40 years on....

The first Elvis Costello concert I went to was in 1978. Back then, Belfast was a dangerous destination for many touring artists given the fully fledged terrorism that was in play, but nonetheless Costello and his band the Attractions came across. It was on the way BACK to England from that Belfast concert that Costello wrote what was to be his biggest selling single “Oliver’s Army” - inspired by the military scenes of the British Army on the streets that he witnessed here.

I have been a fan since 1977 and later this evening, I will be seeing him in concert in Dublin for what will be the 40th time. It’s curious how life works out but little did I know that his music would be the soundtrack to my life and the older I get the more I appreciate that! He has just turned 70 but it still very active on stage and anyone familiar with his work will appreciate the intensity in so many of his songs. He is on stage for around two hours and that shows his commitment to the shows.

I worry about his voice which is not as strong as it once was but I am just happy to be able to enjoy an evening in his presence and listen to all the songs I know so well.

The biggest irony is that Elvis Costello’s canonical first five albums were produced by Nick Lowe who just happens to be playing in concert in Dublin tonight! I wish I could see them both!

Elvis has been a musical magpie all his life embracing many genres and exploring all sorts of possibilities. I like that. Just churning out boilerplate content would have been dull. I consider his lyrical dexterity to be the greatest of any living English songwriter and right up there with Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney.

But time comes for us all so it’s more important than ever that I take advantage of these tours. Tonight he is on stage with just his long time keyboards/piano player Steve Naive. So the songs will be slower, more intimate. I will report back but not before leaving you with that greatest moment - inspired by Belfast in 1978.

Don’t start me talking……