Review: Dressed in a colours-of-the-rainbow jacket, Sir Elton John proved he’s still got it at Portman Road gig

Sir Elton John performing at Portman Road football ground. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

And yes, Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, can still belt out a good song.

Dressed from top to toe in a knee-length colours-of-the-rainbow jacket, laced with sequins, and purple trousers, he and his five-piece band rocked the night at the home of Ipswich Town Football Club.

Thousands of people filled the stands to listen to the many familiar tunes along with new ones from his Wonderful Crazy Night album during his two-hour show.

“Hello Ipswich,” he declared after coming on stage and performing The Bitch Is Back and Benny and the Jets.

Sisters Tina West, Mandy Holmes and Beverley Brightmore before the Elton John concert. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

“I didn’t think I would be saying that again,” he added after confessing he had only played two other football stadiums more than once...Watford and Wembley.

The concert coincided to the day that 50 years ago Elton was introduced to his lyricist and long term friend Bernie Taupin when he answered an advert in the New Music Express, the famed British pop music weekly.

And Elton wasn’t going to let that go unnoticed.

He also paid tribute to George Michael who died over Christmas by performing Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me and to those who were killed in the London and Manchester terror attacks and the victims of the Grenfell tower block fire by singing I Want Love.

“It’s been an awful few weeks and all I can do is to say how upset and shocked I was...a balance needs to be shifted from the haves to the have nots,” he said, which drew rapturous applause.

He and his band looked to be loving every second of their concert and they all looked oh so comfortable performing many of his hits which included Daniel, Philadelphia Freedom, I Want Love, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Have Mercy On The Criminal, Sad Songs (Say So Much), Your Song, I’m Still Standing, Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.

And he came back on stage for his encore the iconic Candle In The Wind.