Bristol Sounds 2019 was held across five days with headliners like Tom Misch, The Cat Empire, Bloc Party and we were lucky enough to catch Saturdays Headliner act Elbow. The Festival was set in the Lloyds Ampitheatre right in the dock area of Bristol in the UK. This event looked like a well oiled machine with everything running smoothly and no signs of chaos, all toilets clean and no cues. Very small lines at the bar as well and everyone looking like they were ready for this class act to hit the stage. People here are to witness one of the UK’s finest acts Elbow fronted by the very talented Guy Garvey whose solo album Courting The Squall is being regularly played in my house. My main love is metal not gonna lie but this album is a chill out masterpiece, with amazing musicianship throughout the whole album.
The stage was set right on the edge of the water with a giant ramp heading backstage, then an almighty cheer rang out from the crowd as Guy and the band slowly walked up the ramp and gave a cheeky wave to the full crowd and this beautiful setting. The band emerged onto the stage with Guy casually walking out last and going straight in with Fly Boy Blue / Lunette and The Bones Of You.
What you hear on Guy’s solo albums and Elbow’s albums is what you get live, a true class performance. I’ve managed to catch Elbow many times in the past and the vocals are always stunning live, Guy is just one of those vocalists who is just truly flawless. Each track got an almighty roar from this audience and everyone joined in with all the antics like getting the crowd to wave their arms from side to side. Then song four started and Guy said this song is about arguing, with the crowd shouting no it isnt and he was like yes it is and so on ha ha well there you go an instigated argument.
Elbow churned out track after track and going back to albums like Seldom Seen Kid and Build a Rocket Boys with their back catalogue of nearly 30 years they chose well, playing hits like The Bones Of You, One Day Like This, and finally closing out with in my opinion the best song they have ever written Grounds For Divorce. This Harbourside crowd were treated to an epic performance by Elbow. So lets just wait and see what the organisers have for us next year!
