Elvis Costello Reviews

Patrick O’Doherty from Boston, Massachusetts

COMMITTED PERFORMANCE BUT MUDDY SOUND

Lots of sincere effort from Elvis, Steve, Bruce et Al spoiled by a very muddy sound mix and over-heavy arrangements of his classic songs rendering some almost unrecognizable. At times it sounded like Metallica covering his songs. In contrast Nick Lowe sounded great after 50 years..

Big D from Vancouver, British Columbia

WHAT’S WITH THE SOUND?

I love Elvis...I’ve seen him many times...but last night was kind of sad. Really bad sound, and Elvis was struggling to hit the notes and even sing on key. I hope it was because of his cold but the energy was low and overall Imwas disappointed.

Neil from NV from Vancouver, British Columbia

A FOR EFFORT BUT RUINED BY TERRIBLE SOUND

A for effort to Elvis and the Imposters. They played for almost 3 hours, but Elvis was battling a cold and the the concert featured probably the worst sound I've ever heard - and judging from the other comments posted here and the number of people leaving the concert at different points in the night, it wasn't just me and my guest. All very surprising because the QE Theatre usually has decent acoustics. Unfortunately, the poor sound and Elvis's strained vocals won out. Ironically, the two back up singers stole the limelight. They provided pretty much the only activity taking place on stage and displayed wonderful vocal prowess when permitted, but they were also a jarring contrast to the otherwise staid band members. Pity, it had the makings of a great show.

Jade from Vancouver, British Columbia

BAD SOUND , NO SPARK

I love Elvis and have seen him 6 times. I hope his struggle to hit the notes was due to a cold and not him losing what was once such a great voice. The sound was just awful and stayed that way throughout the night. Elvis, get a better sound guy! The only spark came from the two back up singers who were also hard to hear due to the sound system . Even the amazing Steve Nieve’s playing sounded tinny. So disappointing.

James Buckwalter from Madison Indiana

ELVIS COSTELLO AT THE PALACE

I agree with the other reviewers who were disappointed in the sound quality. With only four instruments on stage at a time, they should all have been as clear as bells, but instead they all washed together, and the sound was muddy enough that it was hard to hear how the base and the piano and the guitar fit together. Whose fault is this? Is it the sound people who travel with Elvis C. or the people at the Palace who dropped a heavy wet blanket on the whole musical experience?

from Providence, Rhode Island

VERY UNEVEN PERFORMANCE

I've seen Elvis Costello more times than I can remember since the 70's, starting at Rhode Island College, and traveling back and forth to venues in every decade since. I've seen him play angry (even though he isn't any more..) I've seen him play drunk, not feeling well from illness, and everything in between. This performance, in my opinion was a moody, VooDooish , Halloweenie kinda vibe and very difficult to get into. Something more than acoustics was in play here. At times he could barely warble a sentence, other times he sounded like he did in his 20's. I get it...We're much older now. It doesn't excuse poor, sound adjustments, rambling songs just wandering into who knows where, and vilifying great songs and turning them into throw away's I've never accepted the" tired of playing them" excuse. With a catalog as large and varied as the band has that doesn't cut it. He was very engaging, the extra guitar was great but It was the first time I ever left a Costello show before it was over.

Joey from Boston

INAUDIBLE. INCONSISTENT. UNINSPIRED.

I have seen Elvis many times and last night's show was the most disappointing by far. My first time at Providence Performing Arts, I was wowed by the beauty of the place. But the sound system was awful. Over 1/2 the concert was just one loud bass thud with the vocals often inaudible. I don't know whether it was because of the sound or monitors but it was the least energetic I have ever seen him. His voice was often pitchy and his timing was consistently behind the band's playing. I felt he was just going through the motions with a few exceptions....King of America and I Want You come to mind. And the poor guy must be so bored playing Pumping it Up, Watching the Detectives, and Peace Loving and Understanding as his encore (I think it was every other time I've seen him, too). I can't help but wonder if he takes it easy in smaller cities so he can rock harder in bigger ones. Such a mediocre way to experience a beautiful concert hall. Is the sound there always that bad?

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