It's also worth noting that this is Elbow's first US performance in 3 years, and their only US performance this year.

I saw them at CMJ in 2003 at Pianos and they rocked. Great band, although I haven't heard their newest album.

Thanx a ton BV, got tix!

Was wondering how long it would be before my next show at Hiro Ballroom, can't wait to go back. The visuals at the A&C showcase were almost as great as the music. Saw elbow at Hammerstein way back when and they put on a hell of a show. In fact, that whole lineup was sick, Rapture opened and Doves headlined, but now I'm rambling...

I'm excited to find out who the guests are.

great new cd great live band
3 great cd's
i think the 2nd cd is their best
hope we get a good uk opener
say engineers

elbow are extraordinary. new album is superb, just as good as their previous 2. if i had to recommend a little known band to anyone, elbow would be it. never have seen them live, i have high expectations.

Nice to see all the love for Elbow here. I also got tix earlier and I can't wait for the show, having never been to Hiro and having never seen Elbow live. I also like Cast of Thousands the best. It's an extraordinary album. The new one is good, too.

any word yet on who the guests are?

some band called manzarin...is it sold out? ticketweb has no more tix.. can you still buy at the door?

I think you mean Mazarin. If that's the case, that's really cool. I haven't heard them yet, but I know they're from Philly and are supposed to be quite good indie/dream-pop/shoegazer type stuff.

Mazarin indeed -> http://www.mazarinband.com/shows.htm

Says 7:30...hmmmm

Great show last night to a packed house. Hiro Ballroom should be used more often, because the sound and the atmosphere are hard to beat. Good mix of old to new songs last night. Was a bummer about the technical difficulties with the amp, but they handled it like the seasoned pros they are. Guy's humorous banter was quite amusing and added so much to the experience. Seeming them last night made me wonder why it's been so long since the last time they were here. Pretty sure they mentioned that they were coming back in February, when the album is released in the US. Speaking of the album, was quite pleased to see that they had the new album for sale at last night and that I was able to pick up a copy.

What happened to the Mazarin? No opener?

I disagree about the sound quality - that's the tiniest PA I've seen in a long time. Elbow's songs are so majestic; that system just didn't do them justice.

But I agree that the band put on an awesome show, despite the technical difficulties (or maybe because of them?).

First time I've been to Hiro. It's a good venue (crappy PA notwithstanding), but it would be better if the beer was cheaper, and you didn't have to pay to pee.

Seriously???? I was standing all the way at the back of the room and I heard every instrument clearly and no one instument was over powering the rest. I specifically remember thinking this during Fugitive Motel, which was a highlight for me. Thought it was perfectly not to loud and not to soft. But what the hell do I know, seems like everytime I comment on the sound at a show, someone such as yourself disagrees.

BV - did you go? pics?

Chris - my comment wasn't meant as a criticism of your opinion, it was just an expression of mine.

I agree that the mix was great given the system, and the volume was near-perfect. But I definitely think that it could have been even better - clearer, not necessarily louder - with a more powerful system. I think the Hiro system was operating at its limits, which isn't ideal.

Having said that, I've only been to one show in the last couple of years where I thought the sound was perfect (John Vanderslice at the Knitting Factory a couple of weeks ago), so I may have impossibly high standards.

I didn't think you were criticizing my opinion, I was just half shocked that you disagreed and half humored by the fact that this always seems to happen every time I comment on sound at a show. I gotz no beef. :p

I'm pretty picky about sound too, and usually only comment on it when I think it was exceptionally good. Now that I think about it, I guess it could have been a little clearer, but that might be getting a little greedy ; )

Yeah, I'm probably being unnecessarily picky. But then I'm a picky bugger (groan).

Hope I haven't brought everyone down after such a good show.

There were definitely moments of perfection, but they were generally the quieter songs - "Can't Stop", "Switching Off".

Again, this is just my humble opinion.

I agree the quieter songs were better.

I was there as well and the sound was terrific, though I think they were operating at their limit with the tiny PA and everything, which is probably what led to their technical problems towards the end of the set. Anyway, the room is awesome-looking (like the place where they had the massacre at the end of Kill Bill), though I'm also not a fan of the expensive bottled beer and bathroom attendants.

More importantly, I agree that the show was great and I also picked up a copy of the new CD.
I hope they do more shows there.

"which is probably what led to their technical problems towards the end of the set." - a commenter at The Modern Age said they were using rented gear. That also might have had something to do with it. Can you say refund?