FIELD NOTES: Billy Joel, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 9th August 2024

Cardiff welcomes Billy Joel (Image: Damien Wilkinson)

A Rare Stop in the Welsh Capital

August 2024 saw ever-green singer songwriter, Billy Joel, remarkably play his first ever gig in the city of Cardiff.

Perhaps even more surprisingly it was the only European date of his 2024 touring schedule focused almost on the USA, a solitary date in Japan in January 2024 being the only other exception.

The concert took place weeks after Joel finally ended his 10 year Madison Square Garden residency, and was billed as on “One-Night Only” event at the increasingly popular Principality Stadium.

Joel entered into the special nature of the visit, even travelling to the venue on the Great Western Railway (GWR) train from London to Cardiff, and posing for photographs with fans and rail staff on arrival.

Chris Isaak: The Perfect Glittery Prelude

The night commenced with singer/guitarist (and erstwhile actor) Chris Isaak and his band playing an excellent 13 song set spanning his four decades career.

“Somebody’s Crying”, “Wicked Game”, “Blue Hotel” and a cover of the Elvis classic “I Can’t Help Falling In Love” were amongst the highlights the band played..

Chris Isaak and his mirror suit, guitarist Hershel Yatovitz looks on (Image: Damien Wilkinson)

"Chris Isaak delivered a sharply executed set, capped off by an encore where he emerged resplendent in a silver mirror suit—the perfect glittery prelude to the main event."

The Piano Man Takes the Stage

Slightly more somberly dressed in a black suit, Joel and his band featuring Dave Rosenthal, Mark Rivera, Crystal Taliefero, Tommy Byrnes, Andy Cichon, Chuck Burgi, Carl Fischer, and Mike DelGuidice, took to the stage.

Starting with the 1977 classic “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” Joel kicked off a live jukebox of hits and prime cuts from his extensive career.

Despite following a well trodden path of setlists over the past few years, there was a wonderful freshness and spontaneity to many of the songs; indeed the a cappella reading of “The Longest Time” almost had the vibe that it was the first time they’d ever performed it!

Joel also bowed to the surroundings, adding some Tom Jones snippets (“Green, Green Grass of Home” and “What’s New Pussycat”) to proceedings.

Billy Joel and band go a cappella (Image: Damien Wilkinson)

Members of the band were all given spotlights in various songs, Crystal Taliefero’s powerful vocals shone on “River of Dreams” with its “River Deep Mountain High” interlude, and Mark Rivera, Joel’s long time saxophonist, hit some brass heights throughout, but especially on “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”.

Billy Joel at the Principality (Image: Damien Wilkinson)

Another (almost) one-off saw Joel’s two young daughters, Della Rose (8) and Remy Anne (6), enter the stage to help Joel with “My Life” - Della Rose ably singing, whilst Remy Anne sat on Dad’s piano.

Billy Joel and his daughters sing “My Life” (Image: Damien Wilkinson)

A High-Octane Encore in Cardiff

The gig powered on to its encore and the inevitable “Uptown Girl” followed by crowd pleasers “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me”, and “Big Shot”.

“You May Be Right” from 1980 album Glass Houses, with a mid-song segue into Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll”, finally brought the curtain down.

He’s Got a Way

Billy Joel was on fine form for his first visit to the Welsh Capital, delivering a memorable evening of entertainment.

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"After the final chords of 'You May Be Right' faded out, the crowds spilled out into the Cardiff night—many, including myself, heading straight for the neon glow and craft taps of Tiny Rebel on Westgate Street."

Seat: Golden Circle Standing area

Set list:

Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

Pressure

The Entertainer (with "Green Green Grass of Home" snippet)

Just the Way You Are

Zanzibar (with "What's New Pussycat" snippet)

Start Me Up (Rolling Stones cover)

An Innocent Man

The Longest Time (with snippets of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "Barbara Ann")

The Downeaster "Alexa"

Allentown

Vienna

My Life

New York State of Mind (with "Take 5" snippet)

Only the Good Die Young

Sometimes a Fantasy

The River of Dreams (with "River Deep - Mountain High" interlude)

Nessun dorma (sung by Mike DelGuidice)

Scenes From an Italian Restaurant

Piano Man

We Didn't Start the Fire 

Encore

Uptown Girl

It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

Big Shot

You May Be Right (with "Rock and Roll" interlude)