A CLEAR summer night set the perfect scene for John’s return to the Hope Estate stage last Saturday night.
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When the show was announced earlier this year, the singer noted that it would be the last time he performs in the region as he prepares to scale back his tour commitments and spend more time with his kids.
With that in mind, let’s make the most of it.
Billed as the All The Hits Tour, the 68-year-old delivered exactly that during the two-and-a-half hour set which featured classic songs including Bennie and The Jets, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues and Candle In The Wind.
Hearing the songs live, back-to-back, is a reminder of the astounding number of truly great songs that John has produced over the years.
Backed by a five-piece band which included Nigel Olsson (drums) and Davey Johnstone (guitar), who have both played alongside John for much of his 47-year long career, the show also featured heavily on the 1973 album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
"We just celebrated the 40th anniversary of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road a couple of years ago and that makes me feel extremely old," John told the crowd.
Performing under an impressive 12-metre wide chandelier prop, John chatted with his audience, speaking about his love of Australia and reflecting on his career, including a tribute to long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin who wrote the lyrics for many of his biggest hits, including Your Song which delivered one of the set's highlight moments.
A camera set up on his piano gave us a close-up look at his incredible talent as his fingers moved across the keys.
The audience sang along with John to anthems Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, the latter which he dedicated to Newcastle musician and friend, Catherine Britt.
The hits kept coming as the show came to a close and the audience danced along to Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting), The Bitch Is Back and Crocodile Rock, proving that even after nearly 50 years in the game, Sir Elton still knows how to rock.
