By Rita J. Egan
The Big Apple may offer tons of stage productions, but nothing beats catching Billy Joel’s residency show at Madison Square Garden, and he has no plans of “movin’ out” of the venue anytime soon. Since 2014, about once a month, fans of the Long Islander or just brilliant music that takes you back to your younger days, can catch his concert at the arena.
The show is jam packed with Joel’s hits. Whether you’re a fan of early songs like “Just the Way You Are,” “You May Be Right,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” 80's gems like “Uptown Girl,” or “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” all the hits are here. The show is filled with classic after classic, and even though it’s more than two hours long, it’s impossible for him to sing every fan favorite. Those who have followed his career closely may not hear a favorite or two.
One thing Joel does is ensure as many hits are incorporated into the show as possible by polling the audience every once in a while and taking requests. Recently he performed the number “Don’t Ask Me Why” earlier than usual in a show after his nearly three-year-old daughter Della requested it before a concert. He wanted to make sure she heard it before she fell asleep.
Throughout the concert Joel also throws in a story here and there about his career or how a song came about, and he’s known for bringing out a surprise guest to sing a song or two. In the beginning of June, his daughter Alexa Ray came out to sing a duet with her dad. Mike DelGiudice from the Billy Joel cover band Big Shot can also be found on stage singing backup at the residency shows.
The Garden holds more than 20,000 people but this is the type of show where the music takes front and center. No matter where you sit you’re going to have a fun time. Joel sits at his piano most of the show, and it’s on a section that rotates, and there are screens showing close-ups of the singer as well as his fingers while playing the piano.
July 18 marks the rock star’s 100th show at MSG. He headlined there for the first time during a tour nearly forty years ago, and he recently told the daily newspaper Newsday he’ll keep going until his body can't handling performing anymore.
For more information about Billy Joel’s residency show at Madison Square Garden or tour dates, visit www.ticketmaster.com.