Elvis Costello

JFK Stadium and the Tower Theatre

Elvis Costello & The Attractions at JFK 1982

JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA, 1982

Elvis Costello played JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on August 21, 1982, alongside Genesis, as part of a massive outdoor festival that also featured Blondie and A Flock of Seagulls, with Robert Hazard opening the all-day event. What many people don’t realize is that JFK was one of the largest stadiums in the world at the time. And if you were there, you definitely felt it — you were one of more than 100,000 people, especially if you were a woman trying to use the bathroom.

Elvis was just breaking into the mainstream then, but by the end of the day he had emerged as the true “star of JFK.” Pump It Up was already a favorite of mine, and it still is to this day.

Philadelphia Inquirer article about the JFK Stadium show

Setlist

Accidents Will Happen
Green Shirt
Pidgin English
Hand in Hand
Shabby Doll
Watch Your Step
King Horse (with verses of The O'Jays “Backstabbers”)
…And in Every Home
Watching the Detectives (includes verses of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me”)
Pontiac Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson cover)
Kid About It
Temptation
From Head to Toe (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles cover)
You Belong to Me
Alison
Beyond Belief
Clubland
Radio Radio
Shipbuilding
(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Brinsley Schwarz cover)

Encore:
Mystery Dance
Pump It Up

Elvis Costello at the Tower Theatre 1999

Tower Theatre marquee for Elvis Costello, Upper Darby, PA

Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve played the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby on June 25, 1999. It was a far more intimate venue—famous for its superb sound—but the real intimacy came after the show, when Elvis stepped out the side door, signed autographs, and spent time with his fans.

Elvis Costello signing an autograph outside the Tower Theatre

  1. Temptation
  2. Accidents Will Happen / 24 Hours From Tulsa
  3. Talking in the Dark
  4. Toledo
  5. What’s Her Name Today?
  6. (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea
  7. Clown Strike
  8. Baby Plays Around
  9. Motel Matches
  10. Little Triggers
  11. Everyday I Write the Book
  12. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
  13. Uncomplicated
  14. Hand in Hand
  15. You Lie Sweetly
  16. Painted From Memory
  17. This House Is Empty Now
  18. Pads, Paws and Claws
  19. Indoor Fireworks
  20. Stranger in the House
  21. Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said
  22. God’s Comic
  23. Alison
  24. In the Darkest Place

Encore 1

  1. Inch by Inch / Fever
  2. Shallow Grave
  3. Watching the Detectives

Encore 2

  1. Veronica
  2. She
  3. The Birds Will Still Be Singing
  4. I Want You
  5. Pump It Up

Encore 3

  1. I Still Have That Other Girl
  2. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
  3. God Give Me Strength
  4. Couldn’t Call It Unexpected #4