“Buonasera” he said in Italian, “happy” – he then added, also in Italian – about “this very special night” as it was the last one in Italy. “We’ll try to get the best,” he concluded, before returning to the plan.
A promise, that of the “very special evening” that Sir Elton John kept with the 50,000 who filled the San Siro stadium in Milan, returning after almost three years of lockdown to put on a show (the last being that of Muse in July 2019) due to the pandemic. With a stage surrounded by a Yellow Brick Road (which gives the title to his song and Farewell Yellow Brick Road farewell tour), a band of five musicians and three giant LED walls, it was enough for him to sit down on the piano and do the first agreements between Bennie and the Jets to drive audiences insane.
And there was no lack of his workhorses such as “Philadelphia Freedom” or “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” dedicated to Aretha Franklin, who had “the greatest influence on my way of playing the piano, and not only” Elton John explained. Or the poignant “Have Mercy to the Criminal,” have mercy on the criminal with percussion that sounds like bullet shots. Immediately after that, the visual and audio effects are those of a rocket launch for Rocket Man. Effects to which the audience also contributes, lighting their mobile phone flashlights as if they were stars in the stands.
Sneakers clad in red sequins, as tight as sequins, Elton takes the stage to greet the fans amid screams, perhaps not supersonic. But to achieve that, just go back to the piano for “Take Me to the Pilot” and then continue with one of his favorite songs, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” And you want to tell people to dance standing up while standing in front of their seat on the lawn, when the rhythm of “Levon” hits, the temptation to get up and dance under the stage is irresistible.
Then Marilyn appears on the screen for Candle in the Wind, but it is impossible not to think of the version of the same song dedicated to Princess Diana after her death. Especially today that Sir Elton not only made his first and last appearance at the San Siro, but also recorded a performance for the concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of Elizabeth II’s reign. Then put on a pink suit with contrasting sequins,
Elton goes to the second part of the concert.
And it’s a moment to burn the plan with “Burn Down the Mission” (on video). A moment to say “Italy thanks” and then off to “Sad Song” that turns San Siro into a dance floor. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” precedes “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” which is “dedicated to the friend who made me Milan Gianni Versace, his sister Donatella, who is still a friend, and Alessandro introduced Michele who made these clothes for Gucci”.
Pictures of his career pass, also when the Queen appointed him Sir with “I’m still standing”. And of course, Elton John still stands there, dedicating “Crocodile Rock” and then “Saturday Night’s Alighieri for Fighting” to his fans. Encore with the latest hit “Cold Heart” with thanks to Dua Lipa because “at 76 it’s wonderful to have a number one”. And end with a whole stage singing “Your Song”.
“This is one of those nights I will never forget. It’s my thirteenth in Milan and the 77th and last in Italy. Thank you for the love you gave me. I love you and will keep you in my heart. Goodbye” was also the motto of the last song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” before they were lifted up by a freight elevator and disappeared into the scenography.