November 28, 2012 20:00

Elbow confirm 'gap year' hiatus and debut new song

The band have been playing new track 'Challenge' on their current arena tour

Photo Gallery: Elbow
Photo: Tim Cochrane

Elbow have confirmed that they will be taking a musical hiatus.

During the band's gig at Nottingham's Capital FM Arena earlier this week (November 26), frontman Guy Garvey told the crowd: "We're taking a gap year."

During the set, reports the Worksop Guardian, Elbow also debuted a new song which they played again last night (November 27) at Wembley Arena. "At the moment it's called 'Challenge'," said Garvey. Scroll down to watch fan-shot footage of the song.

Garvey recently spoke to The Sun and talked about a possible break for the band.

He said: "We've got our arena tour this November and December, which will be like a farewell party. We've already done six songs for the next album, then we'll come back to finish it next year."

The frontman is taking a break from Elbow for most of 2013 to concentrate on writing music for a new stage musical adaptation of King Kong, after he was asked to join the writing team by Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja.

"As soon as the tour ends I'm off to New York for six months. Where better to write songs for a King Kong musical than the place it's set?"

Elbow play Birmingham NIA tonight (November 28) and then Liverpool's Echo Area on November 29, before heading to their Manchester hometown on December 1. They will finish up at London's The O2 on December 2.

To check the availability of Elbow tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook