Fan report and photos by Ulrick Garde.

Friday the 10th of December 2010 was the beginning of a great and special weekend to come. I was attending my around 30th live show with Sir Elton John & the day after my girlfriend turned 30.

It was the first time for me to see Elton & Ray Cooper perform together which took place at Malmö Arena in south of Sweden. As this part of Sweden connects Denmark with a bridge and as we live in Copenhagen it was easy and quick to get to the venue.

Both the venue and the surroundings were really nice. With seats on the 3rd row just in front of Elton’s piano this could only be an awesome evening for my girlfriend and me - and it was!

Elton entered the stage 7.30 PM sharp in a black suit with blue shirt and blue glasses, and started out his solo part with "The One". His voice was clear and sharp, and I still think it keeps getting better. The audience was pretty lazy which was to my disappointment but I tried all I could to higher the atmosphere, and it did get better!

When Elton finished his solo part he started playing "Funeral For A Friend" and Ray Cooper came onstage and then the two men lifted the arena more and more. The way Ray Cooper plays percussion fits so very well to Elton’s songs and really puts that extra into them. There were several highlight during the show but especially "Indian Sunset" and "When Love Is Dying" sounded awesome!

After "Don´t Let The Sun Go Down On Me" I was ready to rush to the stage and was lucky to get there almost first right in front of Elton. I got lots of great photos and being so close to the stage and the two gentlemen was a very unique experience.

When Elton did his solo in "Bennie and the Jets" he played a part of "Jingle Bells" in it to great appreciation from the audience. After having played "Crazy Water" which I really enjoyed as he never plays that live he spend around 5-7 minutes signing all kind of items from the people close to the stage.

I got my tour book signed and found out Elton signed did it upside down so that is a new version of his signature I happily will add to my collection. When Elton was standing in front of me I thanked him for a wonderful show and asked if I could shake his hand. He said "thank you" and shook mine. That was cool!

At the end he thanked the audience for loyalty and support during his carrier and wished us all a happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. After having played the last track "Candle In The Wind" he left the stage.

It was certainly a night to remember, and I do really hope that I will be able to see a show like this again! It was worth every Swedish Krone, and I can only thank Elton John & Ray Cooper for giving me another great memory in the world of music!

Following is the complete set list of the Malmö show on December 10, 2010.

Elton solo
• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• When Love Is Dying
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Nikita
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)
  
• Philladelphia Freedom
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton with Ray Cooper
  
• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone to Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna 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 solo
  
• Candle In The Wind

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