43
Elton John announces 3rd concert at Covelli Centre
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
This is getting to be a habit.
For the third time in six years, Elton John will make a stop at Covelli Centre. The March 22 concert was announced Thursday.
By all accounts, the British rock legend kind of likes the place. He played the downtown arena in 2010 and 2014.
Covelli Centre always punches above its weight when it comes to concerts, hosting country, rock and rap stars on a regular basis. The modern arena holds about 6,000 for concerts, making it attractive to acts looking to play smaller markets.
But three visits by a rock icon of Sir Elton’s caliber is unusual.
The global superstar still maintains a heavy schedule; he has about 60 concerts scheduled worldwide between December and July, including two multinight runs in Las Vegas. John also will release a new album, “Wonderful Crazy Night,” on Feb. 5.
John has a two-week run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in late January, followed by a jaunt to Europe in February.
A nine-city tour of smaller U.S. cities in March will bring him to Youngstown and other similar-sized markets, including Estero, Fla.; Mobile, Ala.; Columbus, Ga.; Roanoke, Va.; and Charlottesville, Va.
Livenation was the promoter for all three Covelli Centre appearances.
“We are very excited to be bringing Elton John back to Youngstown and the Covelli Centre,” said Megan Ditton, a Cleveland-based official with Livenation. “He really likes the building and Youngstown, and the venue and market love him.”
In a news release announcing the concert, John said: “I remember Youngstown fondly from my first-ever visit in 2010, and this concert will give me a chance to say thank you to my fans here who have been so faithful over the decades. It’s always important for me to bring my music to everyone.”
Eric Ryan, director of Covelli Centre, was elated that the piano man would be returning.
“I’ve been told in the past that he enjoyed both of his shows here,” said Ryan. “He loved the energy and the acoustics of the building. Obviously, to come back to a smaller market three times also speaks volumes about the crowd and how well the shows went.”
Tickets for the March 22 concert at Covelli are $26, $76 and $136, and go on sale Dec. 11.
The 2010 and 2014 concerts sold out in a flash. But Ryan is not worried that overfamiliarity will dampen sales for the upcoming Youngstown concert.
“Demand was so high for the first two that a lot of people didn’t get to see him,” said Ryan. “People who haven’t seen him in the past will get another opportunity. Plus, many people went to both of the first two shows, and if you came to the first or the second show, you might want to come to the third, too.”
John will play his classic hits on the upcoming tour. His concerts typically near three hours in length and do not have an opening act.
Joining him on the tour will be longtime bandmates Nigel Olsson on drums and Davey Johnstone on guitar, as well as Canton native John Mahon on percussion, Kim Bullard on keyboards and Matt Bissonette on bass.