Elton John’s A Day on the Green concert cut short by torrential rain
Sir Elton John was forced to hastily retreat after the Day on the Green stage was lashed by wild weather, with hailstones and heavy rain pelting Rochford Wines after revellers sweltered through 40C heat. WATCH THE VIDEO
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Sir Elton John was forced to abandon his A Day on the Green show at the Yarra Valley on Friday night after torrential rain flooded the stage.
The music icon was playing his 1973 opus “Funeral For A Friend” 95 minutes into his concert at Rochford Wines — ironically with video of thunderstorms playing behind him — when the rain and hail set in.
At first, the crowd cheered at the raindrop relief, after sweltering in 40C temperatures for the first hour of the show.
But the elation didn’t last long as Sir Elton’s assistants swept in with capes and ponchos to cover the superstar, then led him away from the stage.
— Were you there? Email news@heraldsun.com.au
Earlier in the set, Sir Elton commented on the scorching heat and humidity.
“It’s f---ing hot,” he said to wild applause. “Thank you for buying a ticket to the show. We love doing it, even though it’s hot.”
Fifteen minutes after Elton left the stage, promoter Michael Chugg said the storm had shorted the electrics on stage.
He asked punters to hold on to their tickets for a rescheduled show at a future date.
Event organisers issued a statement, saying Saturday night’s show would go ahead as planned.
“Unfortunately due to tonight’s short but heavy downpour that occurred 95 minutes into Elton John’s set resulting in damage to musical instruments and monitors on stage, the show could not continue,” the statement said.
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“We too are upset about the impact of the weather on tonight’s show. Please hang on to your tickets to await further information.
“As soon as we have any further details we will let you know. At this stage tomorrow’s show is proceeding as planned.”
It comes as Saturday morning’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race people’s ride was nearly halved from 115km to 65km amid forecast wild weather.
Organisers are bracing for extreme conditions, including heavy rain, damaging winds and potential hail, urging riders to arrive prepared with wet weather clothing and supplies.