August 13, 2022

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It's been six long years since Billy Joel has played in Pittsburgh.  On Thursday night, the "Piano Man" made a triumphant return to a sold out PNC Park.

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The 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee kicked things of with "My Life" and proceeded to pack twenty-six songs in his over two hour set.  Joel has not released any new music in over twenty years, but with his catalog, he doesn't really have to. He even quipped early on, "I don't have anything new, so I'm going to play the same old shit."

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The fans came to hear the old stuff and to relive their memories, and Joel delivered that in spades.

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Joel was looking healthier than in years past and his voice is in top shape as well.

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I could run down the setlist, but you already know all of the tunes.  

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Every song was like seeing an old familiar movie.  

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They just make you feel warm inside and put a smile on your face.

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However, something truly magical happens when 39,000 people are singing and swaying in unison.  A feeling of community, a feeling of belonging, a feeling of being alive and experiencing something together.

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As Joel once sang, he also lets us "forget about life for awhile."

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This is why we go to concerts.  This is why live music is so important.  

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Toward the end of show Joel said, "I've been playing Pittsburgh for a long time, since the early '70s.  We thank you for coming to see us."

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No, Billy. Thank you.

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Thank you for providing us with the soundtrack to our lives.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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