Looking back: Elton John at the County Ground in Taunton

HE came, it rained, he conquered – Sir Elton John’s return to Taunton’s County Ground after six years was as entertaining as it was wet.

Tension in the heavens and on the streets was almost palpable in the build-up to the gig as a tide of fans converged on the County Ground, scene of Elton’s triumphant 2006 concert.

With bags packed full of sun cream and waterproofs, the crowds shuffled uneasily down the closed roads like middle class zombies, casting their eyes fearfully towards a threatening, dark grey sky above.

‘Don’t let the rain fall down on me’, someone sang – but it was halfhearted cheerfulness.

By contrast, inside the ground, the towering stage was an awesome sight and the atmosphere buzzed in anticipation.

Slightly behind schedule at about 6.40pm, Croatian duo 2Cellos – Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser – took to the stage and sent some warming bass notes thudding out into the arena with a skilful, electric cello version of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.

Then followed a more haunting With Or Without You by U2 and a rousing Purple Haze by Jimmy Hendrix. And by now it was tipping down with rain.

Subtly, the cellists were joined on stage by more band members until the opening bars of Saturday Night’s All Right for Fighting were heard.

As the crowd clocked Elton’s tune, excitement built and suddenly, out of the downpour, the music legend was there, sloping on to stage in trademark red glasses and a black and red sequined outfit.

Cue the first battles between thousands of pairs of hips – instinctively getting their owners up on their feet for a boogie – and the stewards’ sit-down-or-you’ll spoil-the-view policy and, for the time being, most bums were returned to wet seats.

During the ensuing Bennie and the Jets, it became crystal clear to anyone not wearing full waterproofs that they were underdressed and were going to suffer. People in tight jeans hastily made for the hand dryers in the loos.

‘Good evening, Taunton – welcome to summer’, said Elton …

After a lower key period and some lesser-known tracks, the set list returned to familiar territory and Elton introduced Candle in the Wind saying ‘Here’s one I won’t be playing at the Jubilee concert tomorrow’.

The hint of controversy was a treat and the drenched audience warmed to Elton and his ageing but hyper-talented band. Many were also enjoying the spectacle of their pint glasses steadily refilling themselves in the rain.

The 1970s superstar seemed genuinely touched by the high spirits, despite the weather, and took time out to thank the more energetic sections of the audience.

There was no sign of any hangover from his recent illness and his forever-young voice was in fine form.

As the evening wore on and the hits kept coming, the stewards gave up asking people to sit down and it was time to party.

After a breathtaking two-hour plus set, Elton was introducing his band ready to close the show and, although the encore was brief, it was Your Song and it made the evening complete for many.

Encore, indeed – it was a coup for Taunton to host an act of this stature and this was one County Ground encounter where rain certainly didn’t stop play.