Surrounded by a sea of devoted fans from all corners of the world, Elton John took to the stage for his final farewell concert in Stockholm, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over 50 years of live performances.
Expressing his deep appreciation, Elton John addressed the crowd, referring to them as his “lifeblood” and acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his career.
Clad in his signature rhinestone-adorned tailcoat and trademark oversized red glasses, the 76-year-old pop icon took his place at the piano shortly after 8 p.m. local time to the thunderous cheers of the audience. He commenced his farewell show with the crowd-pleasing hit “Bennie and the Jets.”
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Over the course of more than two hours, Elton John intertwined his songs with moments of gratitude, leaving the piano to personally express his appreciation to his loyal fans, band members, and crew, some of whom have been by his side for over four decades. Showering his band with praise, he declared, “I want to pay tribute to these musicians… they are the best, I tell you, the best.”
A heartfelt rendition of “Border Song,” dedicated to the late Aretha Franklin, was followed by the timeless anthem “I’m Still Standing,” which prompted the 30,000-strong crowd at the Tele2 Arena to rise to their feet in an exhilarating display of admiration.
Before his encore, Elton John shared a special message from Coldplay, who were performing in Gothenburg, Sweden. Singer Chris Martin expressed his gratitude for Elton John’s illustrious career and unwavering commitment to music.
Fans in attendance were thrilled to be part of this momentous occasion. Anton Pohjonen, a 25-year-old bank worker from Finland, expressed his awe, stating, “It was amazing. I have no words right now because I haven’t processed the show, but it was amazing.” Swedish teacher Conny Johansson, who had purchased tickets four years ago, admitted that the experience was overwhelming, saying, “You almost start tearing up on his account. But then it feels great to be here.”
Even before the concert began, excited fans were brimming with anticipation for the emotional finale of Elton John’s illustrious live career. Kate Bugaj, a 25-year-old Polish student, confessed that she postponed her master’s exams to follow her musical hero’s tour, describing herself as a “huge fan.” Her admiration for Elton John traces back to the first time she watched “The Lion King” in 1994, a film that garnered one of his two Oscar music wins.
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Jeanie Kincer, a 50-year-old fan who traveled from Kentucky to the United States, expressed her deep connection to Elton John’s music, sharing, “I wanted to be here for the end because I was too young to be here in the beginning.”
Elton John’s global farewell tour, titled “Farewell Yellow Brick Road,” has been winding down his legendary live career. After bidding farewell to audiences in the United States and headlining Britain’s Glastonbury Festival last month, he concluded the final leg of his tour with back-to-back performances at the Stockholm stadium.
Over the course of the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, Elton John has delivered a staggering 330 concerts, mesmerizing audiences across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and Britain. The tour, which spanned five years, faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a hip operation in 2021. Nevertheless, it has been an unforgettable journey, with Elton John captivating 6.25 million fans worldwide.
As Elton John bids a poignant farewell to his fans in Stockholm, his remarkable legacy as one of the greatest musicians of our time will continue to resonate for generations to come.
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