Elbow

I saw Elbow on the 3rd of their 4 sell-out nights at the Manchester Apollo. Huge fan of the band, as I think they paint their hometown in a way nobody else does.

I think the problem with seeing Elbow live when one is at the age I am (first year uni student at the time of writing) is that they have aged and so have their fans. I'm not personally a huge fan of the new album and prefer their older work, but leaving that aside, it can be painful to see Guy working hard to get an average 45 year-old crowd to participate in doing things enthusiastically. This has a wearing effect on the gig and its atmosphere, as the venue is too large to be intimate, yet the crowd too reluctant to be excited and properly involved.

Elbow's music is good, don't get me wrong. Very good, in fact. Some of it is sublime, and I was delighted that they played "Great Expectations", one of their very best, on the night. But it doesn't seem so great in a huge, hollow hall of the seemingly semi-interested, or when combined with some not-quite-as-good newer music they've made.

It was also over £40.00, which was quite a lot for a medium gig. I love Elbow and that won't change, but I'd hesitate before going to see them again considering the stage they and their fans have reached.

Elbow and John Grant, Magnificent I say.
My fist Elbow gig and also my first John Grant gig

Up first an eight song set by John Grant fizzling with good humour, swear words aplenty and that beautiful tenor voice Marz and Glacier were outstanding.

Elbow came on stage just after 8:30, Mr Garvey in 90’s handwaving top form, a little demob happy as this was the last gig for some time as he played master of ceremonies though Elbows greatest hits. The voice is just so pure as the music swells around his word pictures and his bro romance with John Grant is hilarious . The whole set was outstanding with light show and back screens to match.Disapointed that there was no sad captains, but the duet between Garvey and Grant made up for it. Loved little fictions, grounds for divorce, Lippy kids but hearing one day like this live for the first time made my night. Come back soon Elbow, until then I will throw those curtains wide.

John Grant Five Stars
Elbow Five stars
The whole evening not enough stars in the universe to do it justice!

Elbow have been a band I've wanted to see for so long. So back in April when they were announced to play in Cork I knew this was finally my chance. I got there early so I could get to the front and ended up front and centre, straight in front of Guy. They came out on stage and there was no desperation from other fans to get a glimpse of the band, just sheer joy that these wonderful musicians had taken to the stage. Their show was absolutely mesmerising, from the beautiful moments of The Night Will Always Win to the adrenaline pumping Grounds For Divorce, Guy Garvey had the Cork crowd in the palm of his hands and loving every single second of it. The night ended with Guy stating "Cork you've been wonderful, have a great night, in fact, no, have a great fucking life!" Then blasted into a rendition of One Day Like This that'll stay with me for the rest of my days, it was such a pure and beautiful moment. If you've ever wanted to see Elbow and you get even half a chance to then take it. You won't regret it.

This was a family outing and our 2nd time seeing Elbow at Hammersmith Apollo. We always go for standing room near the front. Guy Garvey is such an incredible frontman with an amazing voice. He introduced each song and also the band including the new drummer Alex Reeves who has a hard act to follow but was excellent. Richard Jupp left the band last year after 25 years. Pete Turner, Mark Potter and Craig Potter were all superb and the 2 female backing vocalists, violinists and percussionists were perfection - so multi-talented.

The sound at the Apollo was excellent and it feels like quite an intimate gig. Elbow played all the favourites and a few of the songs from the latest album Little Fictions, including the magnificent "Magnificent". The "word perfect" enthusiastic audience sang along brilliantly to "One Day Like This".

A perfect Sunday evening.

It was advertised as a "stripped back"show, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

For Elbow, this meant just the 4 members of the band, plus Alex Reeves on drums - none of the usual strings or brass normally found on tour with them, and no fancy back drops and lighting, just a fairly basic light show.

It was a fairly intimate gig in the O2 Ritz, something like 1500 people, and it was amazing! Guy Garvey comes across as the bloke next door who would find any excuse to go for a pint with you. Everyone is his friend.
They played 8 songs, 3 from the new album, and 5 from older albums - and they were amazing! They are great in the big arenas, but even better in a smaller venue!

Waited years to see Elbow only to have to leave after a few songs last night at Newport because the lighting was horrific!! What was with the constant very long (like whole song-long!) severe flashing lights?!? I swear it was illegal :( I have photosensitive epilepsy but love going to live gigs. This was the WORST I've come across in terms of lighting that I've even been to. It's totally unnecessary, your music doesn't need it, and you need to think about accessibility for ALL your fans. I don't expect to pay £70 for 2 tickets then have to leave. Luckily the Newport staff were great and made sure I was ok. I'm so disappointed as I'd waited years.

Awesome gig, absolutely loved it, a great selection of songs, old and new, all classics.

The whole gig appreciated by young and old alike, I have never seen such an age range at a Saturday night gig at the Apollo, was wonderful to see, a real family event.

They come across as being honest, genuine and very down to earth and likeable people. Their lyrics are poetic, their music melodic, powerful and evocative, uniquely placed in today's over produced, churned out processed music scene!

Shame the support C Duncan was so atrocious, what a load of drivel! The only dampener on the eveneing.

Guy and the gang did not cease to amaze with pitch perfect vocals and brilliant interaction with the crowd. “Manchester harmony” he called it. The venue is amazing and just the right size with trains passing by to Deansgate. This causes a great response from the crowd and passengers all waving at each other.
My only negative is the sound curfew as it’s a built up area. I’m sure those all sat on their balconies getting it free wouldn’t complain. Well may be about Kylie the night after.

In all, a brilliant set list and performance from Manchester’s finest. Can’t wait for new album.

Emotional. I wanted to see this band live for ages, but, they do not cross path very often with me, (I am on tour too).
Great venue size. I was close!!! Sound was fantastic. But was it the voice??? Umm... The voice was insane, but.... everything was well balanced as well.
I was already a sick fan.Now, I have proof.
This music grabs every inch of my soul.
I was confused by the mixed audience.. I was one of the youngest. What do people my age like???? Obviously, lost souls!!! It just confirmed my undying irrational love for that band...!!!!! Ouf. Still recovering!!!

First time we have been to see Elbow live and i must say that we were not disappointed. The venue was rather a strange one being in a sports center next to the swimming pool. Support from C Duncan was good. Elbow seem to have a way of ingratiating themselves with the crowd from the get go. There are plenty of songs were they get the crowd to join in and it makes the experience of seeing them that more enjoyable. I would thoroughly recommend going to see them even if you are not necessarily a fan.