Well my regular old Visa doesn't work... Christ i have to wait until 4/7 now.

Remember when EC was a cranky young man, and did three 40 minute shows one night in NYC -- in 3 different venues?

No, you're prolly too young to remember that.

oh snap!

and now he's a fat loser that doesnt know a thing about quality control.

Damn I have a VISA signature card but only have an interest in going because I have the POWER .... $55 per ticket?? Nah.

Mastercard bitches

hahah i love how they bill this:

OBSTRUCTED VIEW
US $75.00

GA STANDING ONLY
US $55.00

hunh. Obstructed view is only 20 dollars more! wow!

>>$55 per ticket?? Nah

Krall's an expensive date.

An expensive date married to a shameless moneygrubber.

Elvis Costello shows have been $50+ for years. No surprise there. Too bad it's the night of !!!. The Venn Diagram of shared fans is staggering.

This is actually a cheap EC show, the last show I attended at the Beacon was over $100 with SC's. This one tops out at a mere $70 after SC's. You don't actually need a VISA "Signature" to get presale tickets. You just theoretically need a Visa Signature for the presale password, which you can get if you hop on over to my blog.

So I hopped over to your blog (which I've alway enjoyed btw), and befriended you on myspace -- I can't find where you have the code. Thanks

Anon, send me an email or myspace message if you don't have the code yet.

EC is an absolute living legend. Even this far along in his career, the man puts on a great, consistent show. It's not just a by-the-numbers greatest hits set either; he makes major setlist changes every night, does rarities and re-arrangements of classics instead of the same old standards, the band plays with fire, and he sings his ass off. What more could you want? Ninety-nine percent of the shitty blog bands who are influenced by him can't hold his jock, and never will.

I really couldn't agree more with the last post. EC isn't even one of my favorites, he really doesn't speak to me the way he does other friends of mine. Regardless though the quality of his recordings and shows are that of great artist who continues to evolve as he approaches his 4th decade as a professional musican. You can't say that about many of the "legends" -- most of whom tour every 4 years at $200/ticket in some arena.... $55 for Elvis at a 3,000 person place like the Beacon or Nokia, or $100 for 1000 person HOB clubs in CHI or LA is really NOT a big deal. Most of you are paying that on Craigslist to see Cold War Kids next month (no knock on CWK -- but they're kids who were opening up for other small bands like 9 months ago).

absolute fucking props to the above two posts. Saw him at beacon for $75 a few years ago. Balked at the price at first, but afterwards, was left in that total shaken concert-high buzz that I've rarely gotten since. I couldn't believe the man's stamina, arrangements, and just the emotional range of his setlist, how simultaneously off-the-cuff and considered it all felt. it felt like the last show of his tour, -- hell, in parts it felt like the last show of his career -- and anytime you're left feeling that, you know it's been one hell of a good show.

The presale password is the first 6 digits of your Visa Signature card.

Perhaps other passwords work too.

Saw him at Bowery 3-4 years ago for $25. Great show, but probably because it was at Bowery

Saw EC at Tower Records on E. 4th a few years ago when the Impersonators (Attractions) got together for that rock and roll CD - I believe the ticket price on that one was...um....zero!

he recorded a few years back, in my little southern college town. secret, random (usually free) shows all over town...funny, cuz my friend ended up marrying his manager and now i never get to see him. cuz the cities i live in are either too tough to get passes or either she's just bored and wants me to take her shopping instead. tragic, right?

I was at that in-store at Tower as well. Yes it was free but you had to pre-order the album there and bring the receipt to get a ticket/pass if I recall. I still have the laminated pass from the in-store!

I'm just psyched that he's touring in clubs (even a shitty one like the Electric Factory here in Philly) instead of theaters, which is where he normally plays. I've seen EC play many times over the years, but only once in a GA venue, which was at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ a few months after that Tower in-store. It was amazing and hopefully this show will be as rockin' as that one was. It's encouraging that he's touring behind the upcoming reissues (though don't get started on what a money grab those are) and 2 new compilations of his older stuff, so I think we'll get a lot of little-played gems from the back catalog.

The guy is definitely worth it. These days, tour revenues = primary source of artist's income. Last time I saw Elvis, he had that giant wheel of fortune with him. Anyone remember that tour?

Ohh it hurts so. I live in Melbourne Australia and it's been nearly three years since he was here. He hasn't yet been to Australia on the River in Reverse release so I'm hoping once the US tour's done he'll cruise down here! Does anyone know of any rumours of Elvis touring any other countries this year?

