Elton John - Live in Belfast (June 15th, 1984) - 2025 UPGRADE

Elton John
Live in The King's Hall
Belfast, Northern Ireland
June 15th, 1984
Audience Recording (Mike Lowry)
Sound Quality: B+ / B
Attendance: 6,000

Photo cortesy of ‪@EltonStuff‬, credits to him
Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After the turbulent final night in Milan, Elton John performed at the King’s Hall in Belfast, where he appeared more grounded and free from outside dependencies. His voice was in excellent shape throughout most of the evening, showing remarkable control, while the band played with tight cohesion. Elton also adjusted the setlist slightly to extend the concert, bringing back Song for Guy and reintroducing the Rock ’n’ Roll medley he had dropped at the end of 1982, the latter remaining part of the show until the close of the European tour.

The evening opened with Tiny Dancer, where Elton’s voice was clear and polished, without any trace of roughness, setting the tone for the night. Hercules carried strong energy, with Elton handling its demanding vocal phrasing skillfully, and Davey Johnstone adding a sharp edge on guitar. Rocket Man was solid, though its improvisational section felt somewhat restrained. Daniel stood out as one of the most convincing renditions of the tour, while Restless brought a raw, forceful delivery from Elton that matched the song’s intensity. Candle in the Wind built into a powerful climax, showcasing his strength at the end. The Bitch Is Back came across fiery and aggressive, driven not only by Elton’s vocals but also by the band’s punchy performance. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me was another highlight, Elton sounding disciplined yet expressive, blending smooth passages with more demanding moments. Sad Songs (Say So Much) was delivered with an assertive phrasing that gave it extra bite. Bennie and the Jets offered a well-controlled vocal approach and playful improvisation, while Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word was tender and effective. Curiously, Philadelphia Freedom showed Elton slightly off-pitch throughout, possibly due to technical issues with his monitors.

Blue Eyes was performed gracefully, followed by a confident I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues. Kiss the Bride burst with energy, Elton taking on a sharper vocal style. One More Arrow proved to be one of the evening’s finest moments, close to the phrasing of the studio version, with Elton gliding across the notes more delicately instead of pushing them with force. Too Low for Zero was equally strong, enhanced by decorative touches on piano. I’m Still Standing brought high energy and a bold vocal tone, leading into a heartfelt singalong of Your Song, with the audience joining in enthusiastically. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) carried its usual punch, though Elton’s delivery was slightly less powerful than in other performances. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was steady, highlighted by falsettos, while Dee Murray added his own subtle improvisations. Crocodile Rock featured some standout bass work from Dee, with Elton sounding in top form. Song for Guy became a memorable moment as the audience clapped along with the rhythm, and the evening came to a close with the Rock ’n’ Roll medley of Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On, I Saw Her Standing There, and Twist and Shout.

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 6:43
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 12:02
4. Daniel - 21:31
5. Restless - 25:37
6. Candle In The Wind - 30:17
7. The Bitch Is Back - 34:11
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 38:28
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 44:07
10. Bennie And The Jets - 48:13
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 59:08
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:02:57
13. Blue Eyes - 1:08:04
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:11:05
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:14:39
16. One More Arrow - 1:19:19
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:23:37
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:29:34
19. Your Song - 1:34:55
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:38:48
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:46:08
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:49:04
23. Song For Guy - 1:54:04
24. Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On / I Saw Her Standing There / Twist And Shout - 1:59:37