‘You’re in my head, heart and soul’: Elton John thanks fans at farewell show

Sir Elton John has told his fans they will remain in his “head, heart and soul” as he closed the final show of his big farewell tour in Sweden in spectacular fashion. The 76-year-old has been travelling around the globe performing his Farewell Yellow Brick Road show since 2018, and his second night at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm finally brought the 330-date run to a close. During the two-and-a-half-hour set he performed 23 of his hit songs and wore four dazzling costumes.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also sent a surprise message to thank the musician for all he has done for other artists throughout his career. In his flamboyant style, the singer donned a black suit jacket with red, blue and silver beading on the lapel alongside a red pair of his signature sunglasses as he took to the stage to open with Bennie And The Jets. Gay rights are going backwards in the US, says Elton John Read more After a rousing rendition of Philadelphia Freedom, he riled up the audience by waving and said: “Good evening Stockholm.

Well, this is it. “I’m very glad to be in Sweden and this beautiful country to end our Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour so we better make it a good show. Here we go,” before launching into I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.

During the two-and-a-half-hour set he performed 23 of his hit songs. Photograph: Caisa Rasmussen/AP Ahead of delivering a powerful rendition of his track Border Song, he dedicated it to the late Aretha Franklin, who covered the song in 1972, hailing her the “Queen Of Soul”. He followed it up with a vibrant performance of his hit song Tiny Dancer, Have Mercy On The Criminal and his classic Rocket Man.

An emotional rendition of Candle In The Wind was also among the setlist, which he performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 – adapting the lyrics to reflect her life. As Sir Elton returned after the interval sporting a white suit jacket with diamond-style trimming on the lapel paired with a blue sparkly pair of his signature sunglasses, his piano glided across the stage while he sat behind it. The singer took a moment during the show to thank his band and crew who have supported him on his marathon farewell tour, dedicating his song Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to them and his family.

The veteran musician said he had had a lot of supporting bands during his lengthy career, but hailed his current group as his “favourite” as he feels they “kick ass” every night. He closed the main set with an energy-fuelled rendition of Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting which saw golden confetti sprayed into the crowd and rained down upon the musical star. After chants of “encore” and “Oh Elton” could be heard ringing through the crowd, the singer ensured he would not disappoint as he returned to the stage in a black robe with red patterned detailing on the collar for a few more songs.

The singer’s signature sunglasses were in place. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA However, before he could sing Cold Heart, his collaboration track with Dua Lipa, Coldplay’s Chris Martin featured on the main screen in what appeared to be a video call from the middle of the rock band’s show in Gothenburg across the country. Martin said: “We want to say from all of us here, all the artists you’ve loved and inspired and helped – we love you so much, we’re so grateful for everything you’ve done for us.

” The singer also praised him for his work with his Aids foundation, supporting the LGBT community, for his contribution to the world of fashion and music alongside his band and his long-term songwriter Bernie Taupin. “We love you so much, happy retirement and we’re going to miss you so much,” he added. After an emotional rendition of Your Song and before his final track Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, he thanked his superfans who have seen him dozens and some hundreds of times, adding: “You have no idea how much that means to me.

” Elton John at Glastonbury review – bittersweet joy at the end of the yellow brick road Read more Reflecting on his life, he said: “I’ve had the most wonderful career, beyond belief. Fifty-two years of pure joy playing music, how lucky am I to play music? “But I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for you. You bought the singles, albums and CDs and, more importantly, you bought the tickets to the shows and you know how I love to play live.

“It’s been my lifeblood to play for you guys and you’ve been absolutely magnificent – thank you. “I will never forget you guys. I’ve played so many concerts, how could I forget? You’re in my head, and my heart and my soul and I thank you so much.

” He confirmed that he will “never be touring again”, but revealed he may do a “one-off thing” sometime in the future – adding that would be “miles away”. .