Music superstar Sir Elton John is ready to raise the roof at the new Leeds Arena.
Elton and his band have confirmed a show at the £60m venue on Wednesday, September 4, next year.
As things stand, he will be the first act to play the 13,500-capacity arena.
And pop’s very own Rocket Man can’t wait to get the venue’s opening season off to a flier.
He said: “It is difficult to believe that it has taken so long for such a large city to get its own arena, but it has certainly been worth the wait.”
The Leeds show will be Elton’s only indoor concert in the UK next year.
It will also be the first time he has performed with his band in Leeds since he appeared at the now-demolished Queens Hall in 1984.
“I am really looking forward to playing the city of Leeds once again,” said Elton.
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The singer is the latest in a flurry of big names to announce concerts at the arena.
Leeds-based indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs will play the venue on September 13.
Funnyman Micky Flanagan is performing on September 27 while boy band JLS will hit its stage on December 20 next year.
The main phase of construction work on the Leeds City Council-backed arena is due to finish in March.
It will then be handed over to operator SMG Europe for its interior fit-out.
SMG Europe’s regional vice president, John Knight, said: “We promised the arena would put the city back on the world map for live entertainment.
“Bringing Elton to Leeds ... is the perfect concert for us to open with.”
The now-defunct regional development agency Yorkshire Forward contributed £10m to the cost of the arena scheme, with the remainder of the funds coming from the council.
Experts estimate the venue will create more than 450 jobs and generate around £25m a year for the Leeds economy.
* Tickets for Elton’s concert go on sale on Friday, December 8, priced from £65.
For more details, ring 0844 248 1585, visit the www.eventim.co.uk/leeds-arena web page or go to the Leeds Town Hall box office.
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