Fan report by Marcel Zürcher.

This week we've had the chance to see Elton and the band twice. First, there was the show in the Innercastle of Thurn and Taxis, Regensburg. First, the show was announced as a solo concert, which has changed a few weeks ago to an Elton & Band gig, but it went to an unforgettable event.

The audience was seated on one big tribune, so everyone had a great view from every single place. At 8:00 pm bass virtuoso Jacques Bono entered the stage and performed several songs and pieces, e.g. Bach, solo on his bass. At the side of the tribune we saw Matt Bissonette, who was visibly inspired.

After a 35-minutes-break, Elton and the band entered the stage at 9:0 pm. The guys and the audience were in a great mood. As Kim and Matt animated to clap at the beginning of "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Hey Ahab", the whole audience did. Elton played another incredible solo at the end of "Levon". "Rocket Man" received a new 3-minutes-classical-meets-boogie-intro (which was not the same in Regensburg and Lörrach), similar to earlier "Take Me To The Pilot"-intros. Also the slower part of the show, which included "The One", "Sorry Seems" and "Your Song", went amazing with the crowd.

But it was THAT one special moment during the Regensburg show: When the last chords of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" were played, the whole audience jumped up together and didn't sit down until the finish, they also stayed during "Circle of Life" / "Can You Feel The Love Tonight". That big party at the end during the rockers was enthusiastic and gave us goosebumps. Just awesome!

During the next day, we drove 500 kilometres back to the next concert station, Loerrach, near from our home country Switzerland. This concert was played on the market place in front of 5,000 people. Before the show, we've had the chance to give some interviews to the local TV station SWR, which was broadcasted the next evening and was a lot of fun. The crowd was in a good mood again. The whole audience clapped after the second "Love Lies Bleeding"-chorus, that was one of the great moments. After "Candle in the Wind" he welcomed us and said to the people on the balconies: "Have a drink on me. Or two." When "Rocket Man" was finished, he excused us for a little break, meanwhile 2Cellos were playing a tune for us. So they started with an energetic "Smooth Criminal". The audience went crazy. Elton wasn't back, so 2Cellos started with "With or Without You". During the second half, Elton came in and joined them on the piano, also the band did. As he began playing "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", the sound failed after a few lines. Elton started directly again into the song – it all went well.

As he introduced the band, he gave John, Kim and Matt three new names, he called John "Elma Pigstyle". During the first verse of "The Bitch is Back", Elton went too early to the chorus, but he realized, the band played some chords, Elton then started with the second part of the first chorus and said "Sorry for that one" and smiled to the band.

Before playing the "Lion King" songs, Elton said sorry, that he was feeling bad, but he hoped that they made enough to make us happy. The crowd gave him a loud applause.

The only difference in case of the setlist was that he played "Crocodile Rock" in Loerrach. Thank you Elton and Band for two superb nights of entertaining.

Following is the complete set list of the Regensburg & Loerrach show on July 22 & 23, 2014:

1. Funeral For A Friend
   
2. Love Lies Bleeding
   
3. Bennie and the Jets
   
4. Candle in the Wind
   
5. Grey Seal
   
6. Levon
   
7. Tiny Dancer
   
8. Philadelphia Freedom
   
9. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
   
10. Rocket Man
    
11. Smooth Criminal [2Cellos, only in Loerrach]
    
12. With or Without You [2Cellos feat. EJ & Band, only in Loerrach]
    
13. Hey Ahab
    
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
    
15. The One (Elton solo)
    
16. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
    
17. Your Song
    
18. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
    
19. All The Girls Love Alice
    
20. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
    
21. The Bitch is Back
    
22. I'm Still Standing
    
23. Your Sister Can't Twist But She Can Rock'n'Roll
    
24. Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
    
    
25. Circle of Life / Can You Feel The Love Tonight
    
26. Crocodile Rock [only in Loerrach]

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