Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quoteNew Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of itquote

Andrew O'Hagan The Twilight Saga: New Moon Theatre

Henry Hitchings

quoteA smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusionquote

Henry Hitchings Cock Restaurants

David Sexton

quoteKitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave quote

David Sexton Kitchen W8

Reader reviews

Film

Adam, Harrow

quoteToo long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effectsquote

2012 Theatre

Rob, London

quoteThis is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flawsquote

The Habit Of Art Music

Bernard, London

quoteAlex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factorquote

Alexandra Burke

Music reviews London,

Elbow

Your rating
one startwo starthree starfour starfive star
Click on a star to rate
Wembley Arena
Arena Square, HA9 0DH

Evening Standard rating Rick Pearson's rating
Evening Standard rating Reader rating
 Add your review

Description: Guy Garvey and his Mancunian indie-rock band play tracks from their Mercury Prize-winning album, The Seldom Seen Kid.


Phone: 0870060 0870
Website: www.whatsonwembley.com

Trains: Tube: Wembley Park Overground network

Extra info: Pub, Parking, Air Conditioning, Food

 
Please wait the page is loading extra content
  • Show details
  • Hide details
  • Show map
Close X

Directions

 

Elbow give the fans a treat

By Rick Pearson, Evening Standard  16.03.09
 
Elbow

Working up a thirst: Elbow’s frontman Guy Garvey

Other reviews

Look here too

Elbow were long overdue a night like this. For many years, the Bury band seemed destined to be rock’s perennial underachievers but thanks to their Mercury-winning fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, they’re now popular enough to headline Wembley Arena.

For frontman, Guy Garvey, it was all a lot to take in. “Wow, there’s loads of you,” he remarked, before launching into Mirrorball. Built on rising strings and an insistent guitar figure, the ballad showcased Garvey’s achingly romantic lyrics. “Now I know what every step is for/To lead me to your door,” he crooned.

Away from the balladry, Elbow proved they could rock. Leaders of the Free World, their third album’s eponymous single, was a mass of distorted guitars and driving beats.

The band were joined by Richard Hawley for The Fix. The shimmering ballad came complete with shakers, tip-toeing piano and a guitar solo from the bequiffed Sheffield troubadour.

Garvey called for a toast before Grounds for Divorce, raising a glass to his adoring throng. The song featured the singer walloping two drums next to his mic stand (he’d put his glass down by this point) and Mark Potter’s bluesy guitar riff.

As a treat for their fans, Elbow played Newborn. The standout track from their 2001 debut, Asleep In The Back, was a reminder that, while the band have only recently garnered the respect they deserve, the music’s always been special.

All that singing’s thirsty work, so Garvey adjourned proceedings for a drinks break. Huddled around Craig Potter’s keyboard, they knocked back a whisky and began Weather to Fly. When Garvey sang “Are we having the time of our lives?” over its chiming verse, the answer from the crowd was unanimous: “Yes!”

They were about to get happier, too, with the arrival of One Day Like This. In its extended coda, it was Elbow’s very own Hey Jude and the feeling of euphoria was total. Eighteen years in the waiting, Elbow’s time has come.

More


Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

Other reviews

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Reader reviews (4)

 Add your review

My fifth Elbow gig, in fact i saw them only 2 weeks prior to Wembley in my hometown of Southend. I've always loved them but as they became more and more recognised with each album i felt a sense of worry that as their popularity increased my love for them would dwindle, However rather than trying to keep them secret I've tried my best to share them with everybody i know. The Wembley gig just re-enforced that feeling as i joined thousands of other followers in what was a truly awseome night. Yes i still felt swept away during Newborn and Scattered Black & Whites as i had all those years before but I also felt the rush of excitement as Grounds for Divorce and One Day Like This was sung out by the crowd with newfound energy and purpose. Guy revealed his song inspirations ranging from Love (Switching Off) to Jealousy (Mexican Standoff) with sentiment and humour. A truly memorable concert and a band i will never tire of sharing.

- Dan Hills, Benfleet, UK

Very professional indeed. The sound was amazing. It was very well organized. I enjoyed the concert and am sure going to attend the next one.

- Rick, London, UK

A concert to remember, I left Wembley feeling like I was a new born who had just discovered music!

What a fantastic band.

- Chris Francis, London Uk, Battle

Blissful concert. Great sound, tremendous empathy with the crowd and a song list that verges on genius.

- Andy Barnard, Burnham UK


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 
 


 
 
London's Weather
Tonight
Light showers
9°c
Morning
Overcast
14°c
5 day forecast
 
 

Daily Mail Mail on Sunday Travel Mail This is Money Metro

Loot | Jobsite | Homes & property | London jobs | FindaProperty.com | Primelocation.com | Educate London | Holiday Villas