Fan report by Si Owens.

The Peachtree Road Tour came to Southampton on Saturday May 28, 2004, and it was a most memorable occasion indeed. The audience at St. Marys were warm and appreciative throughout, and Elton in turn was in exceptionally good form.

Most of tonight’s renditions were greeted with standing ovations and extended rounds of applause. It was evident from the enthusiasm of the Southampton crowd that this was Elton John’s first concert at St. Marys stadium. It was an occasion lapped up by the following, and this was not without justification as Sir Elton gave a vintage performance.

Elton got his audience right onside from the off, opening with a barnstorming "Pinball Wizard", followed by an energetic "Bennie And The Jets" and an all-time favourite in "Daniel". Elton was playing the crowd and entertaining them brilliantly, which worked to the effect that he’d achieved the attention of every listener as he played a track which may have been new to many of the audience, "Turn The Lights Out When You Leave". This song is a grower for sure, and while followers of Elton’s work just grow to love the track more with every listen, the rest of the audience took to it first time.

Then came "Take Me To The Pilot", featuring an amazing, almost classical piano introduction from Elton, and this was followed by the ever astounding "Rocket Man". The tour version of "Rocket Man" is not something that can be described to the uninitiated, it simply has to be heard.

Then followed a selection of greatest hits, Peachtree Road favs, and the soon to be released single "Electricity". "Electricity" is an emotional tune, and one which suits Elton John’s voice and singing style perfectly, although of course the song was not written specifically for him to sing. The song has all the apparent ingredients of a hit, although it possibly isn’t one for the long-term fans, who favour grit and soul over style and production. If you like your ballads big and cheesy, you’ll love "Electricity".

Other highlights on the night included an excellent lead vocal on "I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues", a super-enhanced Voice Of Atlanta Choir working of "Philadelphia Freedom" and a mega-powerful, mega-energetic "Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me". This leg of the tour has also seen the re-emergence of "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" in the set, and the track has been arranged excellently for this tour, including a virtuoso piano solo section before the final chorous.

This current set is much lighter in tone and more accessible to the casual fan than previous sets. I remember fondly Elton coming to Manchester a few years back and totally indulging his fans with tracks like Holiday Inn, Have Mercy On The Criminal and plenty of Songs From The West Coast material (an album completely forgotten in recent sets). But at the end of the day, this is a stadium tour, and the art of pleasing all of the people all of the time was achieved effortlessly here tonight.

As Elton John performances go, this was pretty much top drawer. And as live performers go, you’ll do well to see and hear anybody doing it better than Elton John.

In Southampton on Saturday night, we certainly got our money’s worth. Thanks once again, Elton, for another terrific show.

Following is the complete setlist of the Southampton show on May 28, 2005:

• Pinball Wizard
  
• Bennie and the Jets
  
• Daniel
  
• Turn the Lights Out When You Leave
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Rocket Man
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Sacrifice
  
• Electricity
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Funeral For a Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Are You Ready For Love
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• All That I'm Allowed
  
• Porch Swing in Tupelo
  
• They Call Her The Cat
  
• Sad Songs (Say So Much)
  
• Levon
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• I'm Still Standing
  
• The Bitch is Back
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Your Song

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