Elton John is one of the most successful and beloved musicians of all time. The legendary singer-songwriter has delivered countless iconic songs and put on spectacular live performances for over 50 years. After announcing his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour several years ago, many fans have wondered if Elton John will ever perform again in the United States after he finishes his scheduled global tour.
When did Elton John announce his farewell tour?
Elton John officially announced his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour in January 2018. The global tour began in September 2018 in the United States and is scheduled to conclude in 2023 after over 300 shows worldwide. The tour was originally slated to end in 2021 but was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional dates were eventually added and rescheduled through 2023.
Where has Elton John performed on his farewell tour so far?
So far on his farewell tour, Elton John has performed shows across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He has played some of the biggest stadiums and arenas in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, London, Paris, and Sydney. He even completed a residency in Las Vegas from 2019 through 2021.
North America
In North America, Elton John has played multiple shows in top markets like Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Nashville, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Montreal, and Mexico City.
Europe
Elton John’s tour has hit major European cities including London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, Birmingham, Manchester, Dublin, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. He also performed in Istanbul.
Australia/New Zealand
Down under, Elton played shows in marquee Australian arenas in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and regional spots like the Hunter Valley. He also held concerts in Auckland and Dunedin, New Zealand.
When is Elton John’s farewell tour scheduled to conclude?
According to his current tour schedule, Elton John’s last scheduled concert of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour is set for November 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden at Tele2 Arena. However, Elton has previously extended his global tour after announcing final dates, so there is still a possibility he could add more shows after the Stockholm show if demand persists.
How many shows has Elton John performed so far on his farewell tour?
As of October 2022, Elton John has performed 113 shows across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour since it began in September 2018. He has 25 shows remaining in 2022 and over 40 shows currently scheduled for the 2023 finale of the tour.
Number of Shows Per Region
Region | Number of Shows |
---|---|
North America | 92 |
Europe | 9 |
Australia | 6 |
New Zealand | 6 |
In total across all regions so far, Elton John has delivered 113 concerts for millions of fans as part of his farewell tour through October 2022.
What are some of the setlist staples and songs Elton has been playing on his farewell tour?
Elton John’s farewell tour setlists have included hit after hit spanning his 50+ year career. He has been playing for about two and a half hours each night and rotating through his endless catalog of iconic songs.
Setlist Staples
- “Bennie and the Jets”
- “Rocket Man”
- “Tiny Dancer”
- “Philadelphia Freedom”
- “Candle in the Wind”
- “I’m Still Standing”
- “Crocodile Rock”
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”
- “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
Beyond those staples, Elton has mixed in deeper album cuts and fan favorites like “Have Mercy on the Criminal”, “The One”, ” Border Song”, “Take Me to the Pilot” along with a smattering of hits like “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues”, “I’m Still Standing”, and “Sad Songs (Say So Much)”.
What special or rare songs has Elton played during his farewell tour?
While Elton has focused mostly on his classic hits and popular songs during the farewell concerts, he has broken out some special tunes and rarities for fans over the course of the tour:
- “Indian Sunset” – Played occasionally early in the tour, had not been performed live since 1977
- “Better Off Dead” – Played during the Vegas residency, had not been performed since 1977
- “Easy as Life” – From Aida, played rarely including during Vegas residency
- “Original Sin” – Duet with George Michael via recording, played occasionally
- “Stone Cold Crazy” – Queen cover played with Adam Lambert, only at a LA show
The tour has focused mostly on smash hits but for some cities, Elton has dug deep into his catalog for surprise performances to delight fans.
What is the production like for Elton John’s farewell tour shows?
Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concerts have featured spectacular production and lavish performances at every stop along the tour. Here are some highlights of the production:
- Giant LED video walls and screens with custom graphics
- Elaborate costumes, wardrobe changes, and glasses worn by Elton
- Elton’s famed “Million Dollar Piano” – a custom piano embedded with LED video panels
- Pyrotechnics, confetti, lasers, and fog effects
- Hydraulic lifts and platforms on the stage
- Huge backing band and crew (11 musicians, 5 backup singers, etc)
No expenses have been spared to make these massive stadium and arena shows feel like the epic events and flamboyant spectacles an Elton John farewell tour deserves.
How have fans and critics responded to Elton John’s farewell tour?
Elton John’s farewell tour has received rave reviews from fans and critics alike as he has traveled the globe. The concerts have been described as emotional and enthusiastic celebrations of his decades of music.
