Elbow at the Brighton Centre were simply majestic. Having formed twenty years ago but only getting the plaudits they deserved on the back of their album ‘Seldom Seen Kid’ released three years ago, they now have a back catalogue that not only pleases their long standing fans but it’s also drawing in a new fan base. With the release of their latest offering, ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’ they’ve stuck to their winning formula and have a live show that has to be one of the best currently in British music.

At the centre of this spiritual experience is a man that could be the bloke that spends too much time in your local; Guy Garvey. He plays the crowd perfectly, bantering with his adoring audience in between songs like a seasoned comedian but when he sings, he captivates a room like few singers we’ve seen before. His lyrics and his voice can move you to tears, yet minutes later he has the crowd in hysterics as he reveals the secret cocktail bar within his piano. Guy Garvey and band are here to move you but they are also here to have fun and that is a rare and difficult balance with a live show on this scale. ‘Grounds for Divorce’ and a rousing encore of ‘One Day Like This,’ are highlights from the set, but to be honest every song is beautiful tonight.

Elbow are a band that are absolutely at the top of their game and it’s difficult to see a band topping that performance in Brighton this year. The stage is set for world domination at Glastonbury in June.







Words by Guy Lloyd www.guylloyd.co.uk Photos by Matthew Hodson www.matthewhodsonphotography.co.uk