Returning to Australia this week for their first tour here since 2012 (where they were supported by Bombay Bicycle Club), Manchurians Elbow filled up the Sydney Opera House last night for the first of two shows at the venue which even Guy Garvey couldn’t help but admit was “iconic”. But as the show went on, and they brought the venue to its feet, you could see on their faces that they were being more than humble, for this would be a night that the band – nor their audience – would not soon forget.
Hitting the stage as their instrumental “Slow Moving Water” came through the speakers, a blue light sitting comfortably behind the stage, Guy raised a cheers to the crowd who responded in kind, while Richard, Pete and the Potter brothers got into position, launching into “Charge” from their latest record The Take Off and Landing of Everything, whose album cover graced the back of the stage. They were also accompanied by Natalia and Kate on the violins, backing vocals and percussion – a notable downsize from the 7 piece orchestra we saw in July at T in the Park, but serving the songs well all the same.
With six albums behind them and a sizeable fandom, Elbow have long been in the position of being able to craft what you might call “the perfect setlist”. A mix of their latest material with old favourites, building up to the best, most soaring tracks to bring the night to an end. And if there was ever a venue to make sure that you delivered such a set, it’s at the Sydney Opera House. And indeed, it seems that they have crafted just that, with Elbow easing the seated crowd into their predominantly slower material – picking up slightly for “New York Morning” ahead of the perennial favourite “The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver”, which one loud fan described as ‘the best written song ever’ and they probably wouldn’t be far off the point.
But then, amongst a set dominated by tracks off The Seldom Seen Kid and their latest LP, comes the epic, soaring, stunning, “The Birds” – done with more power and intensity than I’d ever seen them play before. It brought the crowd to their feet in a standing ovation, and we never sat down again. The energy in the room was extraordinary, with the remaining four songs – including “Lippy Kids” (‘Build a Rocket Boys!’ we shout) and their long time closer “One Day Like This” – having the entire crowd singing along… ‘Throw those curtains wide / One day like this a year would see me right’, as harmonies are encouraged and the acoustics of the Sydney Opera House are shown off in all their splendour.
Though fans of the band might argue that a set at a venue like this deserved a few surprises – the setlist has notably been the same for a while now – you can’t argue with the result. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt energy like this coming out of the Opera House, and there is no greater experience in this city than seeing a show at the indeed iconic venue done right. Bands like Elbow were born to perform in such a location.
It helps, too, that Guy is a consummate front man, engaging well with the audience, telling stories, giving background to some of the songs and trying to individually connect with everyone in the room, from just pointing to a rowdy fan or sending back love when it’s thrown at him. Sure, he’s developed a formula to it, but that doesn’t make it any less inclusive or enjoyable. Guy and his band know how to put on a great show and give their intricate music justice and tonight was a perfect example of just how well they are able to do that – be they playing with the full band, with just a guitar and a piano as in “Great Expectations” or getting the disco ball out, appropriately, for “Mirrorball”. And then there’s that moment when Guy gets on the drums for “Grounds For Divorce”… I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it.
All of this adds up to one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen at the Opera House and a show that will easily rank right towards the top as “best of the year”. Simply stunning.
SETLIST:
Slow Moving Water (Audio)
Charge
The Bones of You
Fly Boy Blue / Lunette
Real Life (Angel)
The Night Will Always Win
New York Morning
The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver
Great Expectations
Scattered Black and Whites
Mirrorball
The Birds
Grounds for Divorce
My Sad Captains
Encore:
Lippy Kids
One Day Like This
Elbow play the Sydney Opera House again tonight before continuing along the East Coast and then heading off to New Zealand. Dates are below and for more details head to http://www.livenation.com.au/artist/elbow-tickets
26th October – Sydney Opera House
28th and 29th October – The Forum, Melbourne
30th October – The Tivoli, Brisbane
1st and 2nd October – The Powerstation, Auckland (NZ)
