Elton John praises Christchurch as he enthrals in final tour: ‘Well done, you’ve come back’

REVIEW: It was more than 20 years before I was born that Elton John played his first concert. Decades later, the excitement I felt hearing Bennie and the Jets and Rocket Man performed live for the first and last time shows the enduring nature of his songs.

From records to cassette tapes to CDs, my dad blasted Elton John through every era. Road trips were not complete without at least three repeats of Daniel and Crocodile Rock.

Now, at 75 years old with a new hip, one of the world’s greatest living piano players took the stage on Tuesday night in front of 27,000 fans at a sold-out Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, with a special message for the city.

“You are resilient, you have been through a hell of a lot. Everyone abroad is watching you and wishing you good things,” he said. “Well done, Christchurch, you’ve come back.”

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The concert was part of John’s final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road.

It is the first time he has performed in the city since a concert at the Addington Showgrounds on February 28, 1990.

The showman took the stage at 7.30pm on the dot wearing a black top coat with a pearl trim, wearing a pair of his trademark dazzling glasses, and kicked the concert off with Bennie and the Jets.

He addressed the crowd after, saying he was happy to “finally be back in New Zealand”.

“It’s great to be here, we’re gonna get right onto the show,” he said, not being one for superfluous chatter.

The Elton John on stage in Christchurch was a far cry from the man who was forced to leave the Auckland stage in tears in 2020, when he pulled out mid-set with pneumonia after failing to find his voice for Daniel, a song that was not played on Tuesday.

The crowd took a while to warm up, but I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues finally got them swaying.

John dedicated Border Song to the “queen of soul”, the late Aretha Franklin, and gave a brilliant rendition of Tiny Dancer.

The phone torches came out for Candle in the Wind, complete with images of Marilyn Monroe on the big screens.

The musician left the stage briefly for a costume change. He returned in a sparkling white top coat this time, and brought a whole new energy to the second half of the show.

“It’s time to dance,” he said.

There were a few “he’s still got it” being said around the crowd when he performed Rocket Man, ending with a long instrumental outro.

John knew he still had it as he sang I’m Still Standing with his career highlights playing on the big screen.

A note came up on screen dedicating the next song to fans. Crocodile Rock had nearly all 27,000 people out of their seats singing along.

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me was dedicated to the late David Crosby and to Crosby’s wife, the singer said.

The Bitch is Back got the crowd back out of their seats.

John didn’t seem to tire, if anything, he brought more energy to each song he played.

For his final costume change, John returned to the stage for his Dua Lipa collaboration Cold Heart, with the pop star’s pre-recorded vocals and face on the big screens. He wore a patterned pink and blue robe with Elton John written on the back as he encouraged the crowd to sing the lyrics.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was fittingly the final song.

“I will miss you, but you are always there,” the star said as he pointed to his heart.

And just like that, he slipped his robe off, and in his red and black tracksuit he waved his final farewell.