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Biography
Formed in Bury in the 90’s when all the members were together at sixth form college, elbow’s history now encompasses seven studio albums, a long list of awards and a place in the roll call of great British bands.
For a group with such a long history, the sense that they are yet to achieve their total potential has pushed elbow on throughout their long career. Their most recent albums, ‘The Take Off and Landing of Everything’ (2014) and ‘Little Fictions’ (2017) have both debuted at Number One in the UK album charts and the band’s touring schedule has seen them play to ever increasing audiences across the world alongside first-time forays to the likes of Mexico, where their debut in the country was greeted by an audience of 80,000 at Corona Capital 2017. Such a high-profile debut holds no terrors for elbow, the band whose two Glastonbury Pyramid sunset slots are regarded by critics as amongst the finest moments in the festival’s long history.
Such a prestigious history is packed with highlights. Their 2008 Mercury Prize win for fourth album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, transformed them from respected band into household names, it’s attendant single ‘One Day Like This’ becoming the soundtrack to everything from the BBC’s Beijing Olympics coverage to the Big Brother final. Following the Mercury win, the 2009 BRIT award for Best British Group and three Ivor Novello songwriting awards for ‘One Day Like This’, Grounds For Divorce’ and ‘Magnificent (She Says)’.
Lead singer Guy Garvey, who also has his own BBC 6 Music radio show, has been rightly commended with two awards in 2018 for his contribution to UK music. The Music Manager’s Forum and Featured Artist’s Coalition acclaimed Guy as the ‘Artist’s Artist’ at their 2018 Artist and Manager Awards whilst BASCA presented Guy with a Gold Badge award, in recognition of his long contribution to the musical and lyrical canon of British popular culture.
elbow first came to national attention with the band’s inclusion in The John Peel Festive 50 for ‘Powder Blue’ from the debut EP, ‘Noisebox’, in 1998 and, throughout the intervening time, their connection to music lovers had been a recurring theme. Often cited by other artists and familiar names from popular culture including the disparate likes of Elton John, John Cale, Ian Rankin, Michael Caine and Dame Katherine Grainger, the love that the UK has for the band is possibly best demonstrated by their high standing in the all-time Desert Island Discs chart, one of only a handful of contemporary acts to be chosen by the public.
As you would expect, much has changed for the band in those decades. The young men of the Mercury nominated 2001 debut ‘Asleep In The Back’ are now fathers. Their journey to date has taken them from a rehearsal room in Bury across the globe, with band members working on side projects and solo projects in addition to elbow. Guy’s debut solo album, ‘Courting The Squall’, entered the UK charts at Number 3 in 2016 and he has found time to write and perform on film soundtracks and collaborate with Craig Armstrong on recent track ‘Cornflower (Marelle)’. Keyboardist Craig Potter has expanded his production work from elbow’s albums to ex Beta Band frontman Steve Mason’s acclaimed album ‘Meet The Humans’ and working with C Duncan. Guitarist Mark Potter formed blues band The Plumedores. Yet, at heart, elbow were, are and will be the same band, driven to create and continually better their ongoing legacy by the simple maxim that Guy proclaimed on the release of ‘Newborn’, the NME and Melody Maker single of the week that really made people start taking notice of them back in 1999:
"Honesty is a word that surfaces over and over when we are writing which is why I think the romance in our music is always balanced with realism. We are each other’s biggest influences. Basically, this is where we have been for all our adult lives.”
elbow are currently in the studio working on their eighth studio album, due for release in the autumn of 2019 and will play a series of shows next summer. See www.elbow.co.uk for all confirmed dates.
Live reviews
I saw Elbow on the 3rd of their 4 sell-out nights at the Manchester Apollo. Huge fan of the band, as I think they paint their hometown in a way nobody else does.
I think the problem with seeing Elbow live when one is at the age I am (first year uni student at the time of writing) is that they have aged and so have their fans. I'm not personally a huge fan of the new album and prefer their older work, but leaving that aside, it can be painful to see Guy working hard to get an average 45 year-old crowd to participate in doing things enthusiastically. This has a wearing effect on the gig and its atmosphere, as the venue is too large to be intimate, yet the crowd too reluctant to be excited and properly involved.
Elbow's music is good, don't get me wrong. Very good, in fact. Some of it is sublime, and I was delighted that they played "Great Expectations", one of their very best, on the night. But it doesn't seem so great in a huge, hollow hall of the seemingly semi-interested, or when combined with some not-quite-as-good newer music they've made.
It was also over £40.00, which was quite a lot for a medium gig. I love Elbow and that won't change, but I'd hesitate before going to see them again considering the stage they and their fans have reached.
tim-cogan
Elbow and John Grant, Magnificent I say.
My fist Elbow gig and also my first John Grant gig
Up first an eight song set by John Grant fizzling with good humour, swear words aplenty and that beautiful tenor voice Marz and Glacier were outstanding.
