Elton John Concert - Sept 14

We sat around and watched football games until it was time to drive into Vancouver.  We left Abbotsford about 4:00, and arrived to the car park (about a block from Rogers Arena) in time to go across the street for dinner at Moxie's.  We've eaten there before so knew it was good (but very loud). The restaurant is on the 2nd floor, and don't you know, the escalator was not working. We had to find the elevator to get upstairs.  Dawn probably could have made it, but we might still be eating dinner ;-).

We had a very nice meal and by the time we were finished, it was time to walk down the street to the arena to get our seats for the show.  The seats were great.  The door we walked in was very close to the section we were sitting (another stroke of luck), and on the same level as our seats (still another stroke of luck).  A quick bathroom visit, and then into our seats.  We were the only ones in our row when we entered, which was great because our seats were about the middle of the row (nice, because it wasn't likely there would be a lot of interruptions with people going out to the bathroom or to get something to eat or drink).  The seats were comfortable enough, but there wasn't a lot of leg room.  Dawn's knee bothered her a bit until we found a comfortable way for her to sit.

 


The show started at 8:00 with an opening act, Bright Light Bright Light; a small band (singer, drums, and keyboards) from Wales.  They were an Independent band who Elton John had elected to use for his show opening band, and they weren't bad.  Their music was a lot alike - they played 5 songs and then got off the stage to have it ready for the main act.

He came on stage after his band, at about 8:30, and started singing.  He was almost non-stop until 11:00.  It was a great show and one we very much enjoyed.  He played many of his oldies, and some of his new ones.  All of them were great.  It was very loud, but the show was spectacular.  The band was very tight, and all of them seemed to be enjoying themselves.  We were sitting in the 3rd level, but very close to the stage.  We sat on the side of the stage where his piano was located, and almost every time he finished a song and bowed (well, he doesn't really bow) to the crowd, it was mostly on our side of the arena.

The place was very loud and appreciative.  He/they did a great job.  We had (for us) fairly expensive tickets, but as Dawn said at the end, "it was worth it".

Getting out of the arena was a bit of a test.  We were close to the gate, but it seemed that most of the people wanted to go out the same gate.  Because there was construction just outside the door, the sidewalk was narrowed and it was VERY congested.  I was concerned that Dawn might be knocked over, but people were very well behaved.

The drive back to Abbotsford was uneventful, and we got in shortly after midnight.  Doug and Stella both had to work in the morning, so it was off to bed.