Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Elton John announces UK dates of farewell tour

The singer will play concerts in Hove and Cardiff

Jack Shepherd
Friday 07 September 2018 05:17 EDT
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Elton John has announced the first UK dates of what's been labelled his final tour.

The "Rocket Man" singer will kick off the three-year, 300 date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour with a show in Allentown, Pennsylvania, this Saturday (8 September).

Elton will reach the UK on the 9 June 2019, where he'll play the 1st Central County Ground in Hove followed by Cardiff City Stadium in Wales on 15 June.

"I am very happy to announce the launch of my UK Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour with concerts in Hove and Cardiff," he said.

He continued: "The audiences in the south coast and Wales have always been some of the most welcoming and exciting I have played in front of over the past 42 years and the band and I are so excited to say goodbye in the most fantastic way. It's going to be amazing!"

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will consist of more than 300 shows across five continents. The singer will visit North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia before the tour reaches its conclusion in 2021.

Sir Elton announced his farewell tour in January, when he said his "priorities have changed", adding that he and husband David Furnish's two sons, Elijah and Zachary, had transformed their lives.

"In 2015 we sat down with a school schedule and I thought I don't want to miss too much of this. My life has changed, my priorities have changed and my priority now is my family."

He promised to go out with a "big bang" adding it would be "the most fantastic show [he's] ever done".

He said making the decision "wasn't a hard struggle because I love my kids so much and they have taken over my life and are the most important thing".

"I have had a good run," he added, during the press conference in New York which he opened with a performance of "Tiny Dancer" and "I'm Still Standing".

His two sons will join him for a section of the tour as he revealed they would be taken out of school for nine months.

Asked if he could later reconsider his decision, Sir Elton vowed he wouldn't "do a Cher", declaring: "This is the end." He's promised he will continue writing music and working creatively.

He also floated the idea of replicating a residency similar to Kate Bush's 22 dates at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2014.

Tickets for the shows go on general sale on September 14 at 10am with pre-sale starting at 10am on September 10.

Additional reporting by agencies.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in