Elbow, Matt Corby @ The PalaceTheatre, Melbourne(27/07/2011)

Thu 28th Jul, 2011 in Gig Reviews

The last time Melbourne hosted melodramatic Mancunians Elbow, the quintet were found playing the Corner Hotel. Since 2009 however, the Mercury Award-winning record The Seldom Seen Kid has emerged as the band’s career-defining triumph; its successor Build A Rocket Boys! earning its own substantial acclaim for good measure. Naturally, then, in this year’s run of Splendour In The Grass sideshows, Elbow would not only upgrade to the larger Palace Theatre, but sell out their first night.

First to the stage was Matt Corby, whom the odd punter may remember from Australian Idol’s fifth season back in 2007. It became apparent almost immediately just how much Corby has branched out since enduring the commercial machinations of the competition, cutting the angst-ridden figure of a singer-songwriter with a fine line or two in tow. The Sydney-sider would present two modes of folk performance, summoning a band on different occasions. As a trio comprised only over guitar/piano, bass and drums, there’s no doubt they pack a formidable punch in executing Corby’s craft. Meanwhile, Corby possesses a particularly powerful voice, his vocal talents frequently taking flight alongside a lightning-quick instrumental prowess.

It’s obvious that, as a performer, Corby is more than serviceable. His material though, leaves much to be desired; either following a predictable enough structure or failing to leave any great lasting impression. Alongside his band, Corby’s songs would often introduce a melodic motif with an eventual crescendo in mind, only to ensure a hurried return to the song’s humble beginnings. It was a pattern that, when understood, felt stale rather quickly. When solo, too little would actually transpire in Corby’s songs to be able to render them anything but bland acoustic balladry. It’s difficult to know exactly where Corby might go from here, but there’s plenty of potential brewing. Perhaps a more considered focus on indie-pop just might work wonders.

When Elbow’s extensive ensemble did take to the stage, the headline act earned rapturous adoration from the Palace. The Birds would open proceedings, an intricate groove paving the way for Guy Garvey’s impeccable charisma. His soulful delivery would ignite to surge powerfully throughout the venue, the epic opener finding wings. A warm welcome was extended to one and all, Garvey’s expertise – as an utterly charming figure – extending to natural between-song-banter.

Naturally, then, Elbow encountered little trouble in endearing themselves to their devotees. With stellar renditions of The Bones Of You, Mirrorball (aided by the venue’s own apparatus) and Neat Little Rows, the sold-out show was fast becoming an amazing spectacle. Garvey sensed an opportunity, leading the venue to the realms of absurdity. “God, I had a good cheese toastie this morning,” roared his fans, in a beautifully ridiculous call-and-response interlude. With the raucous Grounds For Divorce the resultant song – a gritty guitar-driven highlight of the set – it was expected such antics would not be the last time Garvey would command those in attendance.

Elbow are as close to perfect a live band any punter could hope for, and it seemed they intended to prove it the night long. With the aid of a stirring two-piece string section, Elbow – a group of men with some twenty years experience playing together – indulged in an impressively precise performance. The band would take a moment to commemorate their milestone, raising shotglasses as their fans spontaneously conveyed their birthday wishes through song. Fittingly, Weather To Fly would follow to close this, an important chapter of the evening.

It became clear that Elbow were eyeing off a supercharged finale, with a view to blow the roof off with their biggest, most rousing anthems. Open Arms would be the first in Elbow’s arsenal to draw such an ecstatic response, as hands held aloft gently motioned to conduct the gorgeous symphony at Garvey’s behest. It was an explosive end to the set and yet an encore would follow. Amazingly, Elbow had much, much more left to give. First came Starlings with its stunning brass component, before Station Approach would pave the way for the Hey-Jude-euphoria of One Day Like This. An immense feeling of elation swept over a venue united in one fantastically fitting end to a brilliant evening.

Fans may have been disappointed in the band’s neglect for their older material, with Elbow drawing almost exclusively from their two most recent albums. Such an idea could stand only as a minor blemish on an otherwise fantastic evening however, as Elbow delivered a sure candidate for one of the gigs of 2011.