Elbow, O2 Academy, Birmingham - review
More than 3000 people opted for a more melodic Wednesday night than usual to the tune of Elbow at a slightly more intimate venue than expected, Birmingham's O2 Academy, on what lead singer Guy Garvey pleasingly states is 'the first day of Spring'.
Elbow, reining from the outskirts of Manchester, prove tonight just why they've decided to stick around.
To some, the four-piece are best known for Grounds For Divorce and One Day Like This, but to others, the band's melodic charm and lyrical Sunday story vibes are what they're better at.
Tonight, it's a mixture of both and it's more than clear that Garvey has one of the best voices in British music at the moment, resulting in the audience eating out the palms of his hands.
A 13-year spanning set went on for an astonishing near three hours, dropping a mixture of lesser known newer tales to Elbow classics amongst Garvey's short and comical chats with the crowd.
"Birmingham I got my hair cut today for you" says Garvey.
Sunday morning-like numbers including opener Gentle Storm, Mirrorball and Little Fictions keep heads nodding but its favourites New York Morning, Magnificent, Lippy Kids, Grounds For Divorce and the obvious One Day Like This that fans are waiting for, particularly to justify the £40 ticket.
Garvey doesn't fall short a note throughout the set and his distinctive voice echos around the room during some of the more intimate tracks.
Phone camera lights took over the venue during intimate My Sad Captains, probably one of the only good things to come from phones at gigs – saving the lighter fuel.
From various Glastonbury Pyramid Stage sets to the upcoming Cannock Chase Forest slot on July 7, Elbow seem to have it very much in the bag.
Though they may not be a band to bust out the moves to, tonight they managed to still keep everyone on their toes and leave the audience mesmerised.
By Lucy Thompson
