Philadelphia – Farewells can be painful. But Elton John is ensuring that fans enjoy a number of classics from his vast catalog as he gracefully and enthusiastically closes up his incredible career.Before the sun fell on Friday at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, a beaming John and his iconic band took the stage. More than two hours and 23 songs later, the first performance of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour's final U.S. leg was a footnote in history.
The concert also served as the beginning of the tour's stadium leg, which will end in Los Angeles in November before returning to Europe for its final leg. The world was very different in 2018 when John launched the show in Allentown, Pennsylvania, so it feels like another lifetime has passed since he started on his protracted and winding farewell.But he's still captivating both millennial newbies and Baby Boomer aficionados, a refreshing range of ages visible among the over 40,000 people in the sold-out audience.John revealed during the encore that he was performing "Cold Cold Heart," his collaboration with Dua Lipa (who made an appearance on video), along with his first-ever number-one single from 1971, the eminently timeless "Your Song," with a hint of bashful incredulity.
It is a commendable accomplishment that is incredibly unlikely to be repeated.Behind his black Yamaha grand piano, John, dressed in a bejeweled white tuxedo, black slacks, and lavender-framed spectacles, seemed energized and content throughout the entire night. The famous plinking notes of "Bennie and the Jets" opened the hit parade, which was then followed by the jangly riff of "Philadelphia Freedom," which was lazily unfurled by guitarist Davey Johnstone.Between songs, John, 75, was charmingly hammy, getting up from his piano stool to wave and smile at the audience while mouthing his appreciation. He also led a concert that seemed quick but never monotonous.
John mostly sounded strong, adding vocal embellishments to the end of an easy-swinging "I guess that's why they call it the blues," and injecting "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" with emphatic emotion. Some songs, like "I'm Still Standing" and "Tiny Dancer," had noticeably lower keys to suit John's current range.
There were many good points on this trip down nostalgic lane. The ever-ethereal "Rocket Man" video's hazy effects provided a gauzy layer as the dreamy chorus transitioned into an extended piano coda. One of John's underappreciated masterpieces with lyricist Bernie Taupin, "Levon," built to a gospel brawl before resolving into the melody. A masterclass in musicianship continues to be the sweeping instrumental "Funeral for a Friend," a musical explosion that melts into "Love Lies Bleeding."Although John's bandmates never acquired a nickname like the E Street Band, they have always been an essential component of his live performances. Many have shared stages with the maestro since the first performances, including the elegant drummer Nigel Olsson (with his signature gloves, headphones, and pink pocket square in his suit), the gem that is percussionist Ray Cooper, and the unique Johnstone.
John Mahon, a percussionist, Kim Bullard, a keyboardist, and Matt Bissonnette, a bassist, all contribute musical flair, and John expressed how much he has enjoyed playing with this trio.Given the number of performances they've played, their tautness was expected, but the band also leaned into a few set list surprises.
This year saw the debut of the upbeat "All the Girls Love Alice" single from 1973's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album (John did unearth the album track during many pre-pandemic farewell dates). More shockingly, John's 1972 homage to New York City, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," which he hasn't performed live since his 2018 Las Vegas run, made its tour premiere. As always, it was magical.
The singer expressed his profound gratitude to the crowd and wished them "health, happiness, and prosperity" as the performance drew to a close and fans realized that their time in John's circle was coming to an end.
John then opened "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," his exquisite meditation on life in transition and the perfect summation of a career that will always be cherished, as he has done throughout the tour.
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