It has just been announced that Elton will play the Official Opening Concert of the Tower Festival Headland, Blackpool.
The open-air venue is situated opposite Blackpool’s famous tower and can hold up to 20,000 people. The concert on Saturday 16th June will be an all-seater affair. Tickets go on sale on Friday at 9am.
More information can be found at http://www.visitblackpool.com/events/music/elton-john
Elton in Blackpool
Elton’s only other live appearance in Blackpool came in 1982 when he did 2 nights at the Opera House. I have to say this has come as a surprise to me as I’d always assumed from David Nutter’s photos in It’s a Little Bit Funny that Elton had played the Tower Ballroom in 1976. Turns out he merely stopped in the town for some fish and chips. So, my standing in the Ballroom when I was about 12 being completely blown away by the fact Elton had played such a beautiful, intimate venue; that his piano had been on that very stage; and that his fans had packed the balconies above, was completely misguided!
Elton not in Blackpool
Still, while this large, open-air venue is unlikely to replicate any of the attributes of the Ballroom that bowled me over, it should at least offer a great view of the Tower and lungfuls of healthy sea air!
If anyone has any photos or information about the 1982 concerts at the Opera House please send them in as I’d love to see them.
