Covid lockdown Wales: Elton John’s half-brother denies organising unlicenced music event

Elton John’s half-brother who condemned Rocketman biopic denies breaking lockdown laws by claiming unlicensed music event with 200 revellers was a ‘spiritual gathering’, court hears

  • Geoff Dwight, 54, denies helping organise an unlicensed music event in Wales
  • It is alleged he helped organise the event attended by 200 people on August 29
  • His defence lawyer also argued the gathering was a ‘religious spiritual event’
  • 58-year-old Karen Webb also denied having helped to organise the event


Sir Elton John’s half-brother today denied breaking lockdown laws by claiming that an unlicensed music event attended by more than 200 revellers was a religious spiritual gathering.  

Geoff Dwight, 54, is accused of organising  an event attended by more than 30 people in Denbighshire on August 29 last year in breach of Welsh coronavirus regulations. 

Prosecutors allege that the event was attended by more than 200 people, with police bodycam footage to prove it – and that such an event would have been banned during the pandemic.

Appearing at Llandudno magistrates’ court, Dwight, who is estranged from the famed singer and recently made headlines after criticising Sir Elton’s Rocketman biopic, denied the offence. 

He was accompanied by his partner Karen Webb, 58, who also denies the offence – which, if they are found guilty, brings the potential for an unlimited fine.

Geoff Dwight, 54, is accused of organising an event attended by more than 30 people in Denbighshire on August 29 last year in breach of Welsh coronavirus regulations 

Geoff Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother (pictured)

Geoff Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother (pictured) 

Mr Fitzgerald said the event was advertised on Facebook but then cancelled and Webb took no further part in organising it. District judge Gwyn Jones granted them unconditional bail until a trial before him in June.  

Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother and leads an alternative lifestyle in the vale of Clwyd where he hand makes yurts and harps and organises music festivals. 

He has previously questioned the portrayal of their father in the movie Rocketman, saying it rewrote family history.

Webb’s Facebook profile shows an interest in ‘psytrance’ music and she insisted in one social media message: ‘We never breached the rules.’

Sir Elton was born Reginald Dwight and took on his new name in 1972.

Earlier this year the Rocketman took part in an NHS video alongside actor Sir Michael Caine encouraging people to be vaccinated against Covid-19.    

Sir Elton was born Reginald Dwight and took on his new name in 1972. Earlier this year he took part in an NHS video alongside actor Sir Michael Caine encouraging people to be vaccinated

Sir Elton was born Reginald Dwight and took on his new name in 1972. Earlier this year he took part in an NHS video alongside actor Sir Michael Caine encouraging people to be vaccinated