Elton John excited to headline Rock in Rio, eager to create more commercial record

Elton John may have bid farewell to touring, but that doesn’t mean he’s done performing live. According to Variety, he has already done 11 private shows this year and a few public ones, including a show at the London Palladium alongside Brandi Carlile. Looking ahead to 2026, Elton is set to headline the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil on September 7.

In an Instagram video, Elton expressed his motivation for taking on the gig in Brazil, stating that he felt he had let down his Brazilian fans by not including the country on his farewell tour. He reassured fans that he is preparing for a “fantastic show” and that he is eagerly anticipating the performance.

Beyond his live performances, Elton is excited about returning to the studio to work on his next album, following his Grammy-nominated collaboration with Brandi, “Who Believes In Angels?” He revealed to Variety that he is eager to start writing new songs, mentioning that he already has seven new lyrics from Bernie Taupin that he finds to be exceptional.

Elton emphasized the importance of creating music that resonates with the present musical landscape. While his collaboration with Brandi resulted in a timeless record, he expressed a desire to produce an album that reflects the current state of music. Elton shared his vision for a more commercially oriented album, featuring songs by Bernie Taupin that are relevant to today’s audience.

“The album with Brandi, it’s a timeless record, but it’s not of its time,” Elton explained. “We just wanted to make a record that we loved, with great songs. That was a yesterday record, and it was fantastic. But there is a part of me that wants to do a much more commercial record and do more Bernie Taupin songs that are more of today than yesterday.”

As Elton continues to evolve as an artist, his dedication to creating music that resonates with listeners remains unwavering. Fans can look forward to his upcoming performance at the Rock in Rio festival and eagerly await the release of his next album, which promises to be a reflection of contemporary musical trends.