BST Festival: Piano Man Billy Joel wows crowd with assortment of hits
B
illy Joel mentioned he didn’t assume he would nonetheless be “doing this gig” in his 70s as he rocked his approach via his again catalogue at London’s Hyde Park.
Telling the 65,000-strong crowd “I don’t get to come here that much” the 74-year-old added: “I’m not sure when this old ass will be back again”.
The US star sauntered on to stage on the BST Festival simply after 8pm for his solely UK reside date this 12 months and launched straight into My Life.
To chants of “Billy” from an excited crowd, Joel seamless transitioned into Movin’ Out as his piano rotated on the stage.
During a two-hour set, a jovial Joel made his approach via greater than 20 songs – stopping usually to banter and joke with the viewers.
To cheers and boos he instructed the gang he had “good and bad news”.
“The bad news is we’ve got nothing new to play. The good news is you don’t have to hear anything new,” he quipped.
Referencing the still-blazing night solar, he mentioned he had performed everywhere in the world and “the brightest sun I’ve ever seen on stage is in England”.
I didn’t assume I’d be doing this tune in my 70s. I didn’t assume I’d be doing this gig in my 70s
He added: “I hope you’re wearing a lot of sunblock” earlier than launching into The Entertainer.
He then supplied followers a selection. Noting “I can’t do them all”, he known as for them to choose between Just The Way You Are or Vienna.
Vienna was the winner, a tune which was adopted by Zanzibar – which is usually discovered on Joel’s reside set lists.
Moving away from the piano, Joel joked: “Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’m no Mick Jagger” earlier than displaying off his strikes as his band performed a riff of Rolling Stones hit Start Me Up.
Introducing his 1983 tune Innocent Man, Joel mentioned: “I didn’t think I’d be doing this song in my 70s. I didn’t think I’d be doing this gig in my 70s.”
He apologised upfront if he didn’t hit the tune’s excessive word, saying “pray for me” – a prayer that was not wanted as his simply reached the mark.
Innocent Man was adopted by extra classics from the Joel songbook: The Longest Time and Don’t Ask Me Why.
As the solar set over the capital, he moved on to huge hitters New York State of Mind and Allentown.
Slowing the tempo, subsequent up was She’s Always A Woman, set to a backdrop of photographs of a joyful crowd singing alongside.
During a vigorous rendition of River of Dreams Joel handed the stage over to members of his long-standing band, with the multi-talented Crystal Taliefero belting out River Deep Mountain High earlier than guitarist Mike DelGuidice carried out his rendition of Nessun Dorma to roars of approval.
Another Joel live performance basic: Scenes From An Italian Restaurant; was adopted by the tune many followers have been ready for – Piano Man.
There have been excited cheers because the well-known harmonica appeared – heralding the beginning of Joel’s arguably most well-known tune – with the gang earnestly singing alongside.
After a brief break, Joel returned to the stage for a barnstorming medley of hits which included a shock look from US singer Joe Jonas to sing Uptown Girl.
The 1980 hit You May Be Right capped off an brisk set, with Joel trying visibly emotional as he exited the stage to deafening roars.
His followers will probably be hoping it’s not too lengthy earlier than the Piano Man graces British shores once more.