Elvis Costello unleashes his inner-showman at the Wynn Encore Theater. (Photo: Mary McCartney)

Elvis Costello will mount a new show, “Now/Not Now,” at the Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore Theater beginning Feb. 28th. The shows are currently  far Costello’s only scheduled dates for 2018.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters’ “Now/Not Now” will see the live debut of new songs but also mark a return to what Costello has called the “Hits & Headlines/Waifs & Strays,” which means culling from the best-loved songs from his extensive repertoire. A portion of the set will change from night to night, with perennial favorites from albums such as My Aim Is True or Blood & Chocolate in addition to more recent titles and personal narratives lending an intimate feel in the  2,788-capacity Encore venue.

This year saw Elvis Costello conclude his highly acclaimed solo show, “Detour” with a final European run before being joined by the Imposters for “Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers,” a tour that played across North America during the summer of 2017.

The Wynn Las Vegas performances will be on:
Wed., Feb 28th

Fri., March 2nd
Sat., March 3rd
Wed., March 7th
Fri., March 9th
Sat., March 10th

Costello has also set a slate of special appearances for the rest of 2017: October 18, NYC – Little Kids Rock Benefit, Honoring Elvis Costello; October 22, Austin, TX – Solo! For the Benefit of The Musician Treatment Foundation; November 6, Montreal, Quebec, Canada — “Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen.”

A brand new Elvis Costello composition, “You Shouldn’t Look At Me That Way” will be heard in the upcoming Sony Pictures Classics release Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, starring Annette Bening and Jamie Bell, with music supervision by Ian Neil.

Tickets for the Las Vegas show go on sale Friday, Oct. 20.  The Imposters are bassist Davey Faragher along with original Attractions members, drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve. They will be joinied by vocalists Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee.

The signature rock and soul rave-up style of the Elvis and the Imposters prompted the Baltimore Sun to write that “Live, he [treats his] songs as organic, dynamic vehicles, and shown himself unafraid to rearrange, reorchestrate and reimagine even his most popular hits.”

Pollstar reports Vegas remains a sizzling music destination, the Encore is very busy, with Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., Alabama, John Fogerty and The Moody Blues all scheduled to play the theater. Elton John is finishing up a residency at neon city’s Colosseum at Caesars Palace, starting April 28-29. The shows continue for just under a month, ending May 17-19.