Wednesday 4 September 2013 - We were fortunate to miss 'The Boss' doing the pre-opening opening of Leeds' latest entertainment venue, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the legend that is Elton John at the proper opening. It was also a chance to check out the acoustics to see if we might want to watch other artists/bands playing here.
The seating at the arena is fan-shaped, so a good view of the stage can be had from most sections. I wouldn't fancy being down on the flat area at the front though and the boxes and higher tiers looked a bit distant. We were on the right hand side, just below half way and the view was great.
The show started with 2Cellos , a pair of Croatians playing electric cellos attached to various effects boxes. They launched into a blistering mini-set of rock material; Smooth Criminal, Where The Streets Have No Name, Highway To Hell and Smells Like Teen Spirit. This gave the rest of Elton's band a chance to filter gradually on stage whilst providing a minimalist backing to the hand-banging duo.
After the applause had died down, Elton himself came on-stage and, seating himself at his piano, immediately launched into The Bitch Is Back. Hit followed hit as we were treated to; Bennie And The Jets, Grey Seal, Levon, Tiny Dancer, Holiday Inn, Believe, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Philadelphia Freedom, Candle In The Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time).
From his collaboration with Leon Russell (The Union) we had Hey Ahab, then I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues. Next, one of my favourite Elton John tracks, and I have a superb cover by Dream Theater, was Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding. It brings me out in gooseflesh every time and this was no exception.
From his latest album, The Diving Board, we had the first track that I was unfamiliar with, Oscar Wilde Gets Out. He certainly hasn't lost his touch. Back to the hits then; Sad Songs (Say So Much), Daniel, Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, The One and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. By now everyone was on their feet and desperately hoping that it wasn't all over. It wasn't. He rounded off with I'm Still Standing, Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting), another fantastic new track Home Again, and finally Your Song.
OK, he can't quite manage those high notes anymore but we can forgive him that. His current band features drummer Nigel Olsson (Uriah Heep, Spencer Davis Group, Elton John Band and a session drummer) and Davey Johnstone from his original line-up of the 70s. Elton's four backing singers included two who are legends themselves; Rose and Lisa Stone from Sly And The Family Stone.
Acoustically, the Arena is fantastic. We could hear every single word that Elton sang, despite the fact that some of the bass notes made the legs of my jeans vibrate. Each instrument was distinct and clear. So I highly recommend the venue and, of course, do try and catch Sir Elton on his tour.
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