Elvis Costello Looked Back on his Career With St. Louis Concert

July 6, 2025 Sean Derrick

–by Carrie Ogle

Elvis Costello & the Imposters stepped onstage at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri on July 3 to a crowd of about 1400 people. He launched straight into a frenzied rendition of “Mystery Dance,” a cut from My Aim Is True, his 1977 debut album.

The two-hour concert celebrated music Costello released from 1977-1986, with the newest track being “I Hope You’re Happy Now” from Blood & Chocolate. Costello is an adventurous musician and continues to release new music, this tour is all about looking back.

After the first handful of songs were played Costello engaged with the audience asking what they’d like to hear. A man in the 5th row shouted out “Alison!” Costello laughed and said “that’s later in the show” but then went ahead and played it anyway.

Costello could put on a greatest hits concert, and it’s interesting that he has a compilation titled The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1977-86. And yes, he did play more than half the selections found in that collection. But Costello also aired some tracks that he hasn’t played in years, maybe even decades.

A 2003 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he boasts one of the most diverse songbooks in pop-music history. Costello is the only artist anywhere who has made full albums with Burt Bacharach, a string quartet, a jazz big band, the London Symphony Orchestra, New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint, leading hip-hop group The Roots and Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter. His band provided amazing accompaniment, with Pete Thomas playing on a small stand-up drum kit and Davey Faragher playing on an upright electric bass.

Keyboardist Steve Nieve added stellar piano and organ accompaniment without ever detracting from the music. Guitarist Charlie Sexton only soloed a few times, but made his presence felt when he did. His six-string added depth to songs that Costello had originally done with just one guitar, and the band played with fire and finesse throughout.

Check out the rest of the photos in the gallery after the setlist below.

Elvis Costello Setlist:

Mystery Dance

Watching the Detectives

Green Shirt

Less Than Zero

Human Hands

No Action

Accidents Will Happen

Fish ’n’ Chip Paper

The Greatest Love

Opportunity