Elbow outside The Lowry arts centre at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, 2001.
Music

Elbow Announce Exclusive Manchester Gigs for 'Asleep In The Back' 25th Anniversary

Guy Garvey confirms three rare hometown dates where the band will play their iconic 2001 debut album in full.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 1 min read

British rock outfit Elbow are gearing up to celebrate a major milestone in their career. Frontman Guy Garvey has confirmed the group will revisit their seminal debut record, *Asleep In The Back*, with a trio of intimate anniversary gigs in their hometown of Manchester. The special performances will take place at the Manchester Ritz across three consecutive nights, running from November 20 to November 22. Fans attending the run can expect the band to play the 2001 LP in its entirety, alongside a selection of rare B-sides recorded during the same era. Speaking about the decision to limit the performances to a brief residency rather than launching a massive global trek, Garvey explained that the group aimed to keep the experience exclusive. He noted that the band wanted the intimate venue setting to feel truly special for dedicated supporters taking a multi-decade trip down memory lane. ## Where are Elbow playing Asleep In The Back 25th anniversary shows? Originally arriving in 2001 via the revived V2 record label, *Asleep In The Back* launched Elbow into the national spotlight. The project peaked at Number 14 on the UK albums chart and scored the group their initial Mercury Prize nomination. While they missed out on the trophy that year to PJ Harvey's acclaimed *Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea*, Elbow later captured the prestigious award in 2008 for their breakthrough LP *The Seldom Seen Kid*. The debut record earned critical acclaim upon release, drawing flattering comparisons to alt-rock giants like Radiohead and being hailed as a defining early-millennium release for the Manchester music scene. ## What songs will Elbow play at the Manchester Ritz shows? Alongside the main tracklist of *Asleep In The Back*, Garvey revealed the upcoming setlists will highlight hard-to-find tracks from the band's earliest era. By keeping the shows confined to the Manchester Ritz, the group hopes to create a nostalgic atmosphere specifically tailored for long-term fans who have followed their journey from the very beginning.

The photos · 3

Elbow outside The Lowry arts centre at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, 2001.
Elbow outside The Lowry arts centre at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, 2001.
Elbow, 2024.

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People also ask

When are Elbow's Asleep In The Back 25th anniversary shows?
Elbow will play three consecutive nights at the Manchester Ritz from November 20 to November 22.
What album did Elbow release in 2001?
Elbow released their debut studio album, 'Asleep In The Back', in 2001. The record reached Number 14 in the UK and earned a Mercury Prize nomination.