Fan Response
Fans have expressed sheer joy at being able to see Elton John live one last time. Many describe the shows as once-in-a-lifetime experiences to sing along with an all-time great. Fans have praised the stunning visuals, Elton’s masterful piano playing, and his seemingly limitless energy on stage.
Critical Response
Critics have overwhelmingly praised the tour as well. Many call the production Elton’s most elaborate ever. Reviews highlight the thrill of hearing timeless songs like “Rocket Man” and “Your Song” played flawlessly alongside deeper cuts. Elton’s genuine gratitude and connection to fans during the 3-hour sets has been lauded repeatedly.
Will Elton John perform in the US again after his farewell tour finishes?
It remains to be seen if Elton will ever perform a concert again in the United States after his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour comes to a close. Here are some possibilities:
Possibility 1: One-Off Special Shows
Elton could choose to return now and then for special one-off performances in the US after his tour finishes, like benefit concerts or award show appearances. This would let him perform again without embarking on a full tour.
Possibility 2: Las Vegas Residency
Las Vegas residencies have become hugely popular for music icons in recent decades. Elton could follow in the footsteps of stars like Rod Stewart and Celine Dion and have a recurring concert series in Vegas.
Possibility 3: Tour with Ed Sheeran
Elton has mentioned before that “in an ideal world” he’d love to tour smaller venues with Ed Sheeran. Though unlikely soon given Ed’s own tour plans, a buddy tour with Ed could happen down the road.
Possibility 4: No More Performances
There is also the possibility Elton John never performs another full public concert in the United States again. After this massive tour, he may choose to permanently retire from touring at age 75+.
Will Elton John play additional countries on his farewell tour?
As of now, Elton only has European tour dates scheduled through mid-2023 to finish his farewell tour. However, there are a few countries he has not yet played on this tour that he could potentially add in the future:
- China – Massive market he has toured multiple times before
- South Korea – He last played here in 2015
- Japan – He frequently tours Japan and was scheduled to play in 2020 before pandemic cancelation
- Philippines – Played a huge free concert there in 2019, could come back
- South Africa – All-time biggest concert was there in 1995 to over 300,000 people
If Elton wants to keep touring into 2024, expanding his farewell tour to countries in Asia could certainly be possible logistically and financially. However, no concrete plans have been announced yet for any dates beyond November 2023.
How much are tickets for Elton John’s farewell tour? What is the price range?
Tickets to Elton John’s massive farewell tour have been highly coveted by fans, with most shows selling out instantly. Here is an overview of the ticket price ranges:
Ticket Type | Estimates Price Range |
---|---|
Upper Level Seating | $50 – $200+ |
Lower Level Seating | $250 – $500+ |
Floor Seating | $400 – $1,500+ |
VIP Packages | $750 – $5,000+ |
As you would expect for a global megastar’s farewell tour in huge stadiums, tickets can get very expensive, especially for front row seats and exclusive VIP packages with backstage access, prime seating, and commemorative merchandise.
How does Elton John’s farewell tour compare to other legendary acts’ final tours?
Elton John is joining other iconic musicians who have embarked on massive worldwide tours for one final go-around with fans. Here is how Elton’s farewell tour compares so far to other legends’ goodbyes:
Artist | Farewell Tour | Duration | Attendance | Gross |
---|---|---|---|---|
Elton John | Farewell Yellow Brick Road | 2018 – 2023 | 2.4+ million (est) | $700+ million (est) |
The Rolling Stones | A Bigger Bang Tour | 2005 – 2007 | 4.5 million | $558 million |
Paul McCartney | One on One Tour | 2016 – 2017 | 1.2 million | $132 million |
Kiss | End of the Road World Tour | 2018 – 2023 | 1.3 million (est) | $298+ million (est) |
Elton’s tour will likely go down as one of the biggest ever in terms of attendance and money grossed. He is joining other icons like The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney who have embarked on their own record-breaking farewell tours.
Conclusion
While no one can definitively say if Elton John will ever perform live again in the US after his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour comes to a close, the prospects look unlikely as he prepares for retirement after over half a century on the road. Elton is currently focused on finishing his epic multi-year world tour in 2023 with lavish production for millions of appreciative fans. The tour has earned rave reviews so far as a fitting goodbye for one of music’s greatest showmen.