REVIEW: Elton John | 10.28.19 @ Bridgestone Arena

Elton John
Bridgestone Arena; Nashville, TN
October 28, 2019

Review by Philip Obenschain

Almost a year to the day since he first graced Music City with his extended Farewell Yellow Brick Road final tour, musical legend Elton John returned earlier this week for an encore performance at Bridgestone Arena– a show we worried might not happen as planned, after illness forced a last-minute postponement just days ago in Indianapolis. Thankfully, the esteemed English rocker made it to Nashville after all, to deliver one of the most sentimental, career-spanning, heartfelt, and moving performances we’ve ever witnessed; an impactful and earnest way to wind down a celebrated, more than 50-year-long run on his own terms, and a stunning reminder of why Elton is one of the most important, successful, and renowned musical artists of all time.

Arriving early and met with an illuminated backdrop with a massive LED array, I was thrilled to find my seat so close to the stage, in direct line of sight with Elton and his band. Being Nashville, I figured there would be plenty of famous musical figures in the house to catch the legendary artist one final time, and within minutes, caught a glimpse of not only Nashville resident and country star Kacey Musgraves, but also of John’s career-long writing partner Bernie Taupin (who, from what I understand, doesn’t regularly join the singer on the road).

The arena was packed and buzzing, forgoing an opening act and simply playing house music to occupy the audience and build anticipation. And then suddenly, as the lights went down and the stage lit up, the opening notes of “Bennie and the Jets” brought the room to rapturous applause, the perfect start to a fantastic setlist of hits. I’d only ever seen Elton John once before, for a pretty epic headlining set at Bonnaroo, but being so close and in a (slightly) more intimate environment, with a crowd there just for him, was a whole new, even more electrifying experience.

Though his band (many of whom have been with the singer for decades) were amazing, and effortlessly brought John’s work to life in flawless detail, the piano man himself was, as he’s long been, the magnetic and captivating star and center of attention, rocking a variety of outfits (glamorous, though not as wild as some he donned in his younger years) and delivering dozens of his greatest hits (mostly from his ’70s and ’80s heyday) with as much heart, energy, and talent as ever. From the arena-wide singalongs of “Tiny Dancer,” to the captivating crescendos of “Rocket Man,” to the melancholy beauty of “Candle in the Wind,” the 25-song set had not a single moment of filler, and could’ve been twice as long without ever needing to dive into the deep cuts. Elton’s career is legendary, and seeing how affecting his songs are to fans of all ages and walks of life, performed with the urgency of an artist who so clearly wanted to give his audience an extra special farewell, was one of the most magical nights of music I’ve ever witnessed in Nashville.

While the band’s setup was pretty functional, the huge LED screens really made Elton’s show pop, alternating between a live feed and archival performance footage, imagery, old music videos, graphics, and lighting. For a more propulsive run of “The Bitch Is Back,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Crocodile Rock,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” to close out the set, the imagery (and the energy of the band) got even more fun and retrospective, reminding of all of the flamboyance and over-the-top performances that defined Elton in his early years as a superstar.

Though he spent much of the show seated at the piano, Elton did take some opportunities to roam the stage and get closer to the crowd, and the piano itself occasionally moved from side to side on a platform, giving fans at each end a better glimpse of the performer. In great spirits (and apparently feeling much better after being ill over the weekend), he cracked jokes, mused about the past, expressed endless gratitude for the love and support, and, by the end, seemed genuinely choked up in saying goodbye, disappearing into the stage itself after a heartfelt farewell, which, as confetti rained down, morphed into a giant painting of the singer walking off onto the Yellow Brick Road, after an encore of “Your Song” and, fittingly, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” I couldn’t have asked for a more special way to properly see Elton John headline for my first- and, very likely, last- time, and I’ll cherish my memories of this show, and the immense talent and legacy of the great Elton John, forever.

Setlist:

Bennie and the Jets
All the Girls Love Alice
I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues
Border Song
Tiny Dancer
Philadelphia Freedom
Indian Sunset
Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
Take Me to the Pilot
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Levon
Candle in the Wind
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Burn Down the Mission
Daniel
Believe
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
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