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Thanks to the good people at FTTS, my son and I enjoyed a night at the O2 Arena to see Elbow’s latest visit to the capital. This was my first visit to the O2 and I was really impressed with the layout and organisation of the venue, especially as we’d driven down from Leicester. I much prefer smaller venues, but having arrived in good time and fortified ourselves in one of the onsite restaurants, this showed promise.
As we took our seats, we were treated to a ‘chamber’ performance by the Elbow string quartet, playing some beautifully arranged versions of some of the band’s songs whilst sat on a small stage set into the standing area of the arena.
Next up was the support act, the Irish band Villagers, who in turn haunted, provoked and enchanted. Their often eerie tunes had a filmic quality for me - shades of Hitchcock, Tarantino and, once or twice, unexpected visions of Russ Meyer scenes! I remember thinking that, whilst enjoyable, it would probably be better listened to at home in the comfort of a large armchair, with a glass of something Irish and warming in the hand, rather than the then sparsely populated O2.
I understand this was Elbow’s largest arena gig to date, although they have of course entertained massive festival crowds. So, I was intrigued to see how some of their quieter industrial-folk tunes would go down in such a large space holding nearly 20,000 people. I needn’t have worried as Elbow’s well-practiced easy-going style, especially that of singer Guy Garvey, translated well into a kind of ‘mass intimacy’. He had an air of a genial geography teacher who was explaining the lesson ahead as he linked the songs together with affable quips and good-humoured banter. He was amiable, warm and instantly likable. Even when he let the odd ‘f’-word slip, everyone there would have forgiven him. Strolling, unhurried, between the main stage and the satellite ‘B’ stage via the linking catwalk, Garvey sang beautifully, whilst touching hands with the audience.
From listening to their albums, I’ve appreciated the craft of Elbow - how they can build songs from humble beginnings. But I confess, it took me by surprise how subtly even some of the newer songs were gently laid down, then monumentally constructed into another rousing anthem – definitely inspirational music. All the favourites were there, old and new, and delivered with precision and all faithfully reinforced by a splendid sound system and engineering that allowed every word and note to be clearly heard in that vast space – even in the near-stage side seats we occupied. The musicianship was also excellent - not least the wonderful strings. The lighting and projection also subtly added to the general polish.
When asked to clap, the audience clapped … but not for too long.
When asked to sing, the audience sang … but not too loudly.
When asked to wave their arms, the audience swayed … politely and not obstructing their neighbours.
Down to the thrown underwear (“the first time that’s happened in 20 years”, said Sir), this was a ‘pop concert’ as Garvey called it … and a very English one at that.
Good times!!!
SETLIST
- The Birds
- The Bones of You
- Lippy Kids
- Mirrorball
- With Love
- Neat Little Rows
- The Night Will Always Win
- Great Expectations
- Grounds for Divorce
- The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver
- Puncture Repair
- Some Riot
- Weather to Fly
- Open Arms
Encore:
- Starlings
- Station Approach
One Day Like
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