(Atkins’ fetching set aside, some fans likely would be disappointed to know that longtime Costello associate and rock icon Nick Lowe, along with surf-rock’s Los Straitjackets, are opening tonight’s show in Evanston, Ill., along with most stops on the U.S.

Singer-songwriter and New Jersey native Nicole Atkins opened Thursday’s show with a fetching Americana vibe that morphed into a rock-propelled salvo, before later joining Costello and The Imposters for several mid-set songs. Naturally, nothing endeared him to fans more than unleashing some of his oldest and most revered gems, including an extended rendition of “Watching the Detectives” that featured a captivating spoken-word segment and Nieve’s typically splendid keyboard work. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)Įven at 67, Costello oozes an insurgent sort of youthful vibe with his music, all while maintaining an affable, waggish demeanor that endears him to his audience (telling tales like playing with his first band at Catholic girls’ schools where “they paid us precisely nothing”), and while delivering his smart lyrics in that distinctive, spiky voice. Of course, the singer’s rip-smart cohorts - keyboardist Steve Nieve, drummer Pete Thomas and bassist Davey Faragher - pulled these off on Thursday with passionate aplomb, even getting a vocal boost from opening act Nicole Atkins, who joined in on “My Most Beautiful Mistake,” “Still Too Soon to Know,” “I’ll Wear It Proudly” and “You Belong To Me.”įor an hour and 45 minutes, Costello expertly weaved his way through a career’s worth of material, touching on various highlights, ranging from “Just About Glad” from 1994’s “Brutal Youth” to “Hetty O’Hara Confidential” from 2020’s “Hey Clockface,” along with selections from his newest project.ĭancing in the Aisles: Fans in the capacity crowd. Or take 2021’s “Magnificent Hurt” with the lyrics, “The pain that I felt let me know I’m alive, and I opened my heart to the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt.” There’s “The Death of Magic Thinking” from his latest studio album, “The Boy Named If,” with the confessional lines, “I can’t stand on my head, I can’t let go my tears, I can’t control my anger, I can’t admit my fears.” tour kickoff at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

The enduring brilliance of Elvis Costello’s remarkable songwriting extends well beyond clever gems such as “Accidents Will Happen,” “Watching the Detectives,” “Green Shirt” and “Alison” - all of which he performed Thursday night with The Imposters as part of his sold-out U.S.

Lyrics give it to me j. geils band