North London Food & Culture

Review: Elvis Costello, Royal Albert Hall


The first hot day of the year. I’m happily drinking rose and nibbling at a rather excellent prawn and avocado salad, giggling and gossiping whilst keeping a beady one on my emails – when a note comes in from a pal with tickets to Elvis Costello.

So we’re off to the Albert Hall. In a box. With important folk from Universal. Drinks brought to us. And an epic view direct to the front of stage. Sitting down. Knowing all the words.

We have probably seen Mr Costello’s every stage persona – skinny specie boy, serious songster, and happy man – and last night he was at his most bouncy. The stage was filled with a gorgeous and energetic go-go dancer called Dixie in a cage, the Imposters giving it their all, and a huge spinny wheel.


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Punters were plucked from the crowd and asked to spin the wheel to ‘randomly’ pick the next song. The bravest of them then took their turn a-bopping behind bars, or lounged excitedly on the makeshift bar on stage.

Now, a real reviewer would have the set list in her paws, with some insightful remarks on ice, ready to thrill her readers with comments about the tightness of the band, the sharp lighting. I can only say it was an awesome night. Mr MacManus controlled the mood from beginning to end. Fast, slow, angry, funny. Stories, political satire, name-dropping.

He brought his brothers on, with a tear-jerking verbal tribute to their late dad. And after two and a half hours of continuous stage presence, on came special guests to help out. Out of nowhere a rocking Russell Crowe, overjoyed to be singing Elvis with Elvis. Then, a delightful and delighted Glen Tilbrook.

By the end, with Steve Nieve playing the spectacular organ, and when all of us were on our feet and chanting ‘What’s so Funny about Peace Love and Understanding’ – we totally meant it. Grinning from ear to ear, out into a balmy South Ken night.

Words: Susie Innes
Photo: PA


7 thoughts on “Review: Elvis Costello, Royal Albert Hall”

  1. With such a vast back catalogue of different genres, you know you are going to be in for an interesting evening. I went last night when Nick Lowe sang with him, who was great too.

    Shame he didn’t play anything of Almost Blue though.

  2. I saw him on the 23rd may no nick lowe, but the others mentioned. yes, it was wonderful especially his stories & show bizzy schmaltz which he so enjoys camping up! my only criticism was that alison was a very short version….a real pity! nothing from get happy either. but I guess to keep it fresh for them the mix is a good thing! the photo attached to the article I read in the kentishtowner is not from the gig I saw, he had different clothes on!! he’s never had any fashion sense, but I certainly did not see a dark blue/black jacket on wednesday night!

  3. The 23rd was our first evening in London after arriving from the U.S. Since we were staying in S. Kensington we took an early evening stroll to find the Royal Albert Hall and take a few pictures. As we were checking out the Hall, we realized that Elvis was playing tonight. We inquired about tickets and were told the show had just begun. We purchased tickets in the third row, stage right. We could almost reach out and touch Elvis or spin the wheel for that matter. Loved the almost 3 hour show. What a find to stumble upon!!! A great first night for sure!

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7 thoughts on “Review: Elvis Costello, Royal Albert Hall”

  1. With such a vast back catalogue of different genres, you know you are going to be in for an interesting evening. I went last night when Nick Lowe sang with him, who was great too.

    Shame he didn’t play anything of Almost Blue though.

  2. I saw him on the 23rd may no nick lowe, but the others mentioned. yes, it was wonderful especially his stories & show bizzy schmaltz which he so enjoys camping up! my only criticism was that alison was a very short version….a real pity! nothing from get happy either. but I guess to keep it fresh for them the mix is a good thing! the photo attached to the article I read in the kentishtowner is not from the gig I saw, he had different clothes on!! he’s never had any fashion sense, but I certainly did not see a dark blue/black jacket on wednesday night!

  3. The 23rd was our first evening in London after arriving from the U.S. Since we were staying in S. Kensington we took an early evening stroll to find the Royal Albert Hall and take a few pictures. As we were checking out the Hall, we realized that Elvis was playing tonight. We inquired about tickets and were told the show had just begun. We purchased tickets in the third row, stage right. We could almost reach out and touch Elvis or spin the wheel for that matter. Loved the almost 3 hour show. What a find to stumble upon!!! A great first night for sure!

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The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.