Elton John Concludes Touring Career in Stockholm
Photo Credit: Ben Gibson
On Saturday, July 8, Elton John’s acclaimed Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour came to an emotionally-charged close at Stockholm, Sweden’s Tele2 Arena. The final date saw the celebrated musician bid farewell to touring after 50 years on the road. The musician led concert-goers on a musical journey through his catalog during the performance, which included an array of favorites.
The main frame consisted of 20 choice numbers that beckoned to different eras of his extensive career, beginning with a rousing “Bennie and the Jets.” Also making the list were beloved cuts, including “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Philadelphia Freedom.” During John’s take on “Border Song,” he paused to dedicate the tune to another musical luminary, Aretha Franklin.
Also during the night, a live video linked up with Coldplay, who played live in Gothenburg, Sweden, simultaneously. The band delivered a message of thanks on behalf of the many artists and musicians he has supported and platformed alongside during his illustrious touring career. Frontman, Chris Martin mentioned: “We are so grateful for everything you’ve done for the AIDS Foundation, anytime you’ve been kind to anybody. For everything you’ve done for LGBTQ.”
His message of flattery continued: “Everything you’ve done for fashion and eyewear. Everything you’ve done for sexiness, and love, and dressing gowns! Everything you’ve done for music, everything Bernie has done for lyrics, everything your band has done over the thousands of shows you’ve done. We love you so much, we’re going to miss you so much.”
Before marking the official end of the night, John also recognized the players that made the last five decades possible, calling out his band members: Davey Johnstone (musical director, guitarist, and backup vocals), Nigel Olsson (drums), Ray Cooper (percussion), John Mahon (percussion), Kim Bullard (keyboards) and Matt Bissonette (bass).
A high point of the event was John’s three-song encore, consisting of Cold Heart,” “Your Song,” and a hair-raising finale of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” After capping the show, John offered a statement, shared via press release: “When we set off on my final tour in 2018, I couldn’t have foreseen in my wildest dreams the twists and turns and the highs and lows this tour – and the whole world – would have experienced in the next 5 years.”
He concluded: “And every step of the way, my fans have been there. They have stuck with me, they have supported me, they have been patient, and they have kept turning out for every single last show. Tonight has been magical. I’m trying to process it, and I don’t think it will sink in for a while yet that I’m finally finished touring. I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss the fans and how much their support has humbled me – it will stay with me forever”.
John had toured since 1970, performing an astounding 4,600 shows in 80 countries. In 2017, the celebrated artist made the call to go out on a final tour before embracing the next chapter of his life. The ensuing Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour began on Sept. 10, 2018, in North America, bringing the musician through the U.K., Europe, Asia, and Australia before closing on Saturday night.
Elton John
Tele2 Arena – Stockholm, Sweden
July 8, 2023
Set: Bennie and the Jets, Philadelphia Freedom, I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, Border Song, Tiny Dancer, Have Mercy on the Criminal, Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time), Take Me to the Pilot, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Levon, Candle in the Wind, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Burn Down the Mission, Sad Songs (Say So Much), Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, The Bitch Is Back, I’m Still Standing, Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Enc.: Cold Heart, Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
