I'm so glad I got to experience that live magic again. As I tweeted on the day of the show, they're one of the best live bands out there, mostly because of the moving nature of experiencing their emotional tunes in a community. Singing along with Elbow's moving melodies is pretty much mandatory. You're encouraged to sing along if you know the words. And if you don't know the words? Sing along anyway!
The music, lyrics and melodies are so rousing, anthemic and uplifting. The arena and festival sized choruses that build and build in intensity are perfect for any live concert venue. Songs from their latest album Little Fictions mixed in with older classics that will no doubt appear on their Best Of album which comes out November 24. As the band played, lives changed. Up in the front, Juan and Lydia got engaged. Guy congratulated them and we all sang for them. Sadly, not much rhymes with Lydia.
As my favourite live Elbow tune states, one day like this a year would see me right. However, one day like this every three and a half years is too long! Let's hope they come back to Toronto soon and share another beautiful setlist like this one.
"Any Day Now"
"The Bones of You"
"Magnificent (She Says)"
"All Disco"
"The Birds"
"My Sad Captains"
"New York Morning"
Set closer and one of the most uplifting tunes to belt out with around 1,500 of your closest friends, "One Day Like This". Here's a clip recorded at this very show.
First song of the encore, "Lippy Kids"
And the closed out the night with one of my favourites, the powerful "Grounds for Divorce"