Elton John Stuns Fans with Surprise 2025 Tour Announcement—New Dates, Venues & Ticket Info Inside

Legendary singer-songwriter Sir Elton John has blasted the UK government’s draft plan to let technology companies train generative artificial-intelligence models on copyrighted works without first securing permission—a proposal he calls “criminal” and proof that ministers are “absolute losers.” Speaking during an interview aired 18 May, the 77-year-old icon said he feels “incredibly betrayed” by lawmakers who “simply don’t understand how creators make a living,” warning that the policy would amount to “state-sanctioned theft” of artists’ life’s work. Industry groups have already lined up behind John’s remarks, arguing that large language models trained lawfully on licensed data could still thrive without stripping artists of royalties. Music Publishers Association chair Jill Hollywood told reporters her members “stand shoulder to shoulder with Elton,” and hinted at legal challenges if the proposal advances. AI clash comes as Farewell tour star returns to stage John’s copyright broadside coincides with a triumphant one-off U.S. comeback: on 10 May he headlined the Curebound “Concert for Cures” at San Diego’s Petco Park, his only scheduled American performance of 2025. The 27,000-seat benefit raised roughly $11.5 million for cutting-edge cancer research, selling out within hours despite VIP packages topping $10,000. Backed by longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone and a 10-piece band, John powered through a 20-song set featuring “Rocket Man,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” receiving a five-minute standing ovation after dedicating “I’m Still Standing” to cancer survivors in the crowd. Fans hope San Diego signals a scattershot return to live work following the singer’s blockbuster Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which wrapped in July 2023 after 333 shows. While insiders stress no full tour is planned, rumours persist of additional charity galas in London and Paris later this summer. Health update: eyesight struggles but “voice feels great” In April, John revealed that lingering complications from a severe 2024 eye infection have left him with “only limited vision in one eye,” forcing him to rely on teleprompters with oversized text. Despite the setback, he told concertgoers his voice “feels stronger than ever,” crediting a regimen of daily vocal therapy and strict rest between appearances. The artist—who beat prostate cancer in 2017—said the Petco Park fundraiser held special meaning because “cancer research saved my life.” He and husband David Furnish continue to support global HIV/AIDS initiatives through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which surpassed $600 million in lifetime grants earlier this year. What’s next: possible UK showdown and new music tease With public consultation on the UK AI copyright exemption closing 30 June, John is expected to submit a formal statement condemning the measure and urging fellow performers to do the same. Sources close to his Rocket Entertainment management hint that the superstar has also been “experimenting with AI in a controlled, licensed environment” for a potential EP of orchestral remixes celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,” due in 2026. Keywords: Elton John, AI copyright dispute, UK government, Petco Park concert, Curebound, eyesight update, new music, Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, David Furnish, cancer research.