Saw Elvis last night at House Of Blues in Hollywood...it was a great show, no opening act, almost two hours long, but uneven...the first half-hour was incandescent! Elvis was in great spirits and his voice was strong, with no sign of raspiness that sometimes mars his shows (and I have seen many!) He opened with a blistering version of "Welcome To The Working Week," followed by an equally shattering "Shabby Doll." Other highlights were "Strict Time," "Beyond Belief," "The Imposter," "Lovers Walk," "Watch Your Step," "Little Triggers," "Motel Matches," "Riot Act," "High Fidelity," "Uncomplicated" and a Beatles cover ("Call On Me"?) He really showcased "Trust" and "Imperial Bedroom," while totally ignoring many albums, including the most recent, "Delivery Man." The most disappointing part of the show was that we had to hear the umpteenth performances of "Detectives," "Radio Radio," "Alison," "Chelsea," "The Beat," "Lipstick Vogue," and a sloppy final encore of "Peace Love & Understanding." I understand that many fans want to hear these classics, and some new fans have never heard them played live, but personally, I think it's time to retire "Pump It Up." However, if the crowd response was any indication, they still want to hear it...but I would rather hear some newer upbeat stuff, like "Monkey To Man." Oh, well...it was still worth seeing Elvis rock out, because who knows how long he can keep doing it?

Hey Michael, any chance of posting a complete setlist? I had trouble parking and got into the venue during Clubland. What did I miss besides Working Week (Damn!) Thanks.

Well, my memory's a little fuzzy on the exact running order of the set (I didn't write it down at the time), and there was one number I didn't recognize, but he definitely did the following songs: Welcome To The Working Week, Shabby Doll, Lovers Walk, Big Tears, Beyond Belief, Shallow Grave, Watching The Detectives, Strict Time, Kinder Murder, The Imposter, Clubland, Watch Your Step, Party Girl, Lipstick Vogue, Riot Act, I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea, The Beat, Man Out Of Time, Uncomplicated, High Fidelity, a Beatles cover (All I've Gotta Do?), Alibi, Little Triggers, a snippet of Secondary Modern, Motel Matches, Radio Radio, Pump It Up, Alison and What's So Funny About Peace, Love & Understanding

the beatles cover was Hey Bulldog fyi

Well, I wasn't THAT out of it! There's NO WAY he did "Hey Bulldog" at the HOB on 5/2...I am VERY familiar with that song...the Beatles cover he did had lyrics like: "And when I wanna kiss you, all I've gotta do...is call you on the phone, and you'll come running home, yeah, that's all I've gotta do..." Definitely NOT "Hey Bulldog!" Maybe he did that at another show, perhaps at The Warfield in SF?

Elvis did a new song at the 5/2 H.O.B. show or, it was a song i hadn't heard before. From the lyrics I might guess it was called "American Gangster Time". Anyone have more info on this?

I was at the Warfield 5/3 and he did play Hey Bulldog. Very cool cover. GREAT show. As my friend said, All business, but in a good way. Almost no talking, just one song after enother with intensity. Sorry, not set list, but it was similar to the one I saw for the House of Blues the night before. A lot of older songs with a smattering of songs from the last 10 years or so. Cool to hear Shallow Grave, High Fidelity, Riot Act, Party Girl and many others.

Hi,

I was at the E.C. show in Denver last night. Does anyone have the setlist? Email me at timothybruderek@comcast.net.

Thanks!

I was at the show in Minneapolis last night. Am a huge fan of Elvis Costello's music from his album "Spike" to the luscious orchestral "The Juliet Letters," but was so disappointed with the dull live performance! I would have rather sat than stood in the audience. Was it an off night?

I saw EC at the House of Blues in Chicago hours ago.

Anyone have a copy of the setlist? Just an amazing night, best show I've ever seen.

loyalfromlondon@aol.com

Can someone post the setlist?

J

Just saw Elvis at Nokia Theater in NYC. Two words to describe the
2 hour & 20m. set: electrifying and transcendent! (And yes, they played "Hey Bulldog" – as well as it's ever been played.)

Just saw Elvis at Nokia Theater in NYC. Two words to describe the
2 hour & 20m. set: electrifying and transcendent! (And yes, they played "Hey Bulldog" – as well as it's ever been played.)

Just saw Elvis at Nokia Theater in NYC. Two words to describe the
2 hour & 20m. set: electrifying and transcendent! (And yes, they played "Hey Bulldog" – as well as it's ever been played.)

Just got back from the show tonight at Nokia..My third time seeing him and the best.

Just got back from the show tonight at Nokia..Only my third time seeing him and the best.

