Their entry was amusing, as with pursed lips singer Guy Garvey and the band gave a blast of brass for the night's opener Starlings, the first track from new album The Seldom Seen Kid.

If that record only occasionally matches the power and beauty of past offerings, live everything comes wonderfully together.

It really was an intimate experience, with the jovial Garvey making you feel one of the gang, checking in jest almost every five minutes: "Are you all right?"

Indeed Elbow's only problem on stage is one of their own making – too many songs you pray beforehand to hear, but not enough time for them to be played.

But they just about got it right, with the moving Great Expectations, the lush Mirrorball, and the delicate Red highlights.

Best of the lot, as on record, was Newborn, it's gentle build up and crashing crescendo making it the peerless star of the show.

Also making their mark were recent single Grounds For Divorce, One Day Like This and Station Approach.

They closed on a high with Grace Under Pressure, but still left you wanting so much more.