PHILADELPHIA (CelebrityAccess) Elton John had his second show of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Tour” tour in Philadelphia Sept. 11 and, at least for one critic, it was a rousing, rocking, epic event.
John, who is expected to spend three years on the tour, launched his nearly a three-hour show at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., Sept. 8, followed by a show at Philly’s Wells Fargo Center Sept. 11. That show began with about “90 minutes of nontsop singing and piano playing” that kept the audience on their feet before exiting the stage and returning to “the sound of loud thunderstorms, dark blue, smokey lights surrounding the arena, and a grand, candle-lit chandelier on the large screen, according Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press music writer.
A light shone down on John’s piano “as if he were Batman,” Fekadu wrote. “After all, his performance was heroic.”
“His performance throughout the night was so rousing that concertgoers, ranging from thirtysomethings to people about John’s age (he’s 71), reacted in various ways: Some recorded every moment with their cellphones like anxious teenagers, while others danced without a care, yelled every lyric and played the air-piano,” Fekadu said. “Others calmly took in the energy from their seats — after all, it was a school/work night.”
The show began with “Bennie & The Jets” and included all the big hits like “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting)” and “Candle In The Wind.” John spoke little during the show, once recognizing writing partner Bernie Taupin and introducing “Border Song” with a tribute to Aretha Franklin, saying he wanted to honor those who had a profound impact on his life (Franklin once covered the song).
“He closed the concert with ‘Goodbye to Yellow Brick Road,’ this time in a robe and heart-shaped glasses,” Fekadu said. “John took off the robe to reveal his tracksuit, ascending into a secret-like door above the stage. Just like a superhero.”
