Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom, 1982 on Columbia

Seventh studio LP from Costello and the sixth with The Attractions, out of F-Beat in the UK and Columbia in the US. A must have for collectors of Costello or indeed the whole new wave / alternative era of the late seventies to mid eighties.

My copy – direct from the artist at a show at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly MA with Steve Nieve — is a recent reissue by UMe, who now handle Costello’s catalog.

Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve, March 1st 2025 at the Cabot

Last time Elvis Costello came through Beverly and did a show at the Cabot I didn’t manage to get tickets. This time, as a member, I was able to score a great seat in front row balcony.

The Costello & Nieve 2025 tour announced 15 nights in February and March:

I can’t vet all the venues, but I’m guessing the Cabot in Beverly is one of the smaller, at ~850 seats. If you can get one of the first row balcony seats it is one of the best venues on the North Shore.

The stage set includes a number of mics – lots of places where Costello can sit or stand and use various kinds of microphones, guitars, and keyboards appropriate to the mood. Nieve mostly stayed beyond the keys there in the back left, between piano and keyboard options.

They played a wide variety of songs from across Costello’s career. He was in great form, joking about getting a capo from Timothy Chalamet who he felt could play him in a biopic after “a couple of years and a couple of cases of gin.”

(Full Setlist and review from Boston.com)

The lighting played a bit of havoc with my phone camera – this was “Black Sails in the Sunset”

I did not get many recordings – was just enjoying the show – but grabbed a few snippets.

“Brilliant Mistake” early in the set – “He thought he was the King of America /
Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine”

There was a fair amount of reflection on America and the current political climate – consistent with what Costello called the “Angry Young Man” rep he’s been saddled with.

An almost meditative “Veronica” – with Nieve at the piano and Costello on the stool down-stage right where he played a number of quieter / more reflective songs.

For “Allison” Costello moved to the Fender Rhodes stage left – you can hear Nieve’s piano as well.

Finale of “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace Love and Understanding” on which Costello and Nieve traded singing duties – perhaps the expected closer but I was all about it.

#BeverlyMA #CabotTheatre #ElvisCostello #LiveMusic #SteveNieve