An HONEST Review of Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello live in concert Fontainebleau Las Vegas 06/23/24 

I have to say that given their ages IMO I think they put on as good a show as they could. I feel like the show I went to at Mohegan Sun Friday night was very good. I only knew of a few of Elvis Costello's songs but could hear his talent in the songs I didn't know. Daryl's voice sounded great! He had people on their feet dancing! Unfortunately today IMO again there is way too much criticism for every little thing. Just appreciate the singer and their talents and ability to go out and share it with their fans because its what they love doing!

I have tickets for this weekend at Bethel Woods. I don't care if Daryl is not perfect, I will applaud him with all the gratitude in my heart for 50 years of music that kept me going through life's highs and lows and a voice that was a gift, a gift that he shared with the world. ❤

Also with Costello, you are getting a world class back up band with 2 original Attractions, Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas, plus famous session bass man Davey Faragher and Charley Sexton who helped make Dylan's late career albums sound so great.

I do love what you said about Ticketmaster.

Elvis did "The Only Flame in town" without Daryl like the recording? You'd expect them to duet since they are both headliners.

I'm 69 and saw over 200 rock concerts between 1971 and 1993. (First was Jethro Tull..Last was Jeff Healey). This is why I haven't been to a concert in 30 years. Rip off prices for REALLY old performers WAY past their prime. I saw Hall and Oates in 1980 for $10 3rd row dead center. CASE CLOSED....I'd much rather watch videos of 70s concerts on youtube or DVD....for FREE whenever I want,

I was at the Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello shows at Mohegan Sun and MGM Music Hall at Fenway. I was up dancing at the end of both and would have been up more if I wasn't in the 2nd and 1st rows and didn't want to block the views of people behind me. I felt the connection at both shows. Maybe I could see it better because of where I was sitting but Daryl was looking and smiling at people a lot.

The high fee's is why I quit going to big shows. It is ridiculous

Elvis sang SO flat all night. Not sure if there is some hearing issues going on. Energy might have been flat for both but Elvis actually sings flat tonally.

Enjoyed the review mate. It all sounds very believable. Thanks

@JoeInVegasReviews Thanks for this recap! I was there in the third row and while I agree with much of what you are saying I do think the staff at Fountainbleu are largely to blame for the crowd not moving. Every time we all stood up to dance they forced us to sit back down - even at the very end when people moved up to the stage for You Make My Dreams Come True they bullied us back to our seats. One drunk older man started aggressively yelling at people to sit down and started jabbing his elbows and stomped on me on purpose because I stood up to dance in my seat (along with many others). Security was more concerned with stopping people from having fun than stopping that man from swearing and yelling at show-goers. It was appalling. I would have gotten help from security to have him ejected but I didn’t want to miss any of Daryl’s set after paying so much and traveling so far to see him. I saw this same show in Bend, Oregon, a few weeks ago and it was incredible. The guys are tired from playing on the road for a month straight, too, so it all combined for a challenging show. Elvis is great but agree his set was too long and many of us wanted more Daryl. Those of us who love his music weren’t there to hear his 1983 voice, but to see the legend we grew up adoring and whose music is the stuff of our entire lives. He can still do an amazing show, this just wasn’t the one. Finally - his new album “D” is soooo great! I’ve chatted with many other fans and we all love it. It’s catchy and upbeat and then tragic and powerful - takes you on a whole journey through his hard times the last five or so years. I can’t comment on Elvis, other than agreeing he’s cool, because I’m the OG Daryl enthusiast. And for that reason alone I had a fantastic time - even getting yelled at and stomped on. Oh and about Daryl’s reputation for being cantankerous on stage - well, he seems to do so mostly when people aren’t doing their jobs. He’s always been a no bullshit kinda guy, so when people mess up he calls them on it. I get that. He can be salty but there’s usually a reason and he’s usually right, then media misinterprets it. Daryl, I can’t say no to you! Thanks for the review - I hope the angry drunk man is met with karma for ruining a special night, and that I’ll have a chance to see Daryl play again in a better venue - for now my money’s run dry and I’m just going to play my new “D” album and smile!