Went to the Nokia in NY as well. My umpteenth Elvis show since '82 and unquestionably one of the best. Pure rock and roll. Hearing songs like Strict Time and The Imposter a treat as were the two Beatle covers "All I've Gotta Do" and "Hey Bulldog" (not to mention snippets of Lennon's "I Found Out" and "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier." His best songs are so ridiculously good, melodically, lyrically and rhythmically (Beyond Belief, Shabby Doll, Man Out of Time, The River in Reverse) they alone qualify him as a genius. Oh yeah - and then he also did Chelsea (cool version), Clubland, High Fidelity, Allison, Lipstick Vogue, Pump it Up and What's So Funny (Bring the Boys Home, Bring 'em back alive). Unbelievable.

A friend and I caught Elvis' cathartic show at HOB in Chicago last Wenesday evening (brilliant show, my second favorite of the 10 shows I've seen--#1 being Mandell Hall at U of C in 2002). The next day, leaving the "Cezanne to Picasso" exhibit at the Art Institiute (which blew our minds!), we were perambulating down the hallway and, gazing down the hall, with a wild surmise I became aware that....Elvis was strolling towards us!

"Elvis!!" I blurted in an un-museum-like tone. He came over to me. "I love your work!!" I stuck out my hand and he gave it a gentle shake. "Thank you", he said. "Are you going to 'Cezanne to Picasso'?" I asked. "I think so", says he. "You'll love it!" I exclaimed. And then, as suddenly as he had come upon us, he was amongst us no more.

As soon as he was gone I regretted forgetting to tell him "great show last night!", as well as a million other Elvis-inspired ideas knocking around in my brain all these years.

"they played "Hey Bulldog" – as well as it's ever been played"

as well as the Beatles?

since we never heard the beatles perform 'hey bulldog' live, we'll never know. i'd say costello's cover was the best we'll ever hear (the show at the nokia was my 82nd since 1978; philly on saturday will be 83).

but the show was a bit shorter than i expected (NOT the 2 hours and 20 minutes someone indicated above). he came on precisely at 8.20pm and ended precisely at 10.20pm. 2 solid hours - all business.

still quite admirable as i've seen everything from 45 minute sets in the early days to 2 hour 45 minute sets when he just couldn't bring himself to stop singing.

elvis is king

"as well as the Beatles?"

Didn't the Beatles record "Hey, Bulldog" after they stopped performing live (with the obvious exception of the farewell on the rooftop)?

The Fab Faux perform it awesomely. http://thefabfaux.com/ http://www.myspace.com/thefabfaux

Tom - where in the set did they play the beatles covers? were they back to back towards the end (the unplugged set)?

Can anybody post the setlist from the Nokia show last night?

I've posted the setlist and pictures on my site.

Saw EC 5/15 at Avalon in Boston, like everyone else has said it was a fantastic show. Non-stop music and no chit-chat. 26 songs all in all. Great to see Pete Thomas back on the kit.

Saw EC in Philly Saturday night...WOWWWWW! Good lord he was on fire! Over 2 1/2 hours, Alan Toussaint "stopped in" and played on about 5-6 songs. It was the last night of the tour so I guess they let it all hang out. GREAT to see Pete behind the drums and Steve Nieve was at his madman best! What a thrill....

Yes they did "All I've Gotta Do" (from Beatles first U.S. album) which thrilled the hell out of us, and he did Hey Bulldog later on. "Bulldog" was recorded AFTER the Beatles stopped touring to answer a question above) I went with a cousin who wasn't a 'fan" per say.....THAT HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED! She wa sblown away by Elvis' passion. "I Want You" was a show-stopper. He was inspired, played hard and fast, no chit-chat and seemed to be having a ball. The Elvis show I've always wanted to see.

Agreed....Philly show was amazing...I went in with HIGH EXPECTATIONS, was stage side, and was blown away!! Lover's Walk and I Want You....just about my faves of the show. I Want You as posted above...was unbelievable. The Beatles covers were great. Elvis just about wore me out. I have seen my fair share of shows and he was pure energy. One after another after another. I have been working on a complete setlist and am up to over 25 songs. When Elvis Costello plays a small venue like Electric Factory...it's a MAJOR event.
Thanks Elvis!
Just an FYI....after I Want You played, my take on the song was that it was liking watching an entire Quentin Tarrentino movie in just that one song.

sheeeet.................

is ec playin in west va. this sat., june 16, '07 (in the w. va./md./d.c area), or am i livin' in a shoop-shoop dream?

fell for an ec girl.
and she drives that gold car,
4 cylinders of love, of love.
wait, wait on it till it reveals itself,
wait on it till it reveals itself.

How about when he stopped playing a song on SNL and played something different.