Elton John is currently on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which began in 2018 and is scheduled to conclude in 2023. The legendary singer announced that this multi-year world tour would serve as his final round of extensive touring before retirement from the road. Understandably, fans are eager to know if they will be able to experience Elton’s farewell concerts through television broadcasts for those who cannot attend the shows in person.
Will any of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour be televised?
At this time, there are no definite plans for Elton John’s farewell tour concerts to be televised in their entirety. However, there have been some partial broadcasts of the tour on television so far:
- In 2019, CBS aired a one-hour special called “Elton John: I’m Still Standing – A Grammy Salute” featuring live performances from Elton’s tour along with artists paying tribute to his music.
- During Elton’s concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in October 2022, portions of the show were live streamed on Disney+ as part of the streaming service’s “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” event.
- ITV in the UK aired an hour-long special called “Elton John: Jewel Box” in November 2020 which included clips from the Farewell Tour.
So while big chunks of the tour have not been broadcast so far, it’s possible that more songs and footage could end up on TV before the end of the run.
What Elton has said about broadcasting the tour
In interviews, Elton has expressed mixed feelings about having his farewell tour televised in full:
- He has said he wants fans to be able to share in the experience of his last hurrah, but also values the intimacy and uniqueness of the live concerts.
- Logistically, televising every show would be very difficult given the production challenges and costs involved.
- Elton admitted he is still undecided about TV broadcasts and will see how he feels as the tour progresses.
So he seems open to the idea but hesitant to fully commit at this stage. Fans may need to keep hoping and sending him messages on social media to help persuade him!
What are the factors impacting a potential TV broadcast of the tour?
There are a number of considerations that may influence whether any part of Elton’s long farewell tour ultimately gets televised:
Production costs
Televising a mega concert event like Elton’s show is an extremely expensive undertaking requiring dozens of cameras, audio equipment, satellite uplink trucks, production crew and more. The costs could easily run into the millions for a multi-hour live broadcast from venues around the world. Networks may be hesitant to take this on without major sponsors and advertisers on board.
Scheduling logistics
With over 300 shows scheduled across five continents over three years, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour poses massive logistical challenges for potential television broadcasts. Shows take place on different days of the week and often multiple shows are played back-to-back in a city. The tour schedule would need to be synced up with broadcast schedules and availability.
Setlist variability
Elton’s setlists change often from night to night, with him drawing from a repertoire of over 300 songs. He likes to keep things fresh rather than stick to a regimented program. This unpredictability may prove difficult for television producers who would ideally want songs and segments planned out in detail for a live broadcast.
Technical rehearsals
If a concert is going to be televised, the production team typically spends days or weeks setting up cameras, testing angles, adjusting lighting, and tech rehearsing with the artist and band. This allows everything to be perfected for the cameras. Elton may not want to devote precious rehearsal time on tour to extensive televised run-throughs.
Demands on Elton
Doing a long ambitious tour in his 70s is already taxing for Elton. Adding the pressures and additional workload of major televised concerts on top of that may be too much for him to take on. Extra camera rehearsals, media interviews, and behind-the-scenes filming could detract from the tour experience he wants to have.
Factor | Impact on Televising Farewell Tour |
---|---|
Production costs | Very high expenses for multi-camera live broadcast from venues worldwide |
Scheduling logistics | Syncing tour dates across 5 continents with TV network broadcast schedules |
Setlist variability | Elton’s changing setlists harder to plan for TV production |
Technical rehearsals | More time needed at each venue to prepare that Elton may not want to give |
Demands on Elton | Extra workload of television broadcasts could detract from Elton’s tour experience |
What types of shows might get televised?
While it seems unlikely that the entirety of Elton’s multi-year tour will be televised, there are certain shows and venues that could potentially be broadcast:
Special concerts
Major milestone shows like Elton’s concerts at Dodger Stadium in LA and Hyde Park in London could warrant a live TV broadcast focused just on that special event. These are historic concerts marking his career coming full circle, which networks may want to air.
Tour finale
As the ultimate farewell, the final concert of the tour in Sweden in 2023 seems a prime candidate for televising. It will be an emotional closing night that fans worldwide would love to experience live on TV.
Greatest hits setlist show
Elton could choose to do one concert on the tour specifically designed for television, with a fixed setlist of his biggest hits and greatest songs through the decades. This would be easier for TV producers to work with.
Hybrid concert TV special
Rather than a whole concert, a hybrid TV special could blend tour highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, interviews with Elton, and partial live performances. This may appeal to Elton more than televising an entire show.
Potential Televised Show | Overview |
---|---|
Special concerts | Major milestone shows like Dodger Stadium and Hyde Park |
Tour finale | The very last concert of the tour in Sweden |
Greatest hits concert | One concert with a fixed setlist designed specifically for TV broadcast |
Hybrid special | Mixing tour highlights, interviews, behind-the-scenes, and partial live performances |
How fans can help make it happen
Ultimately, whether any of Elton John’s farewell tour makes it onto television will come down to whether Elton feels it is the right move. As he has wavered on the idea so far, fans may be able to help sway him by showing their enthusiasm and support:
- Post on social media using hashtags like #TeleviseFarewellTour and #FarewellOnTV to demonstrate demand.
