Elton John

It isn’t every day that a Watford fan is welcomed at Plymouth Argyles Home Park, but one of their biggest supporters Elton John – was welcomed with open arms when he performed a two-and-a-half hour concert on Saturday evening. Music fans packed the venue to see the superstar, who dazzled the audience with his diamond covered black jacket, as he performed hit after hit. The Rocketman has come a long way since his very first album, Empty Sky was released in 1969, and has since gone on to sell more than 250 million albums. During his mammoth set he performed some of his early tracks including Tiny Dancer, from the album, Madman Across the Water, Daniel, from Don’t Shoot me I’m Only the Piano Player, and Bennie and the Jets, from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, much to the delight of the crowd. The showman also played some of his more recent material including The Bridge, from the 2006 album The Captain and the Kid. However it was his huge hits that really got the crowd rocking! – The Disco-esque pop song, Are You Ready for Love, went down a storm and everyone was up dancing in the aisles to the smash-hit. Crocodile Rock was another highlight of the night. The terraces sang along with the fun chorus, it was great to hear the whole audience get into the spirit of it all.Fast tracks, Philadelphia Freedom and I’m Still Standing, also got their crowd on the feet.Ballads such as Sacrifice, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word and Something About The Way You Looked Tonight were also well received.

However what let the concert down was the atmosphere at the start, it didn’t really get going until about 40 minutes into the performance. It was only as it got darker that and the fantastic light display and huge animated backdrop kicked in that everybody got into the spirit of things…then there was no stopping them and the flamboyant singer/songwriter left them wanting more. After rocking Home Park with Saturday Night, the megastar stopped for about ten minutes to sign autographs for those lucky enough to have front row seats. This is something that rarely happens at gig and was a great touch. Elton then went on to finish his performance with the classic, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on me, and the beautiful track Your Song. There is no doubt about it, Elton is a showman and knows how to entertain. He was helped along the way be an amazing team of musicians who were note perfect throughout.           It’s been 25 years since Elton came to Plymouth; lets hope its not another 25 years before he returns – as he is truly an icon of today.

                                                                  Review - Dawn Ellis  Courtesy - Mid Devon Advertiser (Tindle Newspapers)