ELTON John famously sang Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, but by the time he took to the stage for his Sunday night show at Blenheim Palace, it had long since been replaced by grey cloud and rain.

For the hundreds of fans gathered in the Great Court of the Woodstock stately home, however, the unseasonal weather did little to dampen spirits – with fans leaving their seats to dance along to a medley of the flamboyant pianist's greatest hits, such as Daniel, Your Song, Bennie and the Jets and Rocket Man.

Even the new songs from latest album Wonderful Crazy Night, went down well among a crowd for whom the top fashion choice was the ubiquitous plastic rain poncho – though one group of lads invoked the spirit of Glastonbury by removing their shirts, and donning flower garlands.

Some fans had paid more than £200 for tickets, joining an exclusive reception in the palace's Great Hall and Saloon.

"I'm so sorry about the weather, but I've been saying that all summer," said the artist, wearing a bright red shirt and shoes and a patterned coat, before a melancholy I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues, with images of raindrops projected on a screen.

He later praised the audience, saying: " You've been amazing. I can't tell you how much we've enjoyed ourselves... we've had a blast!"

The show topped off four days of live music featuring Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone on Friday; Irish pop group The Corrs and west Oxfordshire singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti, on Friday; and the The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra playing the music from the Bond movies on Saturday.