Billy Joel rocks the house in return to Madison Square Garden – NBC New York

Billy Joel had viewed the lights go out on Broadway and at Madison Square Backyard garden.

His residency at the famed arena, which commenced in January 2014 and integrated 73 straight month-to-month reveals, came to a pause in March 2020 as New York shut down throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

For 20 months, the seats he’d typically fill were still left empty, the piano he performed was silenced, the phase he lit up was darkened.

Until Friday, when the regular crowd shuffled in and the lights arrived again on for Joel.

The homecoming started with a spotlight shining down on the 72-yr-outdated Joel as he fittingly opened with the piano intro to “Miami 2017 (Noticed the Lights Go Out on Broadway),” kicking off a live performance originally scheduled for March 19, 2020.

“We’re again at the Garden,” Joel mentioned as the group erupted.

“I want to thank you for waiting around considering that March 19th of 2020. Sorry you experienced to wait. They shut every little thing down, but we’re again,” he explained prior to going into “New York Point out of Thoughts.”

The earth may possibly be a incredibly unique position due to the fact Joel’s very last Madison Square Backyard garden concert. But the attract of his presence and songs remained the exact same for a sold-out arena of approximately 20,000 lovers, who had to show evidence of vaccination to enter.

Friday’s concert was the first of six make-up reveals as a result of April 2022.

It was Joel’s 120th profession efficiency at the Garden, extending his report for the most of any musical artist. The hole involving Friday’s general performance and his 119th exhibit — held Feb. 20, 2020 — was a great deal lengthier than anticipated.

Joel not long ago was asked on SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Exhibit” whether remaining unable to accomplish all through COVID was aggravating or a welcomed relaxation.

“It was type of aggravating,” Joel advised Stern. “Section of it was aggravating. Section of it was incredibly pleasant because I bought to be home with my children for a very long time. I received to know them. I got to hold out with them.”

Joel also advised Stern that despite remaining unable to conduct for the duration of the pandemic he paid out his band members their whole income for a year.

“I wanted to just take care of the band,” Joel claimed. “Cause musicians truly took it on the chin. We couldn’t get the job done. We couldn’t carry out. We could not show up wherever. We couldn’t get positions.”

The band has been back again with each other and back again to work due to the fact August, acquiring played stadiums in Boston, Orchard Park, Cincinnati and Texas.

Returning to their musical dwelling at the Backyard garden on Friday, Joel and the band sounded as if they didn’t overlook a beat, seamlessly heading from hits like “Vienna” to “Allentown” during the two-hour, fifteen-minute established.

Joel capped a 5-tune encore with “You May well Be Ideal,” concluding his extensive-awaited return property to the Yard.

“Thank you, New York Town!” Joel mentioned ahead of he walked off stage and the lights went out. Right until future month.

Established Listing: Miami 2017 (Viewed the Lights Go Out on Broadway) Movin’ Out My Life New York State of Intellect All people Loves You Now Zanzibar Vienna Allentown Strain Downeaster Alexa The Entertainer She’s Normally a Woman To Me Never Talk to Me Why All for Leyna Sometimes a Fantasy River of Dreams Only the Superior Die Younger Nessun Dorma Scenes from an Italian Cafe Piano Guy. Encore: We Did not Commence the Fireplace Uptown Woman It’s Continue to Rock and Roll to Me Significant Shot You May Be Right.