Not a bad review, My mom and I saw Daryl Hall in Chicago in 2022 and his voice sounded not too bad!!! sure, he can’t hit the notes like he used to, but he was more daring when it comes to some of the notes that he sang!! there were a couple people in the audience dancing but not much, especially in You Make My Dreams though that was probably a bunch of drunk people lol!!! It’s a shame to hear about what’s going on between Hall & Oates!!! I became a fan of those two a couple years ago and it saddens me to see their falling out right before my eyes!!! It’s a shame that I’ll never get to see those two perform ever again, but at least I was able to see one of them and that’s pretty much all that matters to me even if it’s not the greatest compared to all those years ago!!! but yeah, nice review and it sounds very accurate to what’s been going on in recent Daryl Hall concerts!!!

Why didn’t Daryl premiere his new album? I think we have heard enough of the old Hall and Oates songs. He really has some fantastic songs from himself. Oh well

Were you at the same show? Fans were up dancing. More would have had security not shut them down. Daryl and Elvis had killer bands that shined.

Radio City: Elvis still “has it” but his music was a big 💤💤💤 for me. Daryl sounded strong, crowd was up and jamming, he engaged. If the venue YOU reviewed was not allowing people to stand, how are you surprised they were not up and dancing? 🤔 Daryl Hall is a perfectionist. Not a “prick”. He’s never been about the bull--. Do your job and there won’t be an issue. Period. Daryl will be 78 in October and has battled Lyme disease (not easy on the voice) and still he gets out there creating and performing -i know i hope i can sound and look as cool as this man when/if i get there!

Hey Joe, this is my second comment on your site today. I really like your no nonsense review style. I saw Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren doing this same co-headlining tour a couple of years ago before Elvis Costello took Todd's place. The shows I saw with Daryl and Todd were good shows. I think what can make a difference is how long Daryl (or any artist) has been on a tour. For me?... I want to see artists as close to the start of their tours as possible now, and I will travel to wherever that is to make that happen. Daryl has his own music out. Much of it I like. But if I'm honest, I think he wanted to go out and do his own music and very little Hall and Oates music. But each show I went to, people would call out H&O songs. I think that was insulting to him. And Now? I think his touring is just one last cash grab. Sometimes, performers can only create magic for so long. And It sounds like that's what's happening with Daryl. From what I can see, it also looks like his "Daryl's House" musicians (whom were excellent musicians) have changed. As far as the sound issue goes, I've seen Daryl three times and he has had an issue at every single show. It's uncomfortable to watch - like watching a grumpy old man have a hissy fit. But I'm convinced, it's a Daryl issue, NOT the sound guy. Sorry this was so long - Thanks for your reviews. . Oh wait, one last thing - FUCK TICKETMASTER!! Nothing but greedy A-holes. I hope someone lands hard on them, legally speaking.

To add something here that no one has mentioned, musicians can back me up. Hall is probably not touring with a slew of 18 wheelers, loaded with stage, lights & PA equipment. So, this, contractually, is supplied by the promoter. Not all promoters ate created equal. This is why Van Halen did the brown M&Ms. The act may have the specs for PA equipment in the rider, but that doesn't mean that is what is going to be wsiting at the venue for the nights show. So, the sound guys may be dealing with old/worn, under powered, inferior boards, amps & speaker cabs. This, no matter how talented, is a sound guys nightmare. Having said that, i have sat in front of the FOH board, and been dismayed at how lousy the mix was. Maybe these guys are deaf or have tin ears. But, one would assume that the players would have somebody mixing the stage sound that is competent, because if you can't hear yourself.......... especially the vocals! Though that does not excuse Hall from yelling at his crew like that, in front of the audience. I don't care how much of a perfectionist one is, thats not professional. I've heard many a "star," give praise to their crew, and their hard work. Though, possibly, they are traveling bare bones, and hire these sound guys from local sound companies. As the saying goes, a good sound guy can make a bad band sound good or a good band sound lousy.

Great review. Straight from the heart! ❤

Kenny Loggins and Daryl Hall would be a killer lineup!

Boy, you'd think Hall would be prime Vegas material.

Thanks for this. Daryl has been gesticulating at his sound people for years - it's super distracting. You'd think he'd sort it out by now. I'm a big fan, but when my wife asked if I'd like to check him out again, I declined. Funny you mentioned Costello sang The Only Flame in Town - that would have fun for Daryl to come on stage for.

It appeared that Elvis band was Arc Angels also known as the band for Stevie Ray Vaughn. I’m curious if this was capitalized on at any point of the concert?

