News : Elton John Delivers Classic Set At 2013 iTunes Festival

News : Elton John Delivers Classic Set At 2013 iTunes Festival

Sir Elton John affirmed his status as a true musical great last night during his set at the iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse in Camden, delivering a spectacular show full of energy, fun and sing-a-long classics.

Feeling: There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Roundhouse last night (September 12), with the crowd buzzing and fully engaged throughout man-of-the-moment Tom Odell’s set right up until Elton John sang his last note. Both singers were in fine voice and seemed genuinely pumped to perform.

The Look: All eyes were on Elton as he appeared on stage in a bright red shirt and a black suit jacket bedazzled with glittering red sleeves and a red rose embellished on the back.

As for the visuals, they were eye-popping from the get go, with a video loop of Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson pole dancing in a barely-there costume splashed across the screen during the opening number. Snowflakes, cherry blossoms and Elton’s name lit up in Las Vegas-style neon lettering also featured throughout the set.

Tunes: Croatian electro-classical duo 2Cellos kicked off proceedings with covers of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and AC/DC’s Highway to Hell before John and his band hit the stage for The Bitch Is Back.

From there Elton took the crowd for a walk down memory lane, playing some of his most popular classics such as Benny and The Jets, Philadelphia Freedom, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Rocket Man.

John performed several tracks off his upcoming 31st studio album The Diving Board, including the well received Can’t Stay Alone Tonight and Mexican Vacation, but it was of course his most iconic songs that got the warmest reception.

The crowd belted out every word of Tiny Dancer and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, then Elton made sure everyone was on their feet and dancing as he wrapped up the set with I’m Still Standing and Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.

Banter: Sir Elton heaped praise on opening act Tom Odell who he declared he was “so fond of and such a big fan of,” dedicating the track Tiny Dancer to the 22-year-old singer-songwriter.

He also talked about the calibre of the other acts performing at the festival and joked about having to "step it up" to compete with them.

At the end of the show, a sentimental Elton told the crowd: "This is a magical time to be alive. I have such a wonderful life, I have such a wonderful partner … the best part is to play live, and to play live for you guys."

The singer then dedicated his final track Your Song to all of his fans who he said have ‘given him so much’ over the years.

Special Guests: Other than 2Cellos, a choir and brass section from Elton’s former school the Royal Academy of Music joined the star on stage for an atmospheric rendition of his new track Home Again.

Celeb Spots: One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles, who covered several of Elton John’s tunes during the band’s time on the X Factor, was in the crowd and even received a shout out from the singer. Meanwhile actors Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch were spied dancing up a storm in the front row of the upstairs balcony.

Sweat Factor: Sweat factor is perhaps not the term best applied to a gig like this, but Elton and the band were on point and the audience certainly got involved, belting out the hits and boogying like there was no tomorrow.

Summary: A brilliant gig from a musical legend showcasing five decades of hits which had the whole crowd singing as they headed for home.


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