You could feel the love Sunday night at the sold-out Elton John concert at Amalie Arena.
Excited fans are dressed up in bedazzled, thick-framed glasses and feather boas that John has made part of his signature look over the years. Sir Elton told the audience he loved them after the first two songs.
The farewell tour’s Tampa stop was a long time coming. It was originally scheduled for 2018 but was postponed to 2019 due to his illness. After the November 2019 show sold out in Tampa, John announced a second farewell tour, which was delayed because of the pandemic.
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour began in January, but a few performances were canceled after the singer was diagnosed with COVID-19.
As many people were still taking their seats, John opened the act with a bang, bringing out Bennie and the Jets. He nimbly worked the piano with an enthusiasm that never faltered during the two-hour-plus show, dressed in a glittering tuxedo and glittery green glasses.
John's booming voice is incredible.
The stage's backdrop featured a brick pattern with symbols representing John's accomplishments over his 50-year career. The Lion King pattern, the Soul Train logo, and the Gucci emblem was among them. It framed a screen on which movies depicting songs played, each one more unique than the last.
The audience sung along to Tiny Dancer and Sad Songs (Say So Much) and provided the fun laaaa-la-la-la-la-la part of Crocodile Rock. A montage of John’s greatest moments, including his appearances on Soul Train and The Simpsons, played during I’m Still Standing.
Sir Elton John is still standing and singing and playing with such zeal that it's difficult to imagine him wanting to put down his instrument. The same could be said for the band; these men appeared to be having a great time.
He performed a duet with Dua Lipa, who appeared on the screen, on his single Cold Heart. He expressed his delight at having a hit at the age of 75, then sang his first song, Your Song.
During Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, the last song before the encore, a shower of golden confetti descended on the audience. John reappeared on stage, dressed in a pink robe and sporting heart-shaped glasses.
John ended the night recounting the number of times he’s played in Tampa and in Florida. He remarked that while he won’t be back, he’ll never forget us.
“Farewell,” he said, before launching into Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. He stripped off the robe, revealing a colorful tracksuit, then got onto a contraption that disappeared him into the back of the screen. It was hard to watch him go.
Farewell Yellow Brick Road: European Leg
Sir Elton John will be performing at the Amway Center in Orlando on April 27 and at the FTX Arena on April 28 before he will fly to Europe.
Catch Sir Elton John's European concerts
The Telenor Arena in Fornebu opened the European leg of Sir Elton John's farewell tour on May 21 and 22. He will then fly to Germany to serenade crowds at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on May 27. A massive audience is anticipated to attend Leipzig's Red Bull Arena.
On June, the highly anticipated tour will continue at Stadion Wankdorf in Switzerland and San Siro stadium in Italy. He will also be performing at CASA Arena Horsens in Denmark and GeIreDome in The Netherlands.
Parisians will surely enjoy a night at Paris La Défense Arena on June 12. If you are in England, clear your schedule because Sir Elton John will be performing at the following stadiums: Carrow Road (June 15), Anfield (June 17), Stadium of Light (June 19), Ashton Gate Stadium (June 22), Hyde Park in London (June 24) and Ashton Gare Stadium (June 26).