Elbow on Easter
4/16/6 at the Double Door in Chicago
This was my first time seeing Elbow and I didn’t know quite what to expect. One thing I have noticed about many British bands lately is that they are very much into getting things right and perfect. They want to sound absolutely spectacular so there are sometimes more guitar techs and set up crew members than there are band members. Marking where every mike and instrument should be with white tape, they are interested in creating a calculated experience that makes them look like gods. They present themselves almost as professionals vs. musicians of the starving artist variety. They could be just as well playing arenas for all the time and effort they put into simply getting it right. I’m sure Elbow is playing arenas in Europe and abroad so North Americans should perhaps look at it as a special treat so see them in smaller venues.
I want to talk a little bit about vocals. I’ve always been a fan of two different types-those who have that innocent almost out there quality as in the case of Wayne Coyne or Daniel Johnston and those who have that beautiful almost ethereal sort of range. Guy Garvey would definitely be in the latter category. His voice is probably as closest as it gets to Catherine Wheel’s Rob Dickinson in terms of range and the depth of emotion he can express with it. It’s something to be impressed with and to be in awe of. One always worries…will vocals as powerful sounding as these on record come off in the same way live? Not to fear because Guy’s vocals don’t come from studio remixing but more from an inborn talent.
Guy started off with “Station Approach” before playing one of his more well known songs, “Red,” which received much applause. Later on in the set, he had a really interesting comment about how Bush must have bribed God to get away with the things he has before delving into “Leaders.” He talked about “Great Expectations” as love on the subway and “Mexican Standoff” as what happens when you meet a girlfriend’s ex. The audience was probably most enthralled with the anthemic chorus in “Forget Myself,” which they ended their first major set with. The enthusiasm was matched when the almost initially lullabye sounding “New Born” transitioned into passionate cries at the very end of their encore.
You can hear Elbow’s songs and become their friends on their myspace page
You can view Matt’s review of an earlier show in NYC here
To see more pictures and view a complete setlist, click on the title of the blog or more:
SETLIST: (approximately 75 min set)
Station Approach
Red
Leaders
Great Expectations
Fugitive
Mexican Standoff
The Good Day
McGreggor
Switching Off
Forget Myself
——————
Puncture Repair
The Stops
New Born