There are seated shows and standing shows. These gents appeal to a seated crowd in a venue like that. I did what you did when I saw pre-Covid Costello and the Imposters. Got up and walked around. But absolutely enjoyed every note in the show. Would you be dancing around if it was Frank Sinatra? Probably not. Same with these guys at this point. Basically, relax and enjoy the performance. They're probably just getting started on the tour. Plus, they should sing The Only Flame in Town together.

That sounds like a great Costello setlist. I saw him live once. He was going through a "country phase." He did country versions of his hits. I hated it. I would have loved hearing him do his well-known songs in the traditional arrangements. Many of the songs that you mentioned were big hits.

Sounds like a review of a typical Daryl show these days. Shouting at sound guys, yet not doing sound checks, really short and unimaginative set and as the Hall & Oates song goes...Going thru the motions. I am a huge fan but that doesnt get in the way of me calling it how I see it.

Re. Oates. Oates went to sell his half the songbook and didn't tell Hall from what I hear. That would beef anybody in a partnership.

I was there and you can not do this review without mentioning the horrible, horrible sound system or techies or whatever was wrong Sunday night! Daryl had every right to complain about it. He said, "I sound like I'm singing in a box!" He's been touring for 40 years! He knows when something is off! I give him credit for stopping and trying to fix it. Poor Elvis sounded like he was singing in a bubble, underwater, singing backwards! I go to 5-10 concerts a year depending on if my favorites are touring. And I have never, heard sound this bad! The venue sucks, in plain English! One more thing, Daryl's band is also awesome!

Agree, I was in the 300s and as a musician myself, I noticed Elvis wasn’t keeping tempo with the band or vice versa, and then Hall, I think just needed to do an actual sound check because he was right, it was box-y, and his vocals should have been turned up, so that his voice doesn’t get drowned out by the band. But there was miscommunication and I think the audio guy kept just turning up the whole band? Idk. However, he should have gone about it by stopping it early to do a proper check, instead of just being mad about it the whole time. I think Hall screaming at the audio people the whole time kinda killed the mood. Costello was definitely the more enjoyable part of the show even with timing issues.

Sounds like Elvis Costello had a great set list going...probably deserved a better audience?

Elvis costello done most of his hits,most probably the audience didn’t know him,very old hits.and there getting on.both of them.

the crowd has a lot to do with it too. I was at the Greek show a few days before, it was night and day more energy. This crowd was much older looking and sat down more.

I saw Hall and Oate right before Covid in NYC and they sounded terrible. Squeeze opened and they were fantastic

Daryl Hall is overwhelmed by his ego.

A solo artist needs to be center stage most of the time. At a concert on the tour with Todd Rundgrun, Daryl left center stage and moved to the piano on the far right for 2-3 long songs. Only a quarter of the audience could see him. I could not in row 3 center left. The audience wasn't mean, but they started talking to each other. The concert was saved when he moved back to the keyboard for the rest of the songs, and then Todd joined for the duets.

I was at that show tons of fans were at the front of the stage dancing and security kept trying to get them to sit down. This happened several times. And Daryl cussing at his sound guys? I saw some hand signals to them and once he had to wait a minute for them to change something, but I never heard him cussing at them. Are you sure this review is for his Las Vegas show??

Daryl cry’s about the sound every show

its not ticket master it's the acts !! Do the research.

Hey Joe, love your reviews. I usually give your reviews a 95/100, but I may have to give you an 80 on this one. 😂 I was at the show and was in the right floor section (104) on the inner aisle 12 rows back. I agree about the flat floor and the chairs they brought from their conference room being awful. I was also there the night before to see Third Eye Blind. The floor was GA SRO. The sound on both nights was pretty terrible. For reference, this was my 31st concert this year and I’ve seen over 300 all over the world and this was some of the worst sound. Echoey and lacked punch. As Daryl said “like I’m in a box.” The sound was awful for both bands 3eb and yellow card on Saturday and both on Sunday. Daryl’s yelling would have usually made me uncomfortable, but I was glad he did it because the venue needs to address it. Every time he yelled at his tech, I replied “it’s the venue.” I actually thought Elvis was good, I liked the vibe. However, there was a large group near me who weren’t there to see him and kept talking over the music. There was a lot of sitting during both performances. From my vantage point, security only intervened when people from the back of the floor rushed the stage and stayed up there for a long period. If I purchased front row and had someone from the back come stand in front of me, I’d want them moved back to their seats. I agree that Daryl was a bit more lounge-y and not as energetic. I did like his band. Despite what I said up top, I’d say your scores are fair. Maybe 70s for each guy, but the terrible sound of the venue definitely affected it. Let me add that we were also distracted by the incidents with the people up front (I’m assuming it’s the one with the other long comment here) so much so that we bailed before he came out for the encore. I’ve only done that a handful of times in my life. Rock on, keep up the great reviews and maybe I’ll see you at an upcoming Vegas show.

