Culture | Music: Costello performs debut, doubles down with hint of return

Legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello performed live on Friday night at the Macau Cultural Center’s Grand Auditorium. The show marks the singer’s debut in Macau, who has dropped hints recently that he would like to return to perform over a longer duration.
Costello, who was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine, stepped up with a well-balanced line-up, merging some of his most well-
known hits with newly-written material.
The singer also brought conversation and humor to the performance in between solo renditions of his songs, which were played on the guitar and the piano.
On a number of occasions throughout the concert, Costello dropped hints regarding his intention to return to Macau.
After playing a preview song from one of the three musicals that the artist is said to have been working on for the last few years, Costello joked that he would like to bring the performance to the MSAR, hinting that one of Sands China’s resorts might be a suitable venue.
The approximately 90-minute performance was well received on Friday, with Costello receiving standing ovations from enthusiastic audience members.
Shortly before Costello took to the stage, jazz musician Mars Lei hosted a talk at the Cultural Center on the iconic artist’s music and career.
Widely known for his unmistakable interpretation of “She”, soundtrack to the “Notting Hill” movie back in 1999, Costello shot to stardom two decades earlier, thrust by the new wave and punk movements. His creative restlessness would rush him through a wide spectrum of pop hits and complex orchestral arrangements.
Friday night’s performance was the fourth stop of his 2016 Asian tour. After Macau, Costello will continue his tour in Singapore and Taipei. DB