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September 16, 2026

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Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Elvis Costello and his great backing band, The Imposters along with Charlie Sexton on guitar, brought some Radio Soul to Packard Music Hall last night. 

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For this tour, Costello is focusing on songs that he wrote and recorded during the first ten years of his career.  So several deep cuts like "Goon Squad" and "Lovers Walk" made the set.

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Actually, very few hits made the first part of set except for "Watching The Detective."

 

Costello switched between electric and acoustic guitars and during the middle of the set, he went over to the piano and did a sort of "acoustic set" that included a totally different arrangement of "Every Day I Write The Book."  Afterwards, he told the small but enthusiastic audience that was just the way he felt like playing that tune tonight.

 

I didn't particularly care for that arrangement.

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The last quarter of the set is where things really picked up and had the audience up on their feet.  "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" got things started.  Then a great version of "Alison" went into "Pump It Up" which led to the show closing "(What's So Funny 'Bout ) Peace Love and Understanding."  

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The end of the show made up for an uneven start and everyone left happy.

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Review and cell phone pictures by Greg Drugan

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