Elton John - Live at BST Hyde Park
Photo by Rory Barnes / BST Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London - 24th June 2022
Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour
Support by Rina Sawayama, Gabriels, Let's Eat Grandma, Berwyn - Curated by Sir Elton John
By Robert Corich
Classic Elton tunes from the elder statesman of piano pop enchanted his legions of fans tonight at British Summer Time’s party in the park.
Kicking off the the three weekend stint that is BST Elton John delivered hit after hit in his eclectic and flamboyant style that only Elton can do.
Hits from the seventies and eighties abounded with the highlights largely being mined from his earlier albums, especially the 1973 album ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player’ with a rollicking ‘Crocodile Rock’ through ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ and a rocking version of ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’ and on to ‘Captain Fantastic’ and an enchanting ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ from that amazing album. Onto ‘Caribou’ where the crowd roared to ‘The Bitch Is Back’. He certainly was.
With more than acceptable lighting and graphics the visuals were a fine addition to compliment the tunes from his classic musical cannon. Mystery of the day for those that have witnessed BST previously is where did the big tree stage left vanish to?
A show stopping set that included some of the wonderful musicians from Sir Elton’s wonder years including Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone among others. Classic music delivered by classic musicians.
Highlights of the day were the inclusion of ‘Have Mercy On The Criminal’ from his ‘Don’t Shoot Me’ album and the brilliantly extended ‘Loves Lies Bleeding and Funeral For A Friend’ which made the day. A certified classic all on its own.
A show for everyone and not to be missed.
Setlist:
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
Take Me To The Pilot
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Levon
Candle In The Wind
Loves Lies Bleeding / Funeral For A Friend
Burn Down The Mission
Sad Songs
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
Saturdays Nights Alright For Fighting
Encore:
21. Cold Heart
22. Your Song
23. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
24. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Photos by Jeff Moh
Support acts and fans… Photography by Jeff Moh / BST Hyde Park / Aye Fone