Fan report by Sacha Wicki. Photo by Laurent Guiraud.

Finally ... Elton John came to Geneva! After two postponed dates (the first one because of logistical problems, and the second one because of a flu), the pop legend is here! And the last time he performed in the “Arena” was in 1998.

This was really an incredible show! My parents, a very good friend, and me, we attended the Geneva Arena Elton John & Ray Cooper gig on May 26, 2011 and we just couldn’t believe our eyes and specially our ears! We were on 7th row center, and we could really have a great view on the stage. Elton John arrived at exactly 8 pm, as announced on the tickets. And after the Aida “Orchestral Finale” – that I haven’t heard for a long time – he sat at his piano, wearing a superb black ensemble with diamonds on the back of his jacket and a beautiful magenta skirt. “The One” opened the solo part of the show. The first thing that we noticed immediately is his voice: absolutely clear and powerful, which is going to be the same for the whole concert!

“Good evening Geneva, it’s great to be here. Now I have a baby and I am fine!” says Elton laughing, just before announcing a song from the Elton John album: “Sixty Years On”. Then he performed without saying anything two more songs from the same disc, “The Greatest Discovery” (which I am sure he sang with emotional thoughts to his son) and “Border Song”.

The only song from “Songs from the West Coast” was “Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes” (too bad he dropped “The Emperor’s New Clothes”). “And now, a new song from the lastest album “The Union” that I did with my hero, Leon Russell” Elton introduced us to this beautiful moving dark ballad “When Love Is Dying”. I almost had tears, it was very emotional.

Three big classics: A very bluesy powerful version of “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues”, a superb long version of “Rocket Man” and a big hit in Switzerland which gained a lot of applause as soon as he sang the first words, “Nikita”. Another new song, “Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)”, again very moving, so was the next one, an all-time favourite, “Tiny Dancer”.

The next-to-last song of the first part was a surprise, it was a long time ago since I hard this great track solo in concert, “Philadelphia Freedom”, and to finish, after Elton thanked for his swiss fans’ loyalty, “Your Song”.

The second part – with the genious of percussionist Ray Cooper – was tremendous! After the piano intro “Funeral for a Friend”, it was the “Blue Moves” song “Tonight”. We came back to “Captain Fantastic” with the dynamic “Better Off Dead” in which Ray Cooper did a fantastic job.

The first huge knock-out I had during the concert was with “Levon” ... that version was with no doubt the best he did for a long time ... what a powerful rendition! Back to emotion with probably the best “Union” song, “Gone To Shiloh”. Elton sang of course the three verses, and specially Neil Young’s high notes. Beautiful in every way! So was “Indian Sunset”, for me one of Elton’s most unknown treasures. And the funny “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself”. Then, two seventies-ballads, “Daniel” – with a curious intro that made me think it was “Take me to the Pilot”! – and “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word”.

Now, Ladies and Gentlemen ... the pinnacle of the show! A 14-minute long version of “Take Me to the Pilot” ... yes, you read correctly: 14 minutes! A piano intro that went from jazz-style to R’n’B with some classic and rock parts ... it was my twenty-sixth Elton John show, it’s the first time I heard this from him! With no doubt, he was in a perfect and joyable mood. Many standing ovations after some songs, and long applauses, although the audience was kind of “cold” ... something that always bothers me – also the people who come to the show 15 or 20 minutes after it began!

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” was dedidated to her friend Caroline, from Chopard. Then with “Bennie and the Jets” all the fans rushed in front of the stage and enjoyed with noise the next song too, “Crazy Water”. After a long autographs session, he finished this unbelievable show with “Candle in the Wind”.

Since 1992, I saw Elton in Paris, in Berlin, in Lausanne, in Verona, in Zurich ... twenty-six concerts! Tonight, I saw the best concert I ever attended! Nothing to say, a perfect performance in all ways ! Thank you Elton and Ray for giving us the best night you could give us!

Following is the complete set list of the Geneva show on May 26, 2011:

Elton John solo

• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• When Love is Dying
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Nikita
  
• Never Too Old (To Love Somebody)
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton John with Ray Cooper
  
• Funeral for a Friend/Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone To Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
  
• Take Me to the Pilot
  
• Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Bennie and the Jets
  
• Crazy Water
  
  Elton John solo
  
• Candle in the Wind

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