Fan report and photos by Darren George.

Last night was my 13th Elton John concert and well what can I say, for a man of 61 he is showing no sign of slowing down. Two hours and 45 minutes non-stop hit after hit Elton and the band were in fine form pounded out 38 years worth of music. He packed out the Sydney Entertainment Center for the 41st time holding the record for most concerts by an artist, beating John Farnham’s record back in 2006.

Not bad to pack out this venue seeing as he only played Sydney’s acer arena 6 months ago.

It was great to meet other die-hard fans at a Pump House pub outside the Entertainment Center prior to the shown and then again afterwards. Something, which I had always wanted to do, and what, a great bunch on people.

The tickets purchased through eltonjohn.com had me seated row 10 from the stage but as you can see from my photos I was able to make it the very front of stage during "Pinball Wizard" and remain there for the rest of the show. Come autograph signing time (before encore), every man and his dog was holding up something for Elton to sign, but to his credit he took his time walking up then back down the stage signing a large number including my "Peachtree Road" CD cover (Thanks Elton!). Some people even got there item signed twice when Elton came back along the stage.

The six lead performers from Sydney’s "Billy Elliot" musical had the night off and were lead to their seats just before Elton took to the stage. Elton’s set list was the same as Perth on May 10, 2008 except Elton added a solo version of "Electricity" from the musical, which he dedicated to the boys.

Elton now heads off to Auckland New Zealand to do it all over again tomorrow night, before heading over to Darwin to play this coming Saturday night.

Thanks again Elton, not sure when we will see you back this way again, three times in 18 months is enough to keep this fan happy for a while.

Following is the complete set list of the Sydney show on May 12, 2008:

• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Levon
  
• Believe
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  
• Daniel
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Honky Cat
  
• Sacrifice
  
• Someone Save My Life Tonight
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Electricity
  
• Candle In The Wind
  
• Pinball Wizard
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• I'm Still Standing
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

The group photo in front of piano is (left to right): Andrew (my friend from Avoca Beach/Gosford NSW), Shaun (Wellington NZ), Ken (Western Australia) and me on the right.

Back to Headlines