Elvis Costello brings ‘Just Trust’ tour to Memphis
“Something always happens when we come to Memphis,” says Elvis Costello. “Sometimes it’s great, and sometimes it’s something else.”
On Friday night, the British singersongwriter, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy winner will be back in Memphis playing his namesake’s home, with a concert set for Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
“The address we are playing is surprising to say the least,” quips Costello.
Here are five things to know before you go:
Costello is making a relatively quick return to the Bluff City, less than a year removed from his show at the Orpheum, which came after his recovery from cancer in 2018.
“The last time … I was one phone call away from having to fly to England as my 91-year-old mother fought hard to recover from a stroke and happily is with us still,” Costello says.
“People who saw us play last year might have caught a little struggle but put it down to an illness that I’d already beaten. It isn’t easy to align your energies when you want to be in three places at once.”
Costello’s current jaunt, dubbed the “Just Trust” tour, hasn’t seemed to suffer from any lack of focus — in fact, it’s been his most widely hailed and raved about run in recent years.
“Right now, I don’t think I’ve ever heard The Imposters and our singers sound better,” Costello says. “It’s a privilege to be standing out front, trying to lead the way.”
Costello began coming to Memphis relatively late, not making his first appearance in town until 1983, six years after the release of his debut, “My Aim Is True.” He played Mud Island again in 1984, before a decadelong gap that saw him finally return to the venue with the Attractions in 1994. Another 10-year absence followed, but starting in the early 2000s, Costello has been a regular and enthusiastic visitor to the Mid-south. The Graceland show will represent Costello’s 11th concert appearance in Memphis in the 21st century, a number that includes gigs at the Orpheum, Minglewood Hall, the New Daisy, the Beale Street Music Festival and multiple shows at the old Hi-tone Cafe around his “The Delivery Man” LP, recorded in nearby Oxford, Mississippi. Among those were two packed, sweaty nights at the Hi-tone preserved on the 2005 DVD release “Club Date — Live in Memphis.” Costello’s Beale Street Music Fest appearances have been equally memorable, guest-filled occasions. His 2005 set featured appearances by Howlin’ Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo, while his custom-curated band for the 2009 fest featured Jim Dickinson, in what would prove to be the Memphis pianist/producer’s final public appearance.
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