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Elton John in Kent: traffic jams fail to spoil big night

Elton John received a rapturous reception tonight as he appeared in Kent for the first time since 2006.

The star appeared at the Kent Showground tonight, but not before fans had faced lengthy delays getting onto the car park at the venue.

And people leaving the show are now facing further huge delays with the A249 jammed in both directions, with some people abandoning their vehicles.

Elton on stage tonight. Picture by Martin Apps
Elton on stage tonight. Picture by Martin Apps

Elton took to the stage shortly after 7pm, opening his set with Funeral for a Friend from the Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road album.

Elton on stage. Picture: Martin Apps
Elton on stage. Picture: Martin Apps

It was a hit-heavy set, with some of the biggest cheers reserved for the classics Your Song and - played appropriately at sunset - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

Elton John went down a storm. Picture: Martin Apps
Elton John went down a storm. Picture: Martin Apps

It was a triumph for the veteran singer following an inauspicious start to the evening.

Thousands of people had faced huge delays on the approach to the venue as the A249 became jammed in both directions.

Elton on his feet to greet the crowd. Picture: Martin Apps
Elton on his feet to greet the crowd. Picture: Martin Apps

Some fans told KentOnline it had taken them up to three and a half hours to complete a journey that would normally take 30 minutes.

Thousands of fans gathered for Elton's first outdoor performance in over nine years. Picture: Martin Apps
Thousands of fans gathered for Elton's first outdoor performance in over nine years. Picture: Martin Apps

And there had been fears the show could be a wash-out as May appeared to be coming to a rainy end throughout the day.

Elton and band mid-flow. Picture: Martin Apps
Elton and band mid-flow. Picture: Martin Apps

But the sun came out at about 6pm, providing a huge lift to fans' spirits.

The sun came out as Elton hit the stage
The sun came out as Elton hit the stage
These fans made it to the venue on schedule
These fans made it to the venue on schedule

It was the singer's biggest outdoor concert in years since the one at the St Lawrence cricket ground in Canterbury in 2006.

Elton John
Elton John

However, the gig will be remembered for its traffic problems as much as Elton's set. Fans leaving the venue tonight described the traffic management as 'shambolic'.

Cars trying to leave the showground tonight
Cars trying to leave the showground tonight
blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">

@KentHighways Perhaps you could give @Kenteventcentre some training on how to get cars moving. Epic fail from Detling after #eltonjohn

— VT (@Tatts2007) May 31, 2015

Leave your comments on tonight's show below.

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