Elton throws a party at Henley Festival revisting his best throughout the decades

Henley Festival 2016

Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th July 2016
on the river banks, Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1AH, England MAP
from £35 depending upon event

Daily capacity: 6,000

The festival goers at Henley are a different class of festival goer,the event is billed as formal dress so the attendees are dressed in their best garb. The highlight of tonight is the unmistakable Elton John. His portraits adorned the grounds showing Elton at his party hosting his best throughout the decades.

around the festival site: Henley Festival 2016

Elton came out in an martial art inspired outfit to the suitably titled 'The Bitch Is Back'. His voice is still very good despite his 69 years. What follows is a crowd pleasing set, full of classics from his back catalogue. With the recent demise of pop greats such as Bowie (whom passed at the same age as John)and Prince each one of these concerts seems a little bit more precious. Songs performed included 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Tiny Dancer' and 'Yellow Brick Road'. John's enthusiasm and technically skill cannot be doubted, the piano is jamming away and the spectators are happily singing along note for note.

Songs that particularly inspired an reaction from the fans: 'Rocket Man', from the moment the first few bars of music played out the punters were in heaven and of course the legendary 'Your Song'. Although covered in recent years by Ellie Golding, Elton is the only one that can 'sing' this song, stirring a reaction from the crowds soul. Couples were, singing and looking into each one another's eyes. Corny? Maybe. But a beautiful moment? Definitely.

Elton John: Henley Festival 2016

There were some up tempo moments too. Elton performed some new songs from his current album 'Wonderful, Crazy Night'. This LP has been biled as a return to his original early seventies style. His enthusiasm takes over the corwd and encourages a gleeful reaction not often seen from new music.

Elton John will play Hyde Park in September for Radio two. This triumphant concert shows that the man is well and truly 'Still standing'.

review by: Jason Richardson

photos by: Jason Richardson