6 things we'll probably see at Elton John's farewell tour
25 January 2018
Pop legend Elton John has announced he will give up touring to spend more time with his family - but not before he's completed a truly epic, three year goodbye tour.
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour stars in the US in September, and will include more than 300 concerts over five continents. Here are six things we think the songwriting genius might pull out the bag...
1. Consummate showmanship
Elton John - Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2016 Highlights
The legendary musician and Hyde Park headliner performs a hit-packed set.
Over the course of his five decade career, Elton John has always impressed with his spectacular live showmanship. It sounds like his farewell tour is set to be his most fabulous, thrilling set of concerts yet.
“It’s going to be the most produced, fantastic show I’ve ever done,” he said, at the New York launch announcement for his goodbye gigs. “It’s a way of saying thank you and going out with a bang. I don’t want to go out with a whimper.”
We don't think there's any chance of that (though we love the TS Eliot reference...) We're expecting glitter, razzle dazzle and plenty of drama.
2. A fantastic wardrobe
It's fair to say that, over the years, Elton has proved himself a particularly snazzy dresser. From animal costumes to iconic eyewear, his wild and colourful outfits have always brightened up the stage.
So we absolutely can't wait to see what Elton's final stage wardrobe, which will be custom-designed by Alessandro Michele (Gucci’s Creative Director), is going to look like.
3. Innovative technology
Elton John - The Bitch is Back (Later Archive 2004)
Elton John performs The Bitch is Back on Later... with Jools Holland in 2004
Elton John is at his best when it's just him and his piano, belting out his classic hits. Nevertheless, over a 50 year career, he has also always been an innovator.
The announcement for his farewell tour was live streamed using cutting edge Virtual Reality technology, and we bet there will be some impressive tech integrated into the shows themselves.
4. Very special guests
Elton John - Two Fingers of Whiskey
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote this song specially for the American Epic sessions
The star's most famous collaborator is, of course, Bernie Taupin - who has been writing wonderful lyrics for Elton's music since the very beginning.
But he has also made music and performed with the likes of Kanye West, Eric Clapton and Ed Sheeran over the years. We're pretty sure that over the course of more than 300 shows we might just see a couple of special guests.
5. Tear-jerking moments
'Through the good times and bad times it's always been there' Elton John on music's impact on his life
Sir Elton John speaks to Ken Bruce at the Maida Vale studios about his newest album.
From Candle In The Wind to Your Song, Elton has written some of the most emotionally affecting pop songs of all time.
With emotions sure to be running high during his farewell tour, on stage and in the crowd alike, we're predicting quite a lot of tears all round.
6. A few old chestnuts
Most of us know all the words to Elton classics like Tiny Dancer and I'm Still Standing. With good reason, given that they're some of the biggest pop songs of all time.
But, during his farewell tour, the star is set to play a mixture of famous favourites and lesser known hits.
“For your own sanity you have to play some things you haven’t played for a long time; chestnuts I call them,” he told The Guardian.
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