Elton John Live Review @ The Reebok Stadium (Bolton Wanderers FC) (Bolton) - 05 Jun 2005

Image:link

Live Review

Elton John at The Reebok Stadium

June 5th 2005

Elton John's current 61-date tour brought him to Bolton's Reebok Stadium and although the event was not a sell out, the attendance was still in excess of 20,000 and proved he will always be a natural stadium performer. No one can dispute his far-reaching talent makes him appeal to all generations and social groups. The crowd was a mix of the elderly and the young, families and groups of friends wearing anything from suit and ties to T-shirt and jeans. But the fans came as one to experience a spectacular music show and they all went home knowing they had just seen a legend of pop and rock.

The event got under way with an energetic performance from Lulu whose enthusiasm and heart for soul managed to inspire the fans with uplifting renditions of Celebration, The man who sold the World and Put a little love in your heart. But her appearance would not be complete without the people's favourite Shout, which sparked some wild scenes on the floor.

But the crowd were sparked into life with an impromptu appearance from Peter Kay. He had the Bolton public in fits of laughter when he told them that the Rocketman was delayed because he was watching Last of the Summer Wine and taping the Antiques Roadshow backstage. His presence caused people to rummage through their bags for cameras to take photos of the comedian as they joined in with his version of Amarillo. He then proceeded to say, "it gives me great pleasure to...sit on bath taps, I mean welcome Elton John!"

Elton John's entrance on the stage was met with a wonderful ovation from the crowd who had now been sat waiting for at least two hours for his part of the show to get under way.

After waving to the crowd he sat at his piano, wearing a frock coat with an embroidered ginko biloba plant, a remedy for a forgetful mind, and began with Pinball Wizard before dedicating the next song, Daniel, to Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce.

The song that perhaps made the lasting impression on the night was Rocket Man, where he used his five-piece backing group to make the song extra soulful and seemed to make the ending last for eternity.

He dedicated Sorry seems to be the hardest way, to Ray Charles as he reminisced his last ever recording session with him just before he died.

The beauty with Elton's music is that it can be enjoyed in so many ways. Throughout Sacrifice and That's why they call it the blues some fans decided to sit back and simply take it in or gently sing along, while others, especially in the sides stands and executive boxes were on their feet swaying their hands from side to side.

Also, during many gigs and shows, when a performer sings their newer songs there is an air of uncertainty in the crowd, as they both appreciate what may end up being their favourite song but also wanting it to end so they may join in with something very familiar. However with Elton John, even his new ones from the album Peachtree Road including Turn the Lights out when you leave, All that I'm allowed, They call her the cat and a song from the Billy Elliot musical, Electricity were instantly memorable and the fans lapped them up.

As the evening wore on the weather got cooler and darkness began to fall, so Elton started to bang out more famous hits such as The bitch is back, Philadelphia freedom, and I'm still standing. The latter of these especially filled the crowd with joy and the mood to get their feet, clap and dance along to the musical icon performing to his best. The stage was flashing with light using an almost neon backdrop of animations to display moving words and shapes to each song.

When he left the stage the rapturous cheering did not cease until he returned for his encore and gave his adoring fans the show stopping Crocodile Rock as a cartoon crocodile filled the screen behind him. Everyone was now dancing in all areas of the stadium this time knowing they must enjoy it while they can. But it would not be his last song of the night because after leaving the stage for the second time the crowd upped the volume and urged him back on with a chorus of noise. He obliged after several minutes, this time wearing a black tracksuit. He thanked the crowd for all their support and dedicated the final song of the night, Your Song, to us all. Everyone swayed their hands, sung along, and it was clear from all the emotion that they had enjoyed a night of real entertainment which they will remember, as the rocket man says, 'for a long, long time'.

Christopher Hammer