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With over 300 million in record sales, it’s fitting the 'Farewell the Yellow Brick Road Tour' has some 300 dates and that’s not the only nod to a stellar 50+ year career. The stage has been transformed into a giant gilded portal, highlighting some of John’s most treasured memories and achievements; from working with the likes of John Lennon, musicals he’s written, album artwork and of course, the charity work he champions.
Elton emerges from the shadows and struts on stage with the confidence you would expect of a cultural icon. The crowd showers him with affection as he takes his seat and pounds out the unmistakable first keys for the opening number B-B-B- ”BENNIE AND THE JETS”.
The piano is akin to a rocket ship and John is at the controls. A huge floor to ceiling screen envelopes the band and provides a stunning visual narrative to accompany some of the songs, while live shots of Elton and the band fill the space between. Standouts of this are “Candle In The Wind” featuring David LaChappelle’s film, depicting Marilyn Monroe’s final photoshoot, “Burn Down The Mission” where the song closes out while the piano bursts into flames, a delightfully camp “The Bitch is Back”. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” has what can only be best described as a fever-dream/acid trip cartoon featuring a 70’s era Elton doing a bunch of really trippy shit and getting stuck in a pinball machine. I get that it’s a metaphor on how his life has spiraled into chaos, but sign me up!
Undoubtedly one of the best moments of my life is being at this concert and screaming “HOLD ME CLOSER TONY DANZA”, but there were a few moments throughout this nearly 3 hour epic where I felt genuinely overwhelmed. The first came just after Ray Cooper went ham on the congas during a solo on “Indian Sunset”. His vigorous primal beating of the drums and roars of pure emotion were the perfect contrast to the cosmic dance that soared across the screen, while Elton wowed the crowd with the perennial favourite “Rocketman”. The feels kept coming with “I Want Love” and John speaking of his AIDS foundation and the devastation of the epidemic through the 80’s & 90’s. Then, of course, came the encore.
One thing a 72 year old performer brings is an equally aging crowd but those who could were up and shuffling as the main set wrapped up with “I’m Still Standing”, “Crocodile Rock” and "Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”. After briefly leaving the stage after what seemed like an endless stream of deep album cuts, classic hits and standing ovations, John reappeared with Golden Globe in hand to thank his long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin and deliver a heartfelt rendition of “Your Song”. Visibly emotional, Elton once again turned to the audience to express his love for Australia and its people, announcing a $1M donation towards bushfire relief. He said “To see this happening here breaks my heart… and I love Australia so much… and to those who have lost their homes, I want to say God bless, I hope your lives will be repaired soon”. Finally, with a lump in their collective throats, the adoring crowd remained on their feet for the “Yellow Brick Road” grand finale. Waving goodbye for the last time as he left his piano, Elton ascended up the portal and stepped through to the other side.