Elvis Costello and two thirds of the Attractions performed the final concert of their Australian tour at the Palais Theatre in St.Kilda, Melbourne on 4 April 2024.
Featuring remarkable pianist Steve Nieve and one of the best drummers ever in Pete Thomas from the Attractions, Elvis Costello accompanied by his backing band of the last two decades, the Imposters (featuring Charlie Sexton on guitar, and Davey Faragher on bass), performed very much a warts ‘n all 2½ hr set that included endearing chats with the audience, and many classics (some nigh on unrecognisable mind you) from his highly acclaimed career spanning more than four decades and thirty-plus albums.
The set included classic Elvis Costello and the Attractions album tracks, oldies covers, and some unexpected twists and turns. He alternated between centre-stage rock out with his greyburst Fender Jazzmaster and a red 50’s Stratocaster (he played more solos than Sexton), picked up a Gibson acoustic for a seated cover of ‘Dio Come Ti Amo’ sung in Italian, then sat at the grand piano for a few ballads including ‘Face in the Crowd’. He even made a passing reference to former bassist Bruce Thomas as “some other bloke” from their early days.
I first saw him back in ’91 in his scary bearded-and-long-hair phase of Mighty Like a Rose, and it’s fair to say this beloved entertainer is not the same scything vocal powerhouse he once was, however Elvis is still a fine storyteller, musician, and all round entertainer.
He spoke of his father’s influence on him (and his dancing!) and how his parents met across a record store counter and his ongoing love for vinyl LPs. Elvis also included a humorous anecdote of buying an early Bruce Springsteen album (probably Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.) and being bewitched by the romantic imagery it conjured, only to be somewhat letdown by his first visit to the USA in the late-70s.
This was the final Australian concert for the rock legend before embarking on four sold out Japan dates and a co-summer headlining tour with Daryl Hall in June and July for a 22-city US outing.
The terrific set list included: ‘Watch Your Step’, ‘Waiting for the End of the World’, ‘Everyday I Write the Book’, ‘Radio Radio’, ‘Watching the Detectives’, ‘Clubland’, ‘Almost Blue’, ‘Man Out of Time’, ‘I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down’, ‘High Fidelity’, ‘(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes’, and a barnstorming finale that included ‘Alison’, ‘Pump It Up’, ‘(I Don’t Want to Go To) Chelsea’, and the Nick Lowe-penned Brinsley Schwarz classic, ‘What’s So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding’.
Further Reading:
♥ Elvis Costello and the Attractions | Get Happy!! Sessions
♥ High Fidelity | The Best of Elvis Costello in the ’80s
♥ Didn’t Know It Was A Cover | Elvis Costello’s Shipbuilding
THE PRESS | Music Reviews 
Great piece.
Thank you Ralph and thanks for checking in.
Really enjoyed that, EC has been a favourite since I first heard Alison back in ‘77. Sounds like a great set list. I would have loved to see him as far back as’91 myself but the first time I caught him was just two years ago in Toronto when he was touring with Nick, the fifth time I’ve seen him.
thanks for reading Randy. Would love to see him with Nick Lowe.
I haven’t seen Elvis anywhere near as much as some fans, but it’s been at least dozen to two dozen shows for me. Two of these were with Charlie Sexton in the band, and Elvis still played more solos than he did.
Yes that is something I didn’t mention, Elvis had many guitar solos.
Thanks for this write-up, Pierce. How cool to have seen Elvis play so recently. I have never seen him in concert, though have had an admiration for his musical stylings for many years. Whenever “A Good Year for the Roses” comes on, my sweety always asks for a repeat of the poignant tale.
Thank you Steve, That is a lovely song I wish he played on the night. I love Elvis right up to and including Mighty Like a Rose. After that he lost me a bit but God knows I’ve tried.
My pleasure.
Living this experience through you.
His voice struggled and at times it took a while to figure out the song. Elvis was a beat behind on most songs, and off key, and struggled to keep up at times. The band were great. Despite of all this it was a good night. I don’t think I would see him again, but he clearly stated he would not be touring Australia again.
Yeah that band looked hot. Good for you to get to the show. I’m pretty lazy but might get to an outdoor festival this summer. Cooder was here last year and I missed him. Still kicking myself.
Elvis lives in my neck of the woods. For some reason I thought you were just down the coast from me in San Fran.