mixed up the evening, moving effortlessly from country-tinged ballads to blistering pop with imaginative use of guitar whilst Steve Nieve's keyboard work was a joy, providing a perfect foil for Costello's handiwork.
Highlights of the evening included a bluesy "Needle Time" and "Monkey to Man" of the newer material while finding time to include such Costello gems as "Radio, Radio," "King of America" plus an epic version of "Watching the Detectives."
During "Alison," Costello managed to squeeze a little Tom Jones into the proceedings with his own take on the "Green, Green Grass of Home" sung much to the crowd's delight while reclining in the stalls, just one of the many memorable moments until Elvis, eventually, left the building.
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