OVER the next week and a half, we will be giving fans the chance to keep track of the developments and preparations ahead of the Elton John concert on Saturday 29 May, with a regular blog straight from Vicarage Road.

Tuesday 18 May (11 days to go)

Things are starting to take shape at Vicarage Road in preparation for the gig.

Exit signs on the South East corner

There are now several new temporary pitch exit route signs up around the ground. Even a few signs really make the ground look very different from the Vicarage Road we are normally used to!

A new exit sign at the Rookery End

The contractors are also working on installing new exit gates for the South East and South West corners and a platform lift in the South West corner.

The South West corner

For such big gigs like this one it's very important to have large signs that can be seen over the sea of fans, flags, wigs and glow-sticks that will be on the pitch and to have enough exits to let everyone in and out! Think Glastonbury...but much better!

Wednesday 19 May (10 days to go)

The scaffolding for the stage area has started to go up in the East Stand and we have a few more builders on site to help with the operations.

The scaffolding starts to go up for what will be the backstage area

There are now also disabled access ramps on the Rous Stand side of the ground. It's really starting to look like a concert venue now.

Contractors start to bring in the ramps

The ramps in front of the Rous Stand

It might look a bit strange and is certainly confusing the local pigeons a bit, but after some careful measuring and various counting of steps, the cone in the middle of the pitch has been placed directly where the front of the stage will be…if you can imagine it….

The cone marks the spot...

Thursday 20 May (9 days to go)

The tractors have arrived to take off the top of the pitch ready for the temporary cover that will go on top of it to protect the grass during the gig.

A tractor starts to work on the pitch

They are also preparing the surface for next season, after the concert, more work will be done to make sure the pitch is ready for Watford's first game in August - lots of sowing, growing and watering for all the hard-working ground staff .

Preparing the pitch...

Friday 21 May (8 days to go)

It's been a stunning 24 degrees at Vicarage Road today so we've all got our fingers crossed the weather stays for next Saturday, as that would top the day off very nicely indeed!

The signs for the bar and retail sections have now been put up in the East Stand, next to where the stage will start going up next week.

The bar and retail signs go up next to where the stage will be

The programme has been signed off and is in the hands of our printers, after our hard-working designers quickly turned the words and photos into a 32-page souvenir programme.

This year's programme

This year 's programme is jammed packed with Sir Elton John-related goodies; a Q & A session with questions from fans around the world, biog and a fan's view of his career through the years, as well as pages of exclusive never-seen before picture of the lifelong Watford supporter.

It will cost £7.50 and can be purchased on the day at the ground or can be pre-ordered online by clicking here. You can also bring back the memories of the 2005 concert by purchasing one of those at the same time!

Monday 24 May (5 days to go)

Occupation Road is now closed to let all the trucks and lorries through, which are carrying the goods to transform Vicarage Road into a concert venue for this Saturday.

The view of the stage area from the Rous Stand; the stage is marked out by the boards on the pitch

The staging has arrived via the trucks and is starting to be set up and laid out. First of all the covering for the pitch has to be laid. We are using a design called Supatrac to lay on the ground where the fans will be stood, a make widely used by concert venues and festivals.

The Supatrac covering

The area around the stage has now been marked out with the flooring on the pitch, so we've got an idea of how it will all look on the day.

The flooring starts to spread over the pitch

Having had such a scorching few days, we checked the weather for the weekend and it looks to be a fine day forecast for Saturday. Perhaps not as hot but just as sunny, which is the perfect climate for a music concert we think!

The catering stations are beginning to take shape as well, which are going to be vitally important to give concert-goers all the essential energy and dancing-fuel needed for the evening!

The flooring is put down

4pm Monday: the first elements of the staging goes up

5pm Monday: the next level goes on

Tuesday 25 May (4 days to go)

It's now a week since we started the Elton John concert blog, how time flies!

Overnight the landscape at Vicarage Road has changed very dramatically - the stage is now being assembled and the area around it that will provide the wings and backstage is taking shape.

10am Tuesday: It's not only the colour of the sky that looks rather different!

12pm Tuesday: the first tower goes up

1.30pm Tuesday: the second tower is erected

The towers on either side of the stage are now up as the first real 'build-day' gets under way.

The two towers on the right of the stage

3.00pm Tuesday: the third tower goes up on the left of the stage

4.00pm Tuesday: and the fourth completes the look!

The view from the Rous Stand on Tuesday afternoon

Don't forget to get your memorabilia and souvenirs for the day as there are some great Elton John concert items in the Hornets Shop including t-shirts, wigs, scarves and caps, so you can be ready and all kitted out for Saturday night!

The range of Elton John merchandise on sale at The Hornets Shop and online

Wednesday 26 May (3 days to go)

The stage base is completed and the four towers impressively mark the edges of the performing area.

The roof has been skinned and erected - first of all they built the roof on the stage floor and then attached the structure to cranes to rise it above the ground.

The roof starts to move up

And up...

And within minutes it is suspended above the stage

The Supatrac surface is completed and now covers the whole of the pitch area - there's not a blade of grass in sight!

Wednesday 9am: the pitch begins to get covered by the Supatrac surface

Wednesday 10am: the covering moves further across the grass

Wednesday 11am: nearly there!

Wednesday 12pm: a few more final pieces to be laid

The side structures provide the framework for the PA system and screens to be attached to so that everyone in every corner of Vicarage Road can see the happenings on the stage on the day!

The completed look: the stage view with the framework for the screen on the left of the picture

The first seat is due to be laid down tomorrow at 8am…watch this space!

Thursday 27 May (2 days to go)

As planned, the first seat went down first thing this morning and then they spread all over the pitch area very quickly. Within a few hours the majority of the ground was covered with blue chairs, just waiting to be sat on!

Thursday 8am: the chairs begin to be put out

View of the pitch area from the Vicarage Road end

The stage is all finished, with the last nuts and bolts being screwed into their holes.

10am Thursday: the stage view from the Lower Rous

11am Thursday

12pm Thursday: the chairs are spreading towards the Rookery

View of the pitch area from the Rookery End

The signage is all being put up today as well, and the backstage areas prepared for Sir Elton and his supporting acts on the night.

Backstage signs directing the supporting acts

Tomorrow it all gets technical with the production side of the operation getting into full force...

Friday 28 May (1 day to go!)

Every last chair is now in place, ready for concert tomorrow! The programmes have arrived and the posters and final signage is all up. Catering have been working very hard to make sure all the kiosks and bars are stocked up with beer, wine, soft drinks and plenty of food for the hungry punters tomorrow. 

The sound mixing area on the hallowed turf

The sound mixing area is now housed in a white tent on the pitch and on the stage, the final finishing touches have been made.

10am: The view from the Vicarage Road End

The lighting, sound and visionary elements will be the last bits to complete the look later on this evening. This includes the video screens, spotlights and PA equipment. The sound rigging for the band's instruments will also be wired up at the back of the stage.

The stage and seating area from The Rous Stand

And that's all folks, all that's left is thousands of fans to pack out Vicarage Road tomorrow.  Lights, camera, action!