Billy Joel kicked off his joint tour with Sting at Ray James Stadium. This year’s schedule features more dates for both artists – including an unmissable co-headlining performance in Las Vegas!
Fans will enjoy music from Joel’s entire catalog, such as his 1973 classic Piano Man and Turnstiles favorites.
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Raymond James Stadium was filled with an air of nostalgia as couples held hands and concession workers sang Billy Joel hits together. Sting mixed Rasta influences into a reggae-esque tempo change in “Roxanne,” while drawing upon jazz, world music and rock influences in fan favorites like “Englishman in New York”, “Fields of Gold” and “Spirits in the Material World”.
Joel then joined him onstage, dressed like Frank Sinatra with a hat and suit to duet on “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” an unforgettable live performance not heard since 1999 in Tampa. A moment of Empire State pride with video screens showing Brooklyn Bridge views as well as waves lashing against Lady Liberty herself!
Message in a Bottle
Sting’s inaugural one-night stand with Billy Joel took place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday night, featuring both artists intertwining their sets – with Sting performing his 1980 hit Message in a Bottle during Joel’s set!
Former Police frontman Sting performed Roxanne with his full band – though some high parts were toned down slightly to suit his slightly aged vocal cords. Additionally, his performance incorporated reggae, jazz, and world music influences into fan favorites like English Man in New York and Walking on the Moon.
The video for the song features deaf school students singing along to its lyrics; yet never actually shows a message in a bottle – an artistic choice which increases its power.
You May Be Right
Joel’s 1980 album Glass Houses features one of his hardest rockers on its second single: “Ever Since We Met”, which shows that the musician knew when and how far to push himself while remaining true to his roots.
This song’s tempo and lyrics perfectly showcase its artist’s blend of rebelliousness and vulnerability, making this classic timeless. The fact that its appearance in movies, TV shows and video games showcase its relevance proves it.
Even without an official music video, fans have created their own visual narratives for “American Gigolo,” perfectly representing its lyrics about becoming drawn into high-stakes intrigue. This shows how such songs transcend genres and remain relevant across different audiences.
Big Man on Mulberry Street
Starting off their tour together is Sting and Joel collaborating on a song rarely heard during their respective live sets: Sting began his set in Tampa with a rendition of the Police’s “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, with Joel staying behind to help out.
Sting joined Joel during Joel the Piano Man’s second set for an exciting duet on “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” channeling Frank Sinatra by wearing a hat and gray suit, reaching high notes that may otherwise be beyond the reach of older singers.
Joel will reunite with Stevie Nicks this spring for performances in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Los Angeles before concluding his monthly Madison Square Garden residency this summer. Additionally he’ll perform two concerts with Stevie in Arlington and Chicago; plus one show with Rod Stewart at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
It’s a Beautiful Day
Billy Joel has returned to the limelight thanks to a new single, GRAMMY performance and the ending of his record-setting Madison Square Garden residency, set to end in July. For this multi-platinum, 23-time nominated GRAMMY winner it has all been somewhat daunting.
This US number one hit from 1983 provides Joel’s heartfelt advice to lovers, encouraging them to express their emotions and dreams freely. Additionally, it expresses his frustration with working and lower middle class New Yorkers who tried too hard to keep up with society by striving to keep up with Joneses.
On Saturday night at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, two rock icons kicked off their co-headlining tour together by performing duets. Additionally, their CD version features a bonus disc featuring Joel’s 1972 radio show recorded for Philadelphia-based WMMR which showcased him as a young and energetic musician.