Elvis Costello, Waterfront Hall

It's thirty years since I first saw the new Elvis live on stage, several continents away during the punk era at the Melbourne Concert Hall — a very similar style of venue to the Waterfront.

Since then his oeuvre has developed and expanded while other punk heroes have passed on or passed away.

With his band The Attractions he was stunning then and he was still stunning on Friday night.

He took us on a musical journey through his back catalogue and quite a few belonging to others as well.

We moved through Vaudeville, early rock n roll (with a nod to film noir in a stripped down version of Watching the Detectives), past Charles Aznavour with Costello's wonderful version of She and some nostalgic community singing featuring Van Morrison's Jackie Wilson.

Elvis was obviously enjoying himself. “Ah, you know that one.”

What shines through still from this modern troubadour poet is the quality of his words and that amazing voice that, if anything, has become better with age.

It still only takes his little fingers to blow you away.

The third encore, his magnificent and evocative Shipbuilding — in this of all cities — brought the house to its knees and then on to its feet.

Oh, and he promised to come back next year with a few friends.

Now where did those three decades go? I'm sure I put them down a few minutes ago.