Elton John: Classic Concert Series

Week 6 – THE GREAT AMPHITHEATRE, EPHESUS – 2001

Elton walks on to the oldest stage he has ever played (built circa 200 BC) and invites the audience to join him in one of the most intimate performances he has ever given. Everything about this concert is the opposite of what most people think of when they bring Elton to mind: his wardrobe is sedate, his staging virtually nonexistent, no wild spectacles or platform shoes… Nor, for that matter, a band – just the piano player and his instrument, revealing in sublime simplicity that it’s really all about the songs. And tonight, we get to enjoy 20 of these, from his vast collection of hits (at one point, Elton jumps a decade at a time by playing Philadelphia Freedom, Nikita and Sacrifice in sequence) to This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore, a song that would not be released for another two months. A summer’s evening well spent, most certainly.

We’ve heard your feedback, so to ensure more people have the opportunity to watch the worldwide premiere, this week’s instalment of the Classic Concert Series will premiere on Friday, August 7 at 12pm (LA) / 3pm (NY) / 8pm (LDN).

The show will then be live for a full 7 days to rewatch on YouTube.

Elton to launch a special archival concert series streaming exclusively on YouTube

The Elton John: Classic Concert Series features some of Elton’s most monumental concerts. Beginning this Friday, July 3 at 9 AM (LA) / 12 PM (NY) / 5 PM (LDN) exclusively on YouTube, the series will premiere with Live at the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh from 1976 – available digitally for the first time ever only for 72 hours.

The Elton John: Classic Concert Series is running in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund to continue HIV prevention and care for the most vulnerable people around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can donate on YouTube whilst watching the show.

My Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund helps frontline partners prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalised communities. We cannot jeopardise HIV testing and care during this time or else the results could be disastrous for the 37.5 million people living with HIV. So, I’m really happy to connect this YouTube concert series to benefit our Foundation’s urgent COVID response.
Elton John

Recorded as part of the Edinburgh Festival of Popular Music on 17th September 1976, Live at the Playhouse Theatre gives fans an exhilarating view of Elton at the height of his ‘70s popularity, having just enjoyed his first UK #1 single with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. This electrifying solo performance kicks off with Skyline Pigeon (taken from Empty Sky) before ending with a riotous version of Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting). The setlist rips through classic after classic, including Rocket Man, Daniel and Bennie And The Jets. It was also the first time Elton performed Don’t Go Breaking My Heart solo. Climbing on his piano and stomping his way through this virtuoso performance, Elton leaves every ounce of himself on the stage, in a classic concert that was to be the last time he would perform a full show for another 7 months.

Watch the trailer now, and join us on Friday for the first concert of the series.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Yqcdpz5_EUk

Limited edition merch available

To honour the traditional concert experience, we’ve created a limited edition merch range to commemorate this special Classic Concert Series event.

Check out the new items in the Official Store now.

Official Store