Thanks for the review.. I was at the show also, first time at Fountainbleu as well. Sat in the 300 section. I'm a huge Elvis fan, and have seen him many times throughout his career. The sound was way off. , it seemed like they had timing issues, or monitor issues, and just not a typical Elvis show. he has like 400 songs or something to play from and seemed to mix them up pretty well but I was disappointed overall. I also like Hall and Oates and it was the first time seeing Daryl Hall, and his voice sounded week, and his attitude was cocky, but hey he is 77 years old, so the voice is understandable and the combo of the bad sound and his weak voice made too much to bare and we left early. I won't knock myself out to go back to the Fountainbleu, or Daryll Hall.. Elvis gets a pass because he usually knocks it out of the park, for me anyway.

❤❤❤❤

Are you able to express yourself without saying “fuck” four times in the first two minutes?

Hall should stay @ Darryls House. SUX!

Thanks for your honest review . Btw a lot of Elvis Costello setlist were hits over here in England . So sorry to hear that Daryl Hall was off key both with his vocals and connection with the audience especially when he was playing such massive hits . I’ve just received my copy of Daryl’s new album and I think it already will win the award for the worst album sleeve of the year with just a large copy of his signature with a Capital D . It just looks naff plus whose idea was it to put line after line of Daryl’s name against an instrument he played in the album instead of grouping the instruments together ? I’ve never seen this on ANY other album and I own thousands of them . Too early for me to leave my review on the music on this new solo album by Daryl but I was impressed enough by the music videos from said album on RU-vid to buy it I think it’s terribly sad to see Daryl taking chunks out of his very long standing partner John Oates and it would seem theres no way back for them getting back together again . Any finally …..I was shocked but not surprised with how much those tickets were for this concert in Las Vegas . America We have the same problems here in UK especially for large venues like The 02 and Wembley Stadium in London and yet I’ve just seen Bryan Adams at Dreamland , Margate ,Kent for under £60 and was in touching distance of him . Btw Bryan Adams DID make a connection with the audience even when it was raining and both he and his brilliant guitarist Keith Scott came out on the ramp and front of stage plenty of times and didn’t let the weather affect them . Plus I’ve never seen so many guitar plectrums thrown into the crowd as was at this excellent fun entertaining concert . So in short ….if you get the chance to see Bryan Adams in concert then take it as you won’t be disappointed plus his voice is just as good as EVER !

Elvis Costello the opener for Daryle Hall?

We go to a lot of rock gigs in town and find that crowds in LV are generally very lame. They mostly sit, complain when others do not. If you're too old or too hammered to stand or are unable to appreciate that others may wish to stand, then don''t go. These are rock shows. It's a real fucking problem. Appreciate your reviews though. Elvis can be a bit of a bore, for sure. Daryl is fine. We were in town for this one but decided to skip it.

Wow

Vegas is not an Elvis Costello town. He played Detroit last night and rocked the place. I thought Darryl Hall was a snooze.

So tired of hearing about Daryl yelling at the sound people. Maybe if the idiots did their job correctly, he wouldn't be mad. He wants the perfection that he & his audience deserves. If someone can't do a job they need to go. Unfortunately for Daryl this keeps happening live. I know that would put me in a horrible place to keep singing & performing. As far as the audience not getting up & dancing or being more animated-when you have the security constantly telling you to sit down, well that is the problem. It was the theatre seating arrangement, not Daryl's fault they weren't up. And bringing up the current suit Daryl is in is all Oates fault. You don't breach a legal contract. What does that have to do with his tour? Nothing, this is your opinion but your feeding into a character attack with something entirely different to justify your video................

Thank you Joe.

