Truly an icon of music, Sir Elton John reminded Brisbane one final time of his alluring majesty as one of the greatest songwriters and showman of all time.
On a classic Brisbane summer's evening (21 January), the palpable energy zinging around the Caxton Street precinct and the grounds outside Suncorp Stadium was as delicious to savour as it is was intoxicating with the knowledge Elton would be gracing an Australian stage for the final time, ever.Part of the global Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour (that commenced in 2018 and wraps up later this year after a final tour of the UK and Europe with his last performance scheduled for Glastonbury), it was Elton's 36th concert in Queensland and the final Australian performance of 230-plus gigs he's played here since he first began touring down under in the early 1970s.
One reason for Elton's enduring popularity across five-plus decades is revealed by the broad mix of people of all ages flowing into Suncorp Stadium. From family groups featuring three generations to those indulging in an extravagant date night to pure music lovers bopping along by themselves, the collective love for Elton is universal.
Image © Markus Ravik
Commencing the nearly two-hour concert with the Pnau collab 'Good Morning To The Night' (from the 2012 remix album of the same name) as the band entered the massive stage, Elton had captured everyone's attention with the first piano notes from 'Bennie And The Jets' (from the 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' album) ringing out, and he'd hold it for the 23-song set list (across two hours of performance).
'Philadelphia Freedom', 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' and 'Border Song' (which was lovingly dedicated to Aretha Franklin, as Elton shared a story about Aretha performing her final concert at John's annual AIDs Foundation gala in New York City in 2017, blowing the roof off the venue just months before the Queen of Soul died) followed seamlessly, showcasing Elton's ability to pull at heart strings with blues-soul tones.
When 'Tiny Dancer' enters the equation, the crowd erupts in gleeful joy many rising from their seats to dance in what becomes a familiar response throughout the night.
The track also highlights just how many bangers Elton has bestowed the world. Tracks like 'Tiny Dancer' and 'Rocket Man' (which both received special arrangements compared to their originals), plus 'Levon', 'Candle In The Wind', 'Crocodile Rock' and 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' have soundtracked my own life, and judging by the blissed-out faces of those around me, countless other Elton hits have found special meaning for many, many Australian fans.
Image © Markus Ravik
Another endearing quality of the concert was Elton's love for the crowd and those who have supported him across 50-plus years of performance. After each song, he'd rise from his stool in front of his Yamaha piano, acknowledge portions of the audience, point to the mega fans in the front rows and generally soak in all the feels the massive crowd was feeding him.
While he told us he was retiring from performing live, he'll continue to "make records and enjoy hanging out at home with his family". He also told the crowd to "be kind to each other, love each other". Bless.
As the concert of mega hits continued, Elton decides to bring the party asking "shall we have a dance" prior to 'The Bitch Is Back', which was preceded by more restrained numbers but equally classic Elton: 'Sad Songs (Say So Much)', 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' and 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'.
Concluding the main concert with 'Crocodile Rock' and 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' (the latter the perfect rock-out song to perform on a Saturday night, and the crowd knew it!), Elton and his band departed before returning for the obligatory encore that began with Elton's most recent #1 hit, 2021's 'Cold Heart' (featuring Dua Lipa), the Pnau-produced track mashing together a number of his hits including 'Rocket Man'. "I can't tell you how good it feels to have a hit single at 75," he says.
Image © Markus Ravik
The second final song of the night is also Elton's very first hit single, recorded some 50 years earlier, with the delicate and beautiful 'Your Song' entrancing the massive crowd before 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' signals the end of the concert and as the final notes play out, Elton disrobed his diamante-embroidered kimono to reveal a black tracksuit with green-yellow-red trim bearing his name on the back, wandered towards the back of the stage where he entered a cherry-picker and was raised into the ether of the stage.
The perfect send-off for the perfect showman.