Elbow came on stage just after 8:30, Mr Garvey in 90’s handwaving top form, a little demob happy as this was the last gig for some time as he played master of ceremonies though Elbows greatest hits. The voice is just so pure as the music swells around his word pictures and his bro romance with John Grant is hilarious . The whole set was outstanding with light show and back screens to match.Disapointed that there was no sad captains, but the duet between Garvey and Grant made up for it. Loved little fictions, grounds for divorce, Lippy kids but hearing one day like this live for the first time made my night. Come back soon Elbow, until then I will throw those curtains wide.
John Grant Five Stars
Elbow Five stars
The whole evening not enough stars in the universe to do it justice!
ukbazza
Elbow have been a band I've wanted to see for so long. So back in April when they were announced to play in Cork I knew this was finally my chance. I got there early so I could get to the front and ended up front and centre, straight in front of Guy. They came out on stage and there was no desperation from other fans to get a glimpse of the band, just sheer joy that these wonderful musicians had taken to the stage. Their show was absolutely mesmerising, from the beautiful moments of The Night Will Always Win to the adrenaline pumping Grounds For Divorce, Guy Garvey had the Cork crowd in the palm of his hands and loving every single second of it. The night ended with Guy stating "Cork you've been wonderful, have a great night, in fact, no, have a great fucking life!" Then blasted into a rendition of One Day Like This that'll stay with me for the rest of my days, it was such a pure and beautiful moment. If you've ever wanted to see Elbow and you get even half a chance to then take it. You won't regret it.
jack-squibb
This was a family outing and our 2nd time seeing Elbow at Hammersmith Apollo. We always go for standing room near the front. Guy Garvey is such an incredible frontman with an amazing voice. He introduced each song and also the band including the new drummer Alex Reeves who has a hard act to follow but was excellent. Richard Jupp left the band last year after 25 years. Pete Turner, Mark Potter and Craig Potter were all superb and the 2 female backing vocalists, violinists and percussionists were perfection - so multi-talented.
The sound at the Apollo was excellent and it feels like quite an intimate gig. Elbow played all the favourites and a few of the songs from the latest album Little Fictions, including the magnificent "Magnificent". The "word perfect" enthusiastic audience sang along brilliantly to "One Day Like This".
A perfect Sunday evening.
SukieQ
Waited years to see Elbow only to have to leave after a few songs last night at Newport because the lighting was horrific!! What was with the constant very long (like whole song-long!) severe flashing lights?!? I swear it was illegal :( I have photosensitive epilepsy but love going to live gigs. This was the WORST I've come across in terms of lighting that I've even been to. It's totally unnecessary, your music doesn't need it, and you need to think about accessibility for ALL your fans. I don't expect to pay £70 for 2 tickets then have to leave. Luckily the Newport staff were great and made sure I was ok. I'm so disappointed as I'd waited years.
Amorelle
Awesome gig, absolutely loved it, a great selection of songs, old and new, all classics.
The whole gig appreciated by young and old alike, I have never seen such an age range at a Saturday night gig at the Apollo, was wonderful to see, a real family event.
They come across as being honest, genuine and very down to earth and likeable people. Their lyrics are poetic, their music melodic, powerful and evocative, uniquely placed in today's over produced, churned out processed music scene!
Shame the support C Duncan was so atrocious, what a load of drivel! The only dampener on the eveneing.
Philleeep
Guy and the gang did not cease to amaze with pitch perfect vocals and brilliant interaction with the crowd. “Manchester harmony” he called it. The venue is amazing and just the right size with trains passing by to Deansgate. This causes a great response from the crowd and passengers all waving at each other.
My only negative is the sound curfew as it’s a built up area. I’m sure those all sat on their balconies getting it free wouldn’t complain. Well may be about Kylie the night after.
In all, a brilliant set list and performance from Manchester’s finest. Can’t wait for new album.
blowfish14417
First time we have been to see Elbow live and i must say that we were not disappointed. The venue was rather a strange one being in a sports center next to the swimming pool. Support from C Duncan was good. Elbow seem to have a way of ingratiating themselves with the crowd from the get go. There are plenty of songs were they get the crowd to join in and it makes the experience of seeing them that more enjoyable. I would thoroughly recommend going to see them even if you are not necessarily a fan.
Blzbub65
I was turned on to Elbow by my eldest son (17 at the time) a few years ago. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing them live last November at the historic Fox Theater in Oakland CA. It was well worth the 3+ hour drive. Guy Garvey is an absolute born showman. I was surprised that they played just in excess of 2 hour, playing some 18 songs in the set, with 2 encores. What an amazing show. Cant wait for them to come back to the USA. If I have to take a plane to see them I will.
r.d.wilson
I feel like I'm a traitor by saying this, but I have seen them a number of times, and they have always been amazing. This time? Eh!
I don't know whether it was because the set was shorter than it usually is, or that Guy didn't engage with the audience as much (he seemed unusually sober), or they did, in fact, miss Richard, but I didn't leave on high, like I've always done. I left disappointed.
That is one thing I'd thought I'd never say after an Elbow concert.
alanabonnie
