Elton John announces final tour on YouTube in VR180 bringing together fans around the world

Elton John has entertained us, moved us, and had an unparalleled career that has redefined the cultural landscape. His unforgettable hits -- “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Tiny Dancer” -- changed what it meant to be a singer-songwriter, catapulted him to global mega stardom, soundtracked our childhoods, and changed lives along the way. Now after more than half a century on the road, Elton announced details of his final tour, “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” via an exclusive VR180 livestream on YouTube.

Kicking off in the U.S. on September 8, 2018, the tour will consist of more than 300 shows across five continents before reaching its conclusion in 2021. Elton’s new stage production will take his fans on a musical and highly visual journey spanning a 50-year career of hits like no one has ever seen before.

The tour announcement was made at a marquee event at Gotham Hall in New York City, simultaneously transmitted to Troubadour in L.A. and YouTube Space London. And thanks to YouTube’s exclusive VR180 livestream, fans all around the world were part of the action and revisited some of the defining moments that set Elton on his unstoppable path to global superstardom.

Elton John is always up for doing things differently, using the latest technology to help him defy space and time, connecting his past and future. Last year, Elton's YouTube-supported “The Cut” gave undiscovered talent the chance to create the first-ever official music videos for three of his iconic hits, and now his final farewell tour announcement takes experimentation to the next level - livestreaming in VR.

Check out VR360 video from the event at youtube.com/eltonjohn and additional event footage including two live performances, a Q&A with Anderson Cooper, and “Behind The Scenes” videos in VR180 tracking Elton's journey, supported by YouTube, will be available in the coming days.

For more info on the tour, go to EltonJohn.com.

Vivien Lewit, Global Head of Artist Services at YouTube