Elton John - Live in Ludwigshafen (June 2nd, 1984)

Elton John
Live in Südweststadion
Ludwigshafen, Germany
June 2nd, 1984
Broadcast Recording
Sound Quality: A
Attendance: 40,000
Special Event: SWF3 Festival

Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After performing in Sweden and France, Elton John and his band returned to Germany to headline an open-air festival in Ludwigshafen, sharing the bill with artists such as Howard Jones, Joan Baez, Gianna Nannini, and the most notable of the night, Depeche Mode. Despite the impressive lineup, it was Elton who closed the event as the headlining act, performing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 40,000 attendees. Earlier that day, Elton reportedly spent time chatting with the band members (of Depeche Mode), and according to a feature in the German magazine Bravo, he expressed a particular fondness for Depeche Mode's “People Are People,” calling it his absolute favorite hit. The atmosphere was described as calm and welcoming—a serene meeting among the artists.

Vocally, Elton delivers a mostly solid performance throughout the night, although there are moments where vocal strain and fatigue become apparent. The band, however, is in top form, with bassist Dee Murray standing out for his inventive playing and tasteful arrangements.

The concert opens with a powerful rendition of "Tiny Dancer," where Elton’s falsettos are steady and the vocals sharp. "Hercules" follows, holding its ground although not as commanding as other versions from the same tour. A brief technical issue with the guitar delays the next song. "Rocket Man" sees Elton stumble on the lyrics during the second chorus, but the extended improvisational section compensates with strong vocal and instrumental interplay. "Daniel" remains steady, while "Restless" shifts into a more aggressive and saturated tone, both musically and vocally. A trimmed version of "Candle in the Wind" omits its final choruses, creating a slightly unusual structure. "The Bitch Is Back" kicks off with a fierce growl from Elton, though hints of vocal fatigue can be detected. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” holds up well vocally, even if some lines show signs of strain. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” stands out as one of the best of the night, with focused and resonant vocals. "Bennie and the Jets" impresses, thanks in part to Elton’s dynamic piano work. "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" is beautifully rendered, both vocally and instrumentally, with Murray's bass lines sounding rich and articulate.

“Philadelphia Freedom” bursts with energy and vocal strength, while “Blue Eyes” offers a gentle moment in the set. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" begins with noticeable vocal effort, yet ultimately delivers a steady performance. “Kiss the Bride” features a lyrical misstep early on, but recovers quickly, with Murray once again enhancing the song’s texture through his playing. On “One More Arrow,” Elton sounds slightly tired, especially during the softer passages, occasionally switching to chest voice instead of falsetto, and forgets a line in the second chorus. “Too Low for Zero” has a rocky start, with a piano glitch and some loss of control in the chorus, but it still manages to land as a competent version. “I’m Still Standing” comes through as strong, though Elton’s fatigue becomes more evident here. “Your Song” remains touching and slightly refreshed, with a subtly altered piano introduction. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” is performed at a blistering pace, with Elton adopting a sharper, more aggressive tone. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” holds up well, even as vocal fatigue resurfaces, with Elton maintaining falsettos and phrasing similar to the Sydney show from the same year. “Crocodile Rock” is playful and energetic, with excellent synth work by Fred Mandel. The concert comes to a close with “Song for Guy.”

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 6:21
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 11:53
4. Daniel - 21:23
5. Restless - 25:11
6. Candle In The Wind - 29:41
7. The Bitch Is Back - 33:30
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 37:35
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 43:07
10. Bennie And The Jets - 46:49
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 57:50
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:01:16
13. Blue Eyes - 1:06:14
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:09:07
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:12:34
16. One More Arrow - 1:17:03
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:21:12
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:27:07
19. Your Song - 1:32:40
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:36:28
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:44:29
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:47:17
23. Song For Guy - 1:51:22