Fan report by Stephan Heimbecher.

Sometimes life is just good to you. When I made arrangements for a business trip to Los Angeles earlier this year, I had no idea that Elton would be performing a show in Bakersfield while I was nearby (that is 110 miles to the south). The concert on April 18, 2008 at the Rabobank Arena was only announced after I had already made my travel arrangements. And that's how I came to see my 111th Elton John show ... the only one thing I have done more often in my life is giving blood.

Elton, wearing a coat with the words "Town of Plenty" printed on the back, kicked of the show at 8.05pm with "Funeral For A Friend" and "Love Lies Bleeding". And it became clear immediately that tonight he would be performing in front of a crowd that can only be called enthusiastic.

Already during the second song of the set, "The Bitch Is Back", almost everybody was on his/her feet. And the singing along during songs like "Rocket Man", "Crocodile Rock" and "Your Song" was just amazing. The audience even cheered when Elton signed a yellow vinyl copy of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" during and extensive autograph session right before the encores.

The set list was a rather strange mixture of the usual suspects, the "Red Piano" set and a few surprises, but it didn't became clear to me why this tour is advertised as "Rocket Man - Number Ones Tour". Anyway, surprises included "Holiday Inn" and "All The Girls Love Alice".

Elton didn't talk that much this night, but was in even better piano playing mode and delivered some great solos during e.g. "Madman Across The Water" and of course "Rocket Man". "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" and "Crocodile Rock" were spiced up with some funny variations of the lyrics.

Following is the complete set list of the Bakersfield show on April 18, 2008:

• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Levon
  
• Believe
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  
• Daniel
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Honky Cat
  
• Holiday Inn
  
• All The Girls Love Alice
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Candle In The Wind
  
• Pinball Wizard
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• I'm Still Standing
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

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