The Day Elton came to town

3:37pm Monday 7th July 2008

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Not really a fan of Elton John or Richard Fleeshman I wasn't too sure what I was going to expect of the concert but it was the biggest event to happen in Darlington and my Mum had bought me the ticket so I had to go!

With living so close we knew that there were a lot apprehensions from people in the surrounding area regarding the noise and the mass of people that were going to be surrounding the area, the council had organised a park and ride service and a lot of other people had walked to the concert as well. Darlington Football club had everything pretty well organised with the different entrances and a lot of stewards to help out if anyone needed it. The road outside the arena had been blocked off once the concert had finished also allowing concert go-ers to easily make their way out of the arena, however once most of the people reached the entrance to Nature Reserve Geneva Woods traffic was stopped under the little bridge way by people walking on the road.

I wasn't sure what our seats were going to be like as we'd bought tickets on the D block of the pitch; however there was quite a clear view of the stage and the two large screens. The sun actually came out after a morning of pouring down rain so the crowd were in luck for when Richard Fleeshman came on stage.

I have to admit that I was apprehensive about Richard Fleeshman because I only knew of him as what the crowd kept to keep saying "That one from Coronation Street!" However when he began singing I couldn't quite believe how good he was! He sung a variety of songs from his upcoming album which is out on 12th July, Richard has already released his debut album "Neon" back in 2007.

Richard sung a slowed down cover of Newton Faulkner's "Dream Catch Me" which sounded amazing. My presumption of what he was going to be like completely changed my idea of him. Richard finished the set with another good song however, everyone in the arena must have felt specks of rain because the whole arena seemed to spring up to put their jackets, poncho's and even bin bags on, this is where my Mum whipped out two matching blue waterproof outfits for me and my sister which created a huge laugh from the surrounding area as we posed for pictures.

Sir Elton John came on stage 15 minutes later pointing out to the crowd and saying Thank you to the audience before beginning the show. I wasn't sure how many of his songs I was going to know so I sat and watched and began to slowly get into the songs knowing a few choruses and the odd lyric. Singing hits like Bennie and the Jets, Crocodile Rock, Are you ready for love? , Daniel, Candle in the wind, Saturday and finally finishing with Your Song, the atmosphere in the arena was electric, everyone seemed to be on a buzz from the concert, the stewards who'd had a hard time keeping aisles clear for people to walk through relaxed more and were walking round singing along to the eclectic tunes that Elton was singing, one even wearing a pink feather bower that someone had given to him. People were dancing in the aisles and what was the nicest thing that I saw was a twenty something year old man jiving with an old lady just in front of me in the aisle. There was a large variety in age in the audience which I thought was amazing, Elton had brought everyone together in Darlington.

Returning to the stage for his encore Elton went to the front of the stage and began to sign people's merchandise and continued to thank the crowd and the football club for such a wonderful evening. The event ended on a highand I'm sure Darlington would welcome Elton back, very soon.

Jessica Hopper