Fan report and photos by Peter Bucek.

Episode I. - Gates
It´s about three hours before the start of the show and me and some not very talkative fans from Britain and France are waiting for the doors to open. Suddenly I see Davey, Guy and John walking towards us from the city to the Arena. Is that real?! Yes, it was.

First what I did was that I said to Davey: "Hi Davey." He smiled on me, shaked my hand and said: "Hello, how are You doing?" Well I answered him. During my reply Guy passed next to me and my second "invitation" I gave to John Mahon: "Hello John!" He also smiled and asked me the same question as Davey. One minute after those three guys came Nigel. I said "Hello Nigel" and Nigel told me the same as Davey and John. Good training, guys, but be sure that we fans really love it!

Well, I said to myself it starts really good today. I said hello face to face to Elton´s band members!

Episode II. - That´s Enough Questions
After we´ve been allowed to run to the stage to get the best standing places, I reached I think the best place in the Arena - straight opposite Elton´s chair. I am sure some of you who read this article know very good this fantastic feeling. I think it´s similar to climbers who reach the top of Mount Everest. An older woman was standing next to me. She was there already before the gates has been opened and had a VIP badge on her wrist. I asked: "Where are you from?" She: "From England". Ok, we were in Croatia, so I also asked her if she is touring with Elton and how many times he has attend his concert. Her answer was: "That´s enough questions."

Oops, I was little shocked, I have never met someone so cold in Elton´s audience. During the show Elton waved her sometimes and I am sure he knows her. Well, maybe she was afraid of me, maybe she is his friend and tired of people who know it and are always asking her about Elton or whatever. She was about 55-60 years old and sang all his songs together with me, we had fun, but we´ve never talked anymore; I respected her of course.

Episode III. - The Show
Great weather, full historical Arena (very similar to Rome´s Colloseum) few meters from the Adriatic See and Elton came on stage. The set list was the same as most concerts of this tour with no changes. But not many people in the audience knew songs like "Funeral For A Friend", "Burn Down The Mission", "Take Me To The Pilot" etc. On the other hand my wife who was with her sister further away from the stage told me that people really enjoyed every song no matter if they´ve been singing or not.

Episode IV. - Davey again
During "Saturday Night´s All Right (For Fighting)" Davey played his "back to back" solo with Elton together. After this solo he came in front of me and droped his guitar pick straight into my hand! I was thrilled like a little child! I wish this experience to all of Elton´s fans in the world. Next week I will go to buy the most beautiful frame for this very rare item. Yes, I am crazy. But You know - this is the pick with which he played "Saturday"!

Episode V. - Thank you and thank you
As I was standing right in front of Elton, he saw me very often. He saw me like I was still singing, claping, screaming and what is more important, I was urging by my hand-gestures other people to claping and singing. Few times Elton showed his fingers on me, looked at me and said "Thank You". It was really nice of him and for me as Elton fan it is the absolutely top again. Of course I was saying him the same and I also took a bow in his style with my arms raised.

Epilog
Elton had concert in Croatia for the first time, and by the official source, this was the reason why he did not performed solo as was first announced, but he played with band. He also presented members of the band and as usually Nigel and Davey get the biggest ovations form audience.

This was my own anniversary - my 10th EJ concert and I also got the CD from this concert (concertlive.co.uk). It is amazing. Full show with no problems like claims on some former shows. Clear sound, also no problem to get it in few minutes after the show as had been announced.

Elton get into Pula very early, it is not usual in other cities. Fans told me they saw him in car about 2 p.m. in the city. The show was planned to start at 9.30 pm, but it started twenty minutes early. When I came to my hotel room I looked at the photo CD (3rd disc from 3CD). Jeeeeez! I found myself on photo. Well, I am also on the official Elton John´s photo CD from this show.

Organizers in the arena were little bit confused, because I asked three of them when the gates will be open and I got three very different answers. But I have seen no conflict, no drunken people, people were very polite also during leaving the place after the show. All in all - wonderful day with so many wonderful experiences. Thank you all.

Following is the complete set list of the Pula show on July 8, 2009:

• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Saturday Night Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  
• I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Daniel
  
• Honky Cat
  
• I Want Love
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Sad Songs (Say So Much)
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Sacrifice
  
• Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• All The Young Girls Love Alice
  
• Candle In The Wind (solo)
  
• Skyline Pigeon
  
• Are You Ready For Love
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• I’m Still Standing
  
• Your Song

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