Sir Elton John showcased his favourite new artists as he kicked off the Apple Music Festival 10 in London on Sunday (18.09.16).
The 69-year-old musical legend didn’t have a support act for the show at the Roundhouse in Camden, but instead invited Rosie Lowe, Parker Millsap, Gallant and Christine and the Queens to share the stage with him during his near-two hour set.
Each of the acts performed one of their own songs, backed by Elton on piano, before sharing vocals on one of his classic hits, with Gallant’s impressive falsetto on ‘Benny and the Jets’ a particular highlight, while 2016 breakout star Christine and the Queens rendition of her own ‘Tilted’ – before singing ‘Tiny Dancer’ – was met with cheers and wild dancing from the packed-out crowd.
Elton also performed some of his own new music, with a few tracks from his latest LP ‘Wonderful Crazy Night’ interspersed with classic sing-a-long hits such as ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’, ‘Your Song’ and ‘Crocodile Rock’.
He ended his set with a rousing rendition of ‘Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting’, for which he invited his four guests back on stage.
The ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ singer – who frequently plays new artists on his own ‘Rocket Hour’ show on Apple’s Beats 1 radio – admitted he loves discovering new artists.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Monday (19.09.16), he said: "When I hear new music – and there is a lot of it around – it keeps me young and on my toes.
"I know all the great music, it’s all in my head but when you hear something new and that is so great, it really does inspire me."
The Apple Music Festival continues until September 30 with performances from the likes of The 1975, Britney Spears, Calvin Harris, Michael Buble, Alicia Keys and Robbie Williams.
And Elton is very impressed with the quality of the "very diverse" line-up that will be performing at the 10th anniversary of the free event.
He said: "I listen to their records. It’s a very diverse bill and that is what Apple Festival is about and that is what it should be about. Diversity.
"It’s all about the songs really. That keeps you in the forefront.
"There are all really good artists and great songwriters, proper artists and not top 10 c**p artists."
For those who were unavailable to catch Elton in person, the show – and the rest of the festival gigs – is available live and on-demand to Apple Music members in 100 countries.
Elton John shares stage with new artists
