Elton John @ BST Hyde Park, London

A stellar, diamond-studded farewell show from an irreplaceable icon

Elton John at BST Hyde Park (Photo: Rory Barnes)

He’s the king. Or rather Queen. The Captain Fantastic. The Rocket Man. It’s Elton Fucking John. Possibly one of the greatest human beings to walk Earth, even. ALL of that. And he’s been through it all. You think you’ve gone through some shit? Elton John has been through it ten times and then some. He’s
also, as a sidebar, knocked out a couple of generations worth of solid gold pop classics. Hyde Park is the latest stop on his seemingly never-ending farewell tour (it’s not his fault: covid and surgery has put paid to that) which looks like it will end next July. And when Elton says ‘that’s it’ he means it. So, it’s only
right that anyone and everyone gets an opportunity to see him – a real-life icon – live one last time.

A variety of a crowd – it’s literally a family affair in some cases, and there’s plenty of Pilates-honed regionals who’ve managed to struggle through transport chaos to make a day of it up London as well as those celebrating 37 years in estate agency. Some of whom are not batting an eyelid at dropping a few hundred on bottles of Moet at the bars, they’re just here for the experience. The presence. As though it’s about making memories and moments – some that the star turn has soundtracked throughout their lives. Elton, on the other hand, had energy to spare, bounding around like someone half his age, slamming his piano lid down ending proceedings.

Kicking off with the knockout one-two of Bennie And The Jets and Philadelphia Freedom, it’s a hit-packed set with enough room for album tracks and the bits and bobs that those who hollered along to every word of classics like Tiny Dancer and I’m Still Standing may not know. He’s flanked by his longtime band, some of whom who’ve played with him for over 50 years. There were dedications to Aretha Franklin, who’d taken a shine to Border Song back in the day, and the much-missed George Michael ahead of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. So many moments… Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Rocket Man, The Bitch Is Back. It’s hit after hit after hit.

Encore-wise, we were treated to “my most recent hit” Cold Heart with the guest lungery of an absent Dua Lipa (well I don’t want to quibble with you there, Sir, but you’ve since had two number one singles at Christmas, but that’s not for here) and an eye-moistening rewind to his first, Your Song, which was a
bit too much for some, and rounded off with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and a closing singalong to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart which had everyone ‘woohoo’-ing as they headed to the exits.

A stellar, diamond-studded show from the National Treasure that all others call Sir. The irreplaceable icon. Do what you can to catch this last tour of duty.