Great review. Thanks for that.

It’s not Ticketmaster. The ticket price goes to the artist. The fees are partially Ticketmaster, the promoter, and the venue. Nobody is doing concerts for the good of the public. It’s a business. I’ve seen both Elvis and Daryl many times. This is a bad pairing even though they recorded a song together back in the day.

Yes! the pulling back from the mic that Daryl does can ruin a song.

Not true Elvis Costello fans , not known for hits 😂😂

Vegas soccer moms and casuals want the hits and chairs .. Elvis > Darryl Hall solo anyday .

Totally agree. Not impressed with the venue at all. Felt like I was in a big barn with bad acoustics. Neither singer seemed to be able to engage the crowd. Love both singers but very disappointing show.

I appreciate your honest review. Daryl is not the same singer as he was during - Live from Daryl's House - best 10+ years ago. Age has firmly taken a hold of his once pristine voice. Also detest his legal blocking of John Oates's desire to cash out. I believe he'll regret it one day.

I hate ticketmaster. I have hated ticket master for as long as I remember!

Looked like a killer set list, 2 bad, maybe he misses John!

Hall looks like Steve Bannon 😂

Darryl had such an amazing voice but the last few years have not been kind to him. Time to give it up

Umm, I couldn't care less about LasVegas venues. The cafeteria seating is common and yes it is crap. Also audiences in Vegas are garbage...really the dregs of humanity. Regarding the performers. At the Radio City Music Hall concert people were there for Costello. It was blatantly obvious. And his set was magnificent. He doesn't do the same show every night. So what if he doesn't have many hits. The passion is still there. He cares. Venue was pretty full and it seats thousands. Venue thinned for Hall and there were many walkouts. Doesn't matter if the voice is weaker. If there is passion you can work through that. There was no passion. He comes across as bitter and uncommunicative. Disagree on Ticketmaster. No one is forcing you to go. In NYC we pay the $40 fee on $500 tickets and don't care. You got cheap tix but Ticketmaster needs those fees to operate. For every ticket. It doesn't matter what the base ticket price is. They have a huge staff, provide excellent service and are super easy on resales.

You know nothing about Elvis Costello or his music.

LOL Elvis had waaaaay more hits than Hall & Oates.

To much commentary, just show the show bro...

Saw the Toronto show. Hall was terrible. He should have opened for Elvis.

Sounds like a poor combo and bad value for money. I think Hall is past his best vocally. One to avoid. Thanks for your honesty.

He seems to be flat at a lot of his concerts now I think it’s time for him to stop. He seems to always blame the sound people, but I think it’s him.

It's flat as in lowered the keys to the songs.creating a wrong vibe. Sadly my hero vocalist has past his best

Sorry but I didn’t like your review..too much time spent the describing a venue I will never attend, so I don’t care..Secondly you never mention the bands..How was the music, any standout solos, any members that stood out to you..Charlie Sexton is playing with EC and you never mentioned his presence..glen

These guys are old. What do you expect?

Saw daryl in boston with todd sound sucked all nite seams like a constant problem how about new sound guys or systemaybe

Most of the reviews are similar to yours

Had to get a buzz just to not walk out. So disappointing. Elvis Costello wasn’t in sync with the band. Drinks were as expensive as my ticket. A total waste of money and time.😢

Joe you are right about Ticketmaster charging unreasonable fees and stealing from everyone. We need leadership that is not for sale to mobsters and criminals who they serve above their constituency, Vegas is also a terrible rip off because the money you bring to Vegas stays in Vegas. You should see musical performances where the music matters - Vegas ain't that place. Unfortunately neither is this RU-vid channel or your ability to adequately write a coherent music review with any insight or understanding of the artists or their repertoires, of which you are wholly unprepared to comment. Stick to the artists you know, understand well, and prefer. Skip the rest when it comes to expressing your personal opinions to the devoted fans who know very well is not an honest review, its an opinion, we all have one, and you're the only one who cares about yours. It simply does not matter to actual fans in the audience.💣

Elvis Costello bores me to tears.

Sorry you had to go to a crappy venue, poor you. Probably was reimbursed for you $$$

EC can't sing in time.

saw costello and nick lowe. who blew him off the stage. Costello did long solos and forgettable songs. But love EC's early albums

Saw both in WA state a few weeks ago and it was garbage