Billy Joel Concerts
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EXCELLENT concert....easily, taking the cake as the best show I've been to that Paul was not at. Gavin DeGraw began his set exactly at 8pm, and it was superb. I was very impressed with him and am glad I had the chance to see him. He was done at 8:35, and then Billy's tour manager came out and told us that there was a celebrity guest introduction for Billy, and that we would all sing happy birthday after that. The celebrity guest was Howard Stern who came out at 8:45, then by 9pm Mr. Joel was into his set! It was the perfect blend of hits and deep cuts, but what I applaud most about this set, is Joel's ability to leave out BIG hits, and still deliver and outstanding concert. He did NOT play "We Didn't Start The Fire" or "Only The Good Die Young" which I would imagine most people seeing him for one and only one time, would think they need to hear. Anyway, about halfway through Jimmy Fallon came out and seemed very nervous and twitchy. Him and Joel did a pretty awful accapella version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (without the iPad) then he brought out a barber shop quartet and they did a barbershop-reggae song in rasta barbershop suits....it was hilarious! Billy was done at 11pm and didn't hold anything back, I'd go see him again in a hearbeat! Maybe next year.... 5/9/14 65th Birthday Setlist My Life Movin' Out The Entertainer The Ballad of Billy The Kid Everybody Loves You Now Zanzibar Goodnight Saigon (w/ NYPD) Allentown The Lion Sleeps Tonight (w/ Jimmy Fallon) Sweat (Jimmy Fallon Barbershop Quaret) New York State of Mind Scandinavian Skies (First time played since '82) Sometimes a Fantasy She's Always a Woman Don't Ask Me Why The River of Dreams A Hard Days Night Scenes From an Italian Restaurant Piano Man ENCORE Uptown Girl It's Still Rock and Roll To Me Big Shot You May Be Right
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King Macca- To answer you question, there is no way Billy was lip-synching anything. He had two lyrical flubs that Friday night on "Don't Ask Me Why" and on none other than "Uptown Girl". So there's your proof! Also, Billy sings almost all his songs down about two steps. He's been doing this since like 2006.
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WixRocks!:
EXCELLENT concert....easily, taking the cake as the best show I've been to that Paul was not at. Gavin DeGraw began his set exactly at 8pm, and it was superb. I was very impressed with him and am glad I had the chance to see him. He was done at 8:35, and then Billy's tour manager came out and told us that there was a celebrity guest introduction for Billy, and that we would all sing happy birthday after that. The celebrity guest was Howard Stern who came out at 8:45, then by 9pm Mr. Joel was into his set! It was the perfect blend of hits and deep cuts, but what I applaud most about this set, is Joel's ability to leave out BIG hits, and still deliver and outstanding concert. He did NOT play "We Didn't Start The Fire" or "Only The Good Die Young" which I would imagine most people seeing him for one and only one time, would think they need to hear. Anyway, about halfway through Jimmy Fallon came out and seemed very nervous and twitchy. Him and Joel did a pretty awful accapella version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (without the iPad) then he brought out a barber shop quartet and they did a barbershop-reggae song in rasta barbershop suits....it was hilarious! Billy was done at 11pm and didn't hold anything back, I'd go see him again in a hearbeat! Maybe next year.... 5/9/14 65th Birthday Setlist My Life Movin' Out The Entertainer The Ballad of Billy The Kid Everybody Loves You Now Zanzibar Goodnight Saigon (w/ NYPD) Allentown The Lion Sleeps Tonight (w/ Jimmy Fallon) Sweat (Jimmy Fallon Barbershop Quaret) New York State of Mind Scandinavian Skies (First time played since '82) Sometimes a Fantasy She's Always a Woman Don't Ask Me Why The River of Dreams A Hard Days Night Scenes From an Italian Restaurant Piano Man ENCORE Uptown Girl It's Still Rock and Roll To Me Big Shot You May Be Right
Hey Wix, sorry it took so long to reply. Billy was fantastic at MSG. What did you think of the sound quality though? The acoustics at MSG are great, but I thought Billy could've been louder, especially compared to Paul. Goodnight Saigon is the kind of song that should be played near the middle/end of the show, not in the opening salvo. It's just more emotional. Also, SO JEALOUS you got SCANDINAVIAN SKIES!!!
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I was very impressed with the sound quality and thought the volume was fine. That's the first show I've seen there though, so I don't have any to compare to. It's definitely the best of any other major arenas I've been to...Verizon Center (DC), Wachovia Center (Philly), Scottrade Center (St. Louis) Scandinavian Skies was a massive surprise and highlight for me. However, it was the only song all night that people were noticeably leaving for bathroom/concessions etc. But it was also a pretty hits heavy set, in my opinion, and compared to others he has done recently. I was expecting more deep cuts, but it didn't effect my experience at all. Everybody Loves You Now and Scandinavian Skies were the only two songs my grandmother didn't know!
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WixRocks!:
I was very impressed with the sound quality and thought the volume was fine. That's the first show I've seen there though, so I don't have any to compare to. It's definitely the best of any other major arenas I've been to...Verizon Center (DC), Wachovia Center (Philly), Scottrade Center (St. Louis) Scandinavian Skies was a massive surprise and highlight for me. However, it was the only song all night that people were noticeably leaving for bathroom/concessions etc. But it was also a pretty hits heavy set, in my opinion, and compared to others he has done recently. I was expecting more deep cuts, but it didn't effect my experience at all. Everybody Loves You Now and Scandinavian Skies were the only two songs my grandmother didn't know!
