East Anglian Daily Times

Saturday night's alright for pop legend Sir Elton John, playing Ipswich Town's Portman Road next summer
Archant The Grammy, Tony, Oscar and BRIT award winner performs on June 17 as part of his worldwide Wonderful Crazy Night Tour. Nearly two years ago the singer-songwriter played Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium. It was his first ever performance in Colchester and he was also the first to hold a concert at the venue. He last sang at the home of the Blues in June 2004. Ian Milne, managing director of Ipswich Town Football Club , said: “We’re delighted here at Ipswich Town to be hosting one of the biggest entertainers in the world in Sir Elton John . I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion for the thousands who will be at Portman Road on the night.” It’s been a great year for Sir Elton, who has sold more than 250million records worldwide during his career. Critics loved his 33rd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night. He’s amazed audiences across the UK with his live show, which ended with a headline performance at London’s Hyde Park for BBC Radio 2. The tour, full of his trademark showmanship, has so far been called “a hit parade of peerless pomp”, with reviewers raving about “the maestro’s unbridled raison d’etre of showbiz classicist... sits somewhere between Liberace and Mozart” and “every song was note perfect, packed with the kind of energy that belies his years”. Tina Turner (1990) Status Quo (1991) Rod Stewart (1991 and 2007) Bryan Adams (1992) Dire Straits (1992) Sir Elton John, with James Blunt as support (2004) Neil Diamond (2005) R.E.M, with support from The Zutons (2005) Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006) Pink (2010) Barry Manilow (2014) One of this country’s biggest pop-culture exports, Sir Elton has more than 4,000 performances under his belt since embarking on his first tour in 1970. He’s performed at many of the world’s most recognisable venues, including a pair of residencies at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Last night he performed at the annual Apple Music Festival . The Portman Road gig on Saturday, June 17, next year will see him perform tracks from Wonderful Crazy Night, as well as best-known hits from his stellar career. Councillor Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council’s portfolio holder for culture and leisure, added: “This is great news. I first saw Sir Elton at the Birmingham Hippodrome when I was 16 and well remember the excitement when he came to Ipswich in 2004. The town is a superb venue for big names and I’m sure thousands will come to see him.” Others acts that have played Portman Road include Tina Turner (1990), Status Quo (1991), Rod Stewart (1991 and 2007), Bryan Adams (1992), Dire Straits (1992), Sir Elton John, with James Blunt as support (2004); Neil Diamond (2005), R.E.M, with support from The Zutons (2005); Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006), Pink (2010) and Barry Manilow (2014). Tickets go on sale at 10am, Friday, September 23, from Ticketmaster , Amazon tickets , See tickets , Axs , Ticket Factory , Gigantic and Ticketline . Local ticket sellers will be announced shortly. Were you at Sir Elton’s 2004 gig or any of the other shows? Email your memories and photos

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