LIVE – Elton John, Perth WA – 12 November 2012

Perth Arena
Reviewed by Kevin Curran | Photgraphy by J-F Foto

Seas of people packed in to Western Australia’s new home of big name acts – Perth Arena, to witness Sir Elton John play the 40 year anniversary of Rocket Man tour.

The show kicked off with Elton’s two young Cello players warming the crowd with rendition’s of classic song’s by Michael Jackson, U2 and AC DC’s “Shook Me All Night Long” and “Highway To Hell” bringing Drummer Nigel Olsson and Guitarist Davey Johnstone into the fold for the latter.  One of the Cello players had some serious  comical facial expressions that put lead guitarists that look like they are in agony while playing to shame!

The rest of The Elton John band came out – 4 female harmony singers, bass, percussionist and keyboardist before The Man himself, Elton John, strutted his way onto the stage with his trademark sparkly blue and black jacket and sun glasses to a warm reception before taking his seat behind the piano and opening the night with the appropriate “The Bitch is Back” with his 11 piece band in fine form early on.

Being the 40th Anniversary of Rocket Man the set-list leaned heavy on the classic 70’s hit’s with “Benny and The Jets” and “Tiny Dancer” making an appearance early on.  Elton may be in his mid 60’s but he can still belt it out with the best of them and his voice sounded rich and powerful on the track “Believe”.

Elton dedicated his next song “Mona Lisa’s and Mad hatters” to the victims at ground zero in New York, a song he had played at the benefit concert a number of years back before lifting the crowd back up with his smash hit “Philadelphia Freedom” which got the ladies in the crowd on their feet for a sing and dance. Up next was the iconic “Candle In The Wind” which was a major highlight of the night, it goes to show that if music is good you feel it and this was definitely the case with this song, striking a chord for everyone in attendance.

The hits just kept coming with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Rocket Man” and “I Guess That’s Why The Call it The Blues” in quick succession before playing the theatrical epic track “Funeral For a Friend” which for musicianship value was a stand-out of the night.

After so many hits already you begin to forget just how many Elton has up his sleeve with “Daniel”, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, “I’m Still Standing”, “Crocodile Rock” and “Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting” rounding the set off in style.

Elton and band left the stage after a gracious bow but of course the night was not over and after brief chants for a encore Elton returned for a extensive autograph signing for the lucky people down the front of the stage.

After thanking everyone in attendance, Elton began “Your Song” which was met with a deafening roar from the crowd with his band one by one rejoining him on stage throughout the song before finishing the night with power ballad “The Circle Of Life” from The Lion King soundtrack.

Perth Arena is a great new venue for International acts with superb sound and Elton kicked the venue off in fine fashion playing through a 25 song set, something that acts half his age would find a mean feat in itself.

Setlist:
The Bitch Is Back
Benny And The Jets
Grey Seal
Levon
Tiny Dancer
Believe
Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters
Philadelphia Freedom
Candle In The Wind
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Rocket Man
Hey Ahab
I Guess that’s Why They Call It The Blues
Funeral For A Friend
Honky Cat
Sad Songs
No Sacrifice
Daniel
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Are You Ready For Love?
I’m Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Nights All Right For Fighting
Your Song
Circle Of Life

Category: Live Reviews