Elton John Live Concert in São Paulo — Arena Anhembi, January 17, 2009

On January 17, 2009, Elton John brought his Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits tour to Arena Anhembi in São Paulo, Brazil, performing for nearly 30,000 fans. The concert opened with a set from British singer James Blunt, before Elton took the stage at approximately 10:02 p.m.

A light drizzle greeted the beginning of the show, but the rain cleared during “Rocket Man,” creating a memorable moment as the crowd joined in. Elton then delivered a more-than-two-hour performance spanning decades of hits and fan favorites, showcasing his distinctive piano playing and powerful vocals.

While some attendees reported limited visibility and relatively low sound levels, particularly in the VIP area, the atmosphere remained celebratory. For Brazilian fans, the opportunity to see one of rock and pop’s most enduring performers live made the night a memorable stop on Elton’s legendary touring career.

Setlist

1. Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
2. The Bitch Is Back
3. Madman Across the Water
4. Tiny Dancer
5. Levon
6. Believe
7. Take Me to the Pilot
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
9. Daniel
10. Rocket Man
11. Honky Cat
12. Nikita
13. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
14. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
15. Candle in the Wind
16. Bennie and the Jets
17. Philadelphia Freedom
18. Sacrifice
19. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
20. I’m Still Standing
21. Crocodile Rock
22. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting

Encore:
23. Your Song