- Sign online petitions requesting TV broadcasts.
- Request songs from the tour on radio call-in shows.
- Send physical mail to Elton’s management politely explaining why you would love to experience the farewell tour on TV.
- Buy official tour merchandise and any televised concert releases like the Dodger Stadium live album/DVD.
- Attend the concerts in person and make signs asking for the show to be televised.
If Elton sees that broadcasting the tour would make millions of loyal fans ecstatic and emotional to share in the experience, even from their living rooms, he may just change his mind and embrace the idea. Media outlets will also pay attention if fan interest seems high, making them more likely to reach out to Elton about broadcasting possibilities.
The potential impact of a televised farewell tour
There are good reasons why Elton John should consider finding a way to bring his farewell tour to TV screens:
Viewer numbers
Even with over 300 concerts scheduled, demand for tickets far outpaces supply. Television would let Elton’s music and performing reach a mass audience numbering in the millions worldwide.
New generation of fans
Younger viewers who may not be as familiar with Elton’s full musical legacy could discover his brilliance and become new fans through a televised concert.
A historic music event
Elton retiring from touring is a major milestone in pop culture history. Broadcasting even part of his farewell tour makes it a shared global event, like landmark shows from The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and the Rolling Stones.
Revenue opportunities
Beyond ratings and ad revenue from an initial broadcast, filmed concert footage could be repackaged for DVD sales, streaming distribution, and soundtrack releases.
Cementing the legacy
Televised concerts reaching millions of viewers could help boost and cement Elton John’s place in the pantheon of all-time music greats. What better legacy capstone could there be?
Predicted setlist if the farewell tour is televised
If Elton John does choose to allow his farewell tour to be televised, either in part or in full, it is likely he will want a setlist tailored for the broadcast that hits on all of his major classic songs and fan favorites. Here is a predicted setlist of what could be expected:
- “Bennie and the Jets”
- “Philadelphia Freedom”
- “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues”
- “Tiny Dancer”
- “Rocket Man”
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”
- “Candle In The Wind”
- “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
- “Crocodile Rock”
- “Your Song”
- “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”
Songs like “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Candle In The Wind” and “Your Song” seem like absolute locks as those are his most iconic hits. Deeper fan favorites like “Bennie and the Jets” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” would please the diehards. Lively tracks like “Crocodile Rock” and “Philadelphia Freedom” work well in a concert setting. Overall it would be a career spanning setlist of classics sure to please audiences.
How the televised concerts could be promoted
Assuming Elton John does approve some portion of his farewell tour for television, how could the broadcasts be effectively promoted to drive the largest possible audience?
Airing promos on major networks
Extensive promo reels for the Elton special should air frequently on major broadcast networks in the weeks leading up to the air date. This elevates the event and makes it feel like must-see TV.
Leveraging Elton’s media appearances
As Elton does media interviews during the tour, he can mention and promote the televised concert. Appearing on high viewership shows like late night talk shows will spread awareness.
Social media campaigns
Contests and hashtags related to the TV special should be launched on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok to gain user generated promotion and buzz.
YouTube sneak peeks and music videos
Posting previews of the concert on YouTube along with Elton music videos will help trend on the platform and get music fans excited.
Press releases and media kits
Promotion Tactic Implementation Network promos Air frequent teasers and spots for the concert on major TV networks Leverage media appearances Have Elton mention the broadcast in his interviews Social campaigns Launch hashtags and contests related to the event YouTube videos Post preview clips and Elton music videos Press releases & kits Provide media with professional promotional assetsHow Elton John’s showmanship could translate to television
A concern that Elton may have about televising his concerts is whether his legendary live showmanship will fully translate for TV viewers. However, there are a number of elements that should engage home audiences:
- Costumes: Elton’s outrageous colorful costumes and eyewear are perfect for TV visuals.
- Lighting: Ample concert lasers, spotlights and displays will dazzle on camera.
- Stagecraft: Director can focus on Elton’s piano playing and audience interaction.
- Crowd energy: Palpable electricity from huge venues full of cheering fans.
- Edited pacing: TV broadcast can be edited to pick the best moments for optimal pacing.
- Close-ups: TV cameras can zoom in for intimate views of Elton’s performance.
The components of Elton’s legendary concerts – the singing, piano playing, flamboyant style, and showmanship – are all designed to connect with crowds of thousands. But thoughtfully framed and edited, these same elements should make for an equally mesmerizing experience for the television audience. The cameras can even provide perspectives and close-ups that attendees at the venue can’t get.
Conclusion
In the end, fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Elton John finds the right format to share parts of his unforgettable farewell tour with television viewers around the world. His repertoire of classic songs and still-superb performance skills deserve to be immortalized through television broadcasts. Seeing Elton on stage delivering his iconic hits in spectacular costumes one last time would truly be great television. Hopefully the entertainment value and legacy cementing power of broadcasting the tour will persuade Elton it is an opportunity he should seize while he still can. The potential viewership and revenues should also make television networks highly motivated to reach a deal and promote the concerts if Elton is willing. With the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour winding down in 2023, the window for agreeing to televised broadcasts is closing – so hopefully a deal can be struck soon to the delight Elton’s global fanbase.