Farewell Yellow Brick Road is more than just an opportunity to see the greatest living musical artist play, it’s your final chance to watch the Rocketman ascend into the sunset.
To use one word to sum up how we feel as we walk out of Elton John’s final (ever) Christchurch concert, it’s: gratitude.
Gratitude for the opportunity to farewell a legend who still pushes the piano keys like no other. Whose voice is still so rich with gravitas. Who’s stage presence still commands a 40,000 packed out Orangetheory Stadium, and whips them in frenzy with the opening bars of ‘Crocodile Rock’.
For Elton one of the most challenging aspects of this tour must have been selecting the setlist. Opening with the iconic chords of ‘Bennie & The Jetts’ was obviously essential, sending an electric wave (some might call it a wall of sound) through the sell-out crowd.
While ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ and ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues’ assure everyone is singing the top of their lungs, the inclusion of ‘Border Song’, ‘Take Me To The Pilot’ and ‘Burn Down The Mission’ has die hards rejoicing.
Dead on twilight in our open-air setting, ‘Sad Songs (Say So Much)’ gets everyone dancing and the show’s impressive lighting comes to life – later bathing the floor seats in a wave of rainbow for ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’.
A belted rendition of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ highlights what fine form Elton’s voice remains in, before ‘I’m Still Standing’ serves as a worthy finale after he individually introduces and thanks every member of his touring band (legendary percussionist Ray Cooper receives one of the biggest ovations of the night).
But before truly saying farewell, Elton has a hell of an encore up his sleeve. Returning to the stage in a plush silk robe – he surprises some by launching into his most recent number one, Dua Lipa duet, ‘Cold Heart’.
To finish, he takes us back to where it all started with early signatures ‘Your Song’ and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.’ As Elton gives Christchurch one final wave, after congratulating the city on its resilience, we look around at the crowd – some are crying, some are dancing, but everyone is singing those timeless hits that have kept us high as kites since 1969.
Thank you Elton for letting us say one final farewell.
