Before the main course of Billy Joel live in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, the brilliant Chris Isaak brought his quiff and drawl to the stadium for an oven-ready crowd. Hits Wicked Game and Blue Hotel bounced off the roof and his version of Elvis’ Can’t Help Falling In Love was delivered in his unique style – all of which got the evening going on a high note.
For Billy Joel, this is his only European show of the year: what a coup for the Welsh capital. He arrived by train, dressed casually in a black suit jacket, jeans and a t-shirt, sat at his piano and joked, “Billy couldn’t make it tonight, I’m Billy’s dad. But I know all his stuff. I’m gonna sit in for him.” That was the start of two and half hours of decades of classic tracks.
Billy Joel’s amiable demeanour and occasional wisecracks only endeared him to the 70,000-plus fans packing out the Cardiff stadium, many of whom had travelled across the globe to see him. His back catalogue is legendary, many of its songs soundtracks to millions of people’s lives, and his songwriting is up there with Elton John, The Beatles and Springsteen.
At 75 years old, his voice remains remarkably strong. Easing between ballads like Don’t Go Changing and the more danceable likes of Uptown Girl, the stage set is minimal by massive stadium standards – a few big screens, Joel’s piano and his musicians. Joel has been on the circuit since playing clubs in early 70s New York and remains a master of his art.
Despite not having any new material or albums since the mid-90s, his back catalogue is vast, and his way with storytelling through music visceral. We Didn’t Start The Fire, complete with its video of presidents, wars and dictators down the decades, is at least as relevant now as when it was written: Joel captures the feeling of a moment in history and perfectly places it into his songwriting.
His rendition of Tom Jones hits Green, Green Grass Of Home and What’s New Pussycat? had the crowd screaming and singing along, and a joyous version of The Beach Boys’ Barbra Ann was just great fun. Joel looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself, and a highlight came when his two daughters, Remy & Della, guested onstage to sing My Life with him. The headliner allowed them to shine, jokingly adding, “I guess it’s her life now.”
You forget how many great, timeless tracks there are. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Always A Woman To Me: you can picture Joel sitting in coffee bars and clubs in New York, writing these amazing songs for future generations to connect with. THE piano man: gracious, funny and a legend.
Billy Joel / Chris Isaak, Principality Stadium, Fri 9 Aug
words ANTONIA LEVAY photos TIM ALBAN
