Tour

02 Aug 2014
Philadelphia, PA Citizens Bank Park
Billy Joel in Philadelphia Aug 2nd

By the time the perfect night of cool August breezes (and no rain) ended, Saturday's sold-out Billy Joel show at Citizens Bank Park had made one thing evident: They don't write them like that anymore.…Playing rarities – the softly arch, jaggedly jazzy ballad “Vienna,” a stammering “Zanzibar” with an oddball “Rocky Theme” intro – along with fever-pitched hits, Joel and his tight band sounded so crisp, it was like listening to one of his albums. Magnificent. – The Philadelphia Inquirer

It’s not easy for Joel to create a set list considering his vast canon. Stadium shows don’t usually allow changeups, even at a baseball park, but Joel surprised fans by offering “The Longest Time.” “I haven’t played this one in a really long time,” Joel said as he introduced Philly’s Boyz II Men, who delivered spot-on three-part harmony. The requisite hits “Piano Man,” “Don’t Ask Me Why” and “Big Shot” were delivered. But Joel’s complicated narrative-driven portraits, such as “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” and “New York State of Mind,” which should be regarded as a standard, elicited the greatest response from the effusive generation-crossing crowd. He knocked one out of the park on a cool summer night to the delight of the 50,000 who provided considerable electricity to a venue that hosts a moribund team. – The Intelligencer

Official photos by Jeff Schock

Photos

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Show Setlist

Billy Joel at Citizens Bank Park set list August 2, 2014