Elvis Costello Reviews

James C from Vancouver, British Columbia

PRETENTIOUS GARBAGE

Elvis is clearly tired of playing the songs the fans actually enjoy, so instead he created atonal, decidedly unmusical arrangements that are barely recognizable as the songs we know. This was the single worst concert I’ve ever attended. It was my fourth and absolutely last time seeing him live. He has lost all the joy and energy that used to make him such a singular live performer. Nothing remains but a pretentious, self-indulgent shell filled with spite and an overblown ego. I want my money back.

A. Leonard from Los Angeles, California

LONG SHOW, BUT HORRIBLE SOUND MIX

Elvis Costello at the Greek Theater 06/16/23 Sound booth malfunction? What happened?! Nick Lowe sounded great, but Elvis's mix was horrible (for most of the show). Seats in the left side of section C (not the best seats...but, it's the GREEK THEATER...the sound shouldn't be THAT bad back there, right?). Vocals blasting out of one tiny speaker, with a little music mixed in. Got a little better after the first few songs, but was all over the place depending on what guitar Elvis picked up. I'd never seen him before and was so excited for this show, so it was sad. I put an earplug in my left ear, which kept me from losing hearing from the high-end pumping out of that one little speaker (that looked like a little stage monitor where there should've been a small speaker array...so weird.) I WAS impressed with how long he played and the unique versions of familiar songs (otherwise this would be 2 stars...or 1). Stuck around since I'm not sure when I'll get to see him again. 😢

Mark Flint from Phoenix, Arizona

HEAD SCRATCHER...

Just saw the mighty EC at the Arizona Federal Theater. I have seen him many times. What I love about Elvis is that the music is never album perfect. It's always as if you just opened the garage door to the coolest band ever. And this time, it all started out that way. He opened with Mystery Dance. Homerun. And then The Beat and Radio Radio. All of them on fire! about half a dozen songs in he does Accidents Will Happen and happen they did. Not exactly sure what happened. His singing was so back-phrased, slow or out and out behind the music it was hard to listen to. Drummer Pete Thomas deserves a medal for keeping the rest of the night from crashing into the abyss. And yet somehow Elvis kept me on the edge of my seat, never knowing if it him or was he just way to hip for the room and the rest of us have to catch up. Many people left early, scratching there heads. But, like he does, he pulls it all together with Pump it up, Peace Love... and Allison to leave me wanting more.

Dave from Phoenix, Arizona

ODD SHOW

I have been listening to EC for decades and have always enjoyed him playing in the background of my life. Thank you for that Elvis. However, last night's show was not good. The sound was way off, as was EC's performance. He seemed bumfuzzled, fussing about with things and all over the place in his performance. The band struggled to find him in the songs, because he would either be lagging several beats behind or way out in front. Even the great Sexton seemed to not know where EC was going. The strange song (?) he played on that synth machine was... well, strange! I applaud the creativity, but there is a place and time... and that wasn't it. My advice would be to take a page from some of his contemporaries like Van Morison, who also has a huge catalogue of great music from his career (and also finds the years catching up with him) be well-rehearsed--tight, come out, stand at the mic and belt out the greats like a pro! Your audience will absolutely love you for it.

An EC and DK fan from Los Angeles, California

HE SHOULD NOT BE TOURING ANYMORE

The worst concert I’ve ever been to. Between the total loss of pitch, the slagging of his fans at Reno and Bend and simply a clear loss singing ability, Elvis dishonoured himself and his fans. At times, his si of. Was like bad college frat boys karaoke. There is nothing f positive to say about the performance so I will stop here.

KShawn from Los Angeles, California

A LITTLE SAD

I have seen EC many times over the past 35 years so I would place myself firmly in his camp as a devoted lifelong fan. Having said that, the performance at the Greek on 6.16.2023 was deeply dissapointing. The sound mix was so bad as to be baffling that it did not improve during the extended performance. The recrafting of so many of his hits with slower tempo and new arrangements dredged up images of Bill Murry portraying a sappy lounge singer. I affirm that he is a great lyrisist and a historically fantasic live performer and understand that the band was very talented but I would be reluctant to see more of his shows in the future should they continue on the same trajectory as the one that I walked out on early last night.

from Los Angeles, California

THE OLD GUY AND BAND STILL HAVE IT

with a great mix of new and old and slowed down versions of timeless hit great show and Nick Lowe and Los Straighjackets proved to be a great warmup GREEK 6/16/23

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