I’ve been to a lot of concerts over the years, but never one in a professional football team’s stadium. Thus I approached going to Charlotte with my husband and my kids for the Elton John concert last week with trepidation. This is Elton’s last concert tour (called Follow the Yellow Brick Road tour), and that man must have the constitution of an ox! Hew’s 75 years old! And he is on tour, except for brief breaks over the holidays, until next July!
I apologize for my own photos – so hard to get anything in that arena!
The Bank of America stadium holds about 75,000 people and I think, given they had to block off the seats to the back and the far sides of the stage, there were at least 65,000 fans there. Our seats were on the field and far enough away that the people on the stage looked small, but there were two enormous screens at the front that projected Elton and his band, along with some fabulous graphics.
The noise from the crowd singing and dancing along was loud, but the sound system was great so we could hear everything. Sequins and boas and red and blue flashing glasses worn by the attendees were the most interesting part of the night. Elton, as has become his current tradition, wore a very fancy (but conservative for him) tux-like jacket with lots of beading. He changed into another one midway through the concert.
We were treated to almost all of his most loved songs along with some newer ones and some incredibly riffing on the part of his guitarists and percussionist as well as the man himself on the piano. Think: Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, I guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, I’m Still Standing, The Bitch Is Back, Crocodile Rock, Candle In The Wind, Bennie And The Jets, Tiny Dancer, and my very favorite, Rocket Man. Elton played for TWO solid hours, which I know from attending another of his concerts in the 1980s at a much smaller venue, is his want. At the end, he sang a Rocket Man mash-up with Dua Lipa who appeared on video.
A long encore followed, when he reappeared in a bathrobe and sat at his piano again.
The concert ended with him being raised up on a platform to disappear into the gloom, only to reappear on the screen in graphic form, walking down a yellow brick road.
Elton John will definitely be missed from the live music arena, but it’s more than time for him to take a final in-person bow and receive the admiration of his fans, owing to his age. He’s been singing for more than fifty years! however, he will still be composing and making albums for us.
Might I have liked a smaller venue? Probably. But the music and the crowd and the graphics made the concert a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you want to see this concert for yourself but don’t want to pay the ticket price, Disney+ will broadcast an exclusive livestream of Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium on Nov. 20. But it won’t be the same…
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One of those experiences you’ll never forget! The size of the crowd will have contributed to the atmosphere and I must confess to feeling rather envious!
The crowd was an experience – totally unlike one at a football game!
How wonderful! Saw him back in the 70s and was pleased with my money’s worth. He IS, after all, Elton John and there will never be another.
You are absolutely right!
I fear the last two times we’ve seen him over the last five or so years it’s clear that, as with Paul McCartney his voice isn’t what it used to be. But still not bad for 75 after the life he’s led. And his presence is still formidable. Glad you enjoyed it.
His voice was amazingly strong and definitely on key. I think the tour stops serve to strengthen it. He is one in a million.
Looks and sounds like quite an experience. Friends saw him, I think as part of the same tour, in Liverpool and had an amazing time. I remember listening to Rocket Man on a tinny-sounding transister radio doing my paper round in the ’70s…
I think Rocket Man was the hit of the night! Everyone was singing along!
A great opportunity to enjoy seeing a Unique showman in action. I’m so glad you had a good time an didn’t miss it Noelle.
That’s the word! He was born to be a showman!
What a wonderful experience. I’ve been a fan of his since he started singing! I just love his music. And he’s such a good person. I’m so envious that you got to see him live.!! Thanks so much for sharing this experience with us.
You’re welcome. He is one in a million.
How wonderful, Noelle. Definitely something to remember. Hugs on the wing.
Oh, how fun! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time, Noelle, and that he played all those classics. I like Elton John, and his albums were among the first I purchased as a young teen. I know the lyrics and would have been singing along too. Lol. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
The whole place was singing along and sometimes you could hear us!
Did you see the video of his receipt of the US Medal of Honor from Biden? He was so emotional. It was lovely.
I missed that – I’m sure the offer of the medal got him to the White House. He is not a Biden fan, but you can’t say no to the President.
Apparently he performed at the Whitehouse and it was a total surprise, which was why he was so choked up. Worth watching. He was honored for his work fighting aids and for his courage in standing up for LGBTQ rights.
Fantastic, I can imagine it must have been an incredible show ~ he is one of the best!
Lucky! I love Elton John.
We’ve seen him twice in concert – once during his flamboyant years!
How great that you were able to be there! It’s crazy that he’s still doing shows like this!
This is his last tour, and I hope he makes it to the end. He deserves a rest! But it’s clear he LOVES performing.
Amazing.
It’s a shame when the legends step down but you are right.. he’s certainly earned some rest. ❤️
Sounds like you had a very special time at the concert, memories to cherish.
It was pretty overwhelming, to tell the truth, but I can always listen to Elton!
How truly amazing, Noelle. Just, wow… I’m so glad you got to attend this. I’ve always loved Elton too, but until I read this post, I seemed to have forgotten just how much. So many wonderful songs. “Daniel” was always one of my favorites, it moved me emotionally even before I could say why. “Your Song” is one of my favorites for karaoke. By the way, your photos were great. Hugs on the wing.
Thanks, Teagan. My daughter and her husband bought us the tickets last Christmas, as soon as they went on sale. They were not inexpensive, but I’d say really worth it!
Hi Noelle – I’ve been an Elton John fan since I was about 13 years old and still listen to his music, especially from his earlier albums. I love Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer! Looks like a great experience and kudos to Elton John for performing for 2 hours. I love the encore in a bathrobe!
There are so many of his songs that I like. Rocket Man is a favorite along with Bennie and the Jets!
Oh yes, that’s a great one too! He and Bernie Taupin were a great combo.