Elbow at Birmingham NIA - concert review

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For a band that can trace its roots back to 1990, it's been an uphill struggle to fame and fortune for Elbow — but one that has been well worth the endurance.

Some 21 years down the line, the five firm-friends from Bury have at last escalated the band's popularity to the dizzy heights of a full national arena tour, taking in Birmingham's NIA last night.

Guy Garvey, Elbow's charismatic lyricist and vocalist, is one of the most likable people in the music industry today. His amazing voice is soulful and yearning in equal measure, captivating the 9,500 crowd with every syllable.

From show opener The Birds to a crowd-pleasing One Day Like This at the close, Mr Garvey held the audience in the palm of his hand, frequently lapsing into jovial banter between tunes.

Renditions of Mirrorball — from 2008s Mercury Prize-winner The Seldom Seen Kid — and The Night Will Always Win from latest offering Build a Rocket Boys — were greeted with hushed reverence.

It seems that no matter the size of the venue, each and every member of the audience always feels a special connection. In fact, at times, it is almost as if you are the only person in the audience — a masterful feat in an auditorium such as the NIA.

At other times, Guy and co encouraged sing-a-longs from the crowd.

Yes, for this band it's been quite a journey to the top.

Enjoy the summit boys.