What section were your seats in?
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KingMacca:
WixRocks!:
I was very impressed with the sound quality and thought the volume was fine. That's the first show I've seen there though, so I don't have any to compare to. It's definitely the best of any other major arenas I've been to...Verizon Center (DC), Wachovia Center (Philly), Scottrade Center (St. Louis) Scandinavian Skies was a massive surprise and highlight for me. However, it was the only song all night that people were noticeably leaving for bathroom/concessions etc. But it was also a pretty hits heavy set, in my opinion, and compared to others he has done recently. I was expecting more deep cuts, but it didn't effect my experience at all. Everybody Loves You Now and Scandinavian Skies were the only two songs my grandmother didn't know!
What section were your seats in?
We were on the back wall uhh, 206? 205? something like that....
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WixRocks!:
King Macca- To answer you question, there is no way Billy was lip-synching anything. He had two lyrical flubs that Friday night on "Don't Ask Me Why" and on none other than "Uptown Girl". So there's your proof! Also, Billy sings almost all his songs down about two steps. He's been doing this since like 2006.
More artists should change the key songs are sung in as they age,we all change its just life so if you want to hear Piano man live but in a lower key you can because Billy owned up to life and clearly isnt trying to fool anyone,if you dont like it stick to the records of him and avoid the live shows,simple really. Me i'd take a live version of any song any day of the week.
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hengirl:
WixRocks!:
King Macca- To answer you question, there is no way Billy was lip-synching anything. He had two lyrical flubs that Friday night on "Don't Ask Me Why" and on none other than "Uptown Girl". So there's your proof! Also, Billy sings almost all his songs down about two steps. He's been doing this since like 2006.
More artists should change the key songs are sung in as they age,we all change its just life so if you want to hear Piano man live but in a lower key you can because Billy owned up to life and clearly isnt trying to fool anyone,if you dont like it stick to the records of him and avoid the live shows,simple really. Me i'd take a live version of any song any day of the week.
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Got to see him at the Hollywood Bowl a few nights ago! Such a good show! Adam Levine (from Maroon 5) and Davey Johnstone (guitarist for Elton John) came out for one of the encore songs ("You May Be Right"). Here was the setlist: Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) Pressure Everybody Loves You Now Vienna (Audience chose between this and Summer Highland Falls) The Ballad of Billy the Kid Zanzibar The Entertainer Where's the Orchestra? Allentown Say Goodbye to Hollywood New York State of Mind Sometimes a Fantasy Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) (Layla Interlude) She's Always a Woman Don't Ask Me Why The River of Dreams In the Middle of the Night w/Surfin' USA interpolation Scenes From an Italian Restaurant Piano Man Encore: It's Still Rock and Roll to Me Big Shot You May Be Right (with Adam Levine and Davey Johnstone) Only the Good Die Young
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Excellent setlist.....would LOVE to hear Miami 2017, Pressure, and Say Goodbye To Hollywood....me thinks I'll be back in the big apple for the piano man again next year
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I HIGHLY recommend Billy Joel's 2006 live-album 12 Gardens! To me, this is the BJ-equivalent to Macca's Back In The U.S. -- one great performance after another, plus, a couple of songs I had NO IDEA he'd ever performed live. This album is a new discovery for me. It's awesome!
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Bump. Seeing BJ on December 17th at MSG!!!!!! Can't wait!!!! Gr8 seats too.
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KingMacca:
Bump. Seeing BJ on December 17th at MSG!!!!!! Can't wait!!!! Gr8 seats too.
I'll be going to his first Baltimore appearance since gaining stadium level popularity back in the 70's. This will be my third time seeing him and my girlfriend's first...we're up in the nosebleeds...these prices were HIGH.
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WixRocks!:
KingMacca:
Bump. Seeing BJ on December 17th at MSG!!!!!! Can't wait!!!! Gr8 seats too.
I'll be going to his first Baltimore appearance since gaining stadium level popularity back in the 70's. This will be my third time seeing him and my girlfriend's first...we're up in the nosebleeds...these prices were HIGH.
They looked obscene this year... $49.50 for a nosebleed seat? OK in an arena, not in a football stadium. I splurged and got the $145 seats (most expensive) at MSG. Lower level seats. Stoked!
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Yes...I was actually considering coming up for the December show that you're attending but then things worked out with Baltimore. Maybe next year!...he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
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WixRocks!:
Yes...I was actually considering coming up for the December show that you're attending but then things worked out with Baltimore. Maybe next year!...he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
Nope! It turns out, you can get cheap Billy tickets on Stubhub about an hour before the show starts. Found 2 tickets, side stage, 10 rows up, for $40 at about 7pm!
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KingMacca:
WixRocks!:
Yes...I was actually considering coming up for the December show that you're attending but then things worked out with Baltimore. Maybe next year!...he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
Nope! It turns out, you can get cheap Billy tickets on Stubhub about an hour before the show starts. Found 2 tickets, side stage, 10 rows up, for $40 at about 7pm!
It's a bit hard for me being a few hours away to depend on that!
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I'll try to find the article, but a new BJ Live Album from the 2014-15 tour is coming later this year.
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Billy just announced he's having a baby with his girlfriend. The baby is due in August.
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KingMacca:
I'll try to find the article, but a new BJ Live Album from the 2014-15 tour is coming later this year.
I really hope we get one. There's been so many rarities. I really dig how Billy's people release proshot videos of certain rarities. I wish Paul would do that