SIR Elton John’s yellow brick road will lead the legendary artist to Pokolbin in December, and the one-night-only performance is already being billed as the biggest to hit Hunter wine country.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Sir Elton’s performance at Hope Estate on Saturday, December 3, is the only NSW show scheduled for his summer tour, and is expected to bring thousands of fans and millions of tourism dollars to the vineyards.
Michael Hope, from Hope Estate, said the show would be bigger than Fleetwood Mac’s 2009 performance that brought an estimated $13.3million to the Hunter.
‘‘It’s huge for the Hunter,’’ Mr Hope said.
‘‘This is the first major artist that I know of that’s done a Hunter show without a Sydney show.
‘‘The flow on is that it fills all the accommodation in the area.’’
Mr Hope said that while the area would reap huge benefits from the expected weekend visitors, the road network was in drastic need of an upgrade.
‘‘The roads still need some serious money to be spent and tend to clog up,’’ he said.
Marking his 15th tour of Australia, Elton John & His Band will begin the national run of dates on Wednesday, November 30, in Brisbane before heading to Pokolbin.
After Hope Estate, the show heads south to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, then onwards to Adelaide’s Cooper Brewery before closing in Perth at Burswood Dome on Sunday, December 11.
The flamboyant superstar performed his first concert in the Hunter Valley in his 40-year career in December 2007 at Tempus Two winery.
Chugg Entertainment, which was behind the last Australian tour, will bring Sir Elton back to the Hunter.
The music man has been known to make special requests during his tours including having loads of red roses brought into venues for his dressing rooms.
Having sold over 250 million albums worldwide, Sir Elton is known for hits such as Rocket Man, Candle in the Wind, Your Song as well as Crocodile Rock. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 24, through Ticketek.
