A great weekend in Madrid - I love that city!

We arrived at the venue with a couple of hours to spare as we still needed to collect tickets. There were quite a few people sitting on the steps to the arena and as we got near enough we could hear lots of English being spoken - we were not alone! As the box office was not yet open, we decided to get the refreshments in at a small bar across the street, over the next 30 mins the bar was filled with Brits! A big hello to all the lovely people we met there!

The Howling Bells, an Australian four piece band, were supporting and they we really enjoyed their short set, from the various tweets back and forth they obviously enjoyed the company of the band.

It must have been just after 9 local time when Elbow took to the stage to a great reception, I hadn't noticed up to that point just how much the venue had filled up. That's how it seems to work in Spain, they never rush early into anything.

By the end of the opening number, The Birds, tears were rolling down my cheeks, looking around I wasn't the only either. After many years appreciating the band, this was the first chance I've had to see them live and to say I was moved is an understatement.

I won't go on to list the whole set as a) I can't remember and b) you probably know or can guess anyhow. Stand outs for me were Neat Little Rows, Station Approach... er all of the songs really. Every one was my favourite. That's how it is with Elbow.

Guy enlisted the help of a Spanish lass to translate as he explained the story behind Puncture Repair but I think she may have been mis-translating for comic effect judging by the reaction of the Spanish crowd. He finally sacked her when she couldn't manage 'cuppatea'.

The only disappointing moment of the evening was when a group of over exuberant football fans from Manchester started to get out of hand, Mr Garvey used amazing crowd control ( "SHUT THE F**K UP" ) and when he explained that the band had discussed it many times and that they "Don't like football anyway" they fell silent for the remainder - hoorah!

All too soon it was over, the last notes of One Day faded and the lads were waving goodbye. Wished we had been going on to Barcelona for another helping, we'll have to wait until they next get to Glasgow or Aberdeen.

Amazing!

A few photos:


The Howling Bells




"Hello Madrid!"




Someone's not clapping








Seldom....




...seen




The River




Talking to his interpretor




"Let me see your hands"




"Starlings"




Goodbye but

Can't really add much to that really.

Again an amazing night, I think of all the times we seen them including St Pauls this just about topped it. Great venue, great crowd, fab weekend. We were a couple of rows from the front, got a point and a smile, swooon. What a birthday weekend!

Not even the "Manchester, la la la" mob couldn't spoil it!!

Roll on the next time.......

Top show!
after seeing them twice in a big venue it's nice to see them in front of a smaller crowd. this weekend i didn't really connect with any madrilin(?) untill i sangalong on the birds and open arms with 2 spanish fans.
great show!
thanx for the pics