It was a rare treat that the fans of Sir Elton John got a chance to see him in a smaller venue this past Monday night in Erie, Pennsylvania. The newly renovated Erie Insurance Arena and its promoter were able to lure the flashy and big name of Elton john back for the first time since April of 2000. John reminisced about playing the area and how the band always stayed at the same types of places. This led into one of his songs “Holiday Inn,” which was a small portion of a 27 song set that lasted about two (2) hours and 45 minutes. That was without a break! The “Rocket Man” was just that as he gave the fans what they wanted to hear. These were mostly classics and the occasional new song off his latest effort “Diving Board.” The new songs flowed seamlessly during the set as “Oceans Away” and “Home Again” were performed. In fact, John said that “Oceans Away” was a tribute and written for the few survivors that are left from both world wars.
One of the more impressive visuals of the night was the eye popping LED chandelier that was 50 feet wide by 40 feet deep (according to John’s website). The fans in Erie were one of the first to witness the jaw dropping effect. It lit up different shades of color and dropped at certain parts of the show. When Philadelphia Freedom was played, the chandelier turned red, white and blue along with the video screen behind it making it very patriotic. This also got people standing up and dancing for the first time of the evening as well. Although the ages of the fans varied, it was a mostly mature audience that filled the arena.
John’s voice held up fine which was also quite impressive since it was an almost three (3) hour show. His band still includes original member Nigel Olsson on drums and a member who has been there since 1970 and has played well over 2,000 shows with Elton in Davey Johnstone. Davey tackled many duties, including playing the mandolin during “Holiday Inn,” “Mona Lisas” and “Mad Hatters,” electric guitar and he is also the musical conductor for the show.
After just about every song, John stopped and acknowledged the crowd by pointing to every section. He even got up at one point and made his way down the stage so everybody could see him and say hello as he was tucked away behind his piano for the most part of the evening.
The consistency shows in what John is putting out and his fans ate it up in Erie, PA. It was a real treat to see a legend in a smaller type of venue and having this type of caliber talent is a sign of good things to come for not only the Erie Insurance Arena and their staff, but the local music fans in Pennsylvania and Western New York as well!
Setlist:
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Bennie and the Jets
Candle in the Wind
Grey Seal
Levon
Tiny Dancer
Holiday Inn
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Believe
Philadelphia Freedom
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
Hey Ahab
I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues
The One
Oceans Away
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Sad Songs (Say So Much) All the Girls Love Alice
Home Again
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
I’m Still Standing
The Bitch Is Back
Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n Roll)
Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Encore:
Your Song
Crocodile Rock
We would like to thank Lauren Wilsman from Rogers & Cowan for the credentials to review the show.
