I think this is the first spoiler I have written.....
Wednesday night at SIU arena was one of the best Elton concerts I've seen. A very small, quaint 1960's-era venue on the campus of Southern Illinois University, it looked exactly like a large high-school gymnasium. Some of the seats were actually wooden bleachers. The most it appeared to hold was about 6500 people, and there were several large areas where extra chairs could have been placed, but weren't, since the show was not sold out.
The floor only had 30 rows, and the stage was not nearly as wide as at the other shows I have seen on this tour. Amazing and unusual that Elton chose to perform at this arena, in such an out-of-the-way place, not very close to any "major" city. Due to its obscurity and being a weeknight, I did not spot ANY of the usual Regheads in the audience, so I felt like I was on another planet. Adding to this show's charm was the fact that tickets were not sold by Ticketmaster; the tickets were the old-fashioned raised-print type that I have not seen since 1984!
The set list was the same as for Iowa City, except Friends was dropped, unfortunately. Elton's keyboard technique was absolutely perfect: Tonight and Sacrifice were exceptionally outstanding. After I Don't Wanna....., people were allowed to go stand up at the front of the stage for the remainder of the show.
What made the show even more special was that I was able to attend with a very dear friend who I love and respect so much.... one who truly deserves a spot in the front row, not the 22nd row....
Thanks to Elton for letting us experience his amazing talent, and to those who made it possible for me to attend !!!!
Sharon
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