Elton John delivered a heartfelt message to fans at his last-ever South Island show.
The 75-year-old played to a sell-out crowd on Tuesday night, where he acknowledged the Christchurch earthquakes and 2019 terror attack.
It's the first time the Rocketman has played Christchurch in 33 years.
"Throughout the last few years you've gone through hell here," he told the crowd. "This is a very resilient city, it's a beautiful city."
The 27,000-strong crowd - with many flamboyant fans festooned in fabulous frocks - soaked in hit song after hit song.
Some of those who attended left it until the last minute to find their colourful clothing.
"A bit of colour going on. Yeah, literally found this in an op-shop about an hour ago," one concertgoer told Newshub.
"It might be the last time in New Zealand. That's why I'm looking forward to it. We missed him last time," another said.
The 75-year-old's presence has been three years in the making after his 2020 tour was cut short when he was diagnosed with walking pneumonia.
"Elton has unfinished business in Auckland. He wanted to specifically come back and do the last two shows," said tour manager DC Parmet.
Friday and Saturday's Auckland shows are on track for a sell-out.
"Over the three shows, we will end up doing somewhere between 90,000 to 100,000 people," Chugg Entertainment chair Michael Chugg.
Before the Rocketman blasts off from our shores for the final time.
