Last show of Billy Joel & Elton John’s Face 2 Face tour 2009

Concert There are some things in life that you just don’t want to miss: a meteor shower, a solar eclipse, water being turned into wine, and the last show of Billy Joel and Elton John’s Face 2 Face tour 2009. Starting strong and ending even stronger they brought everything they had to the stage and left it all there.

The show started with a crescendo of suspenseful music when all of a sudden two pianos rose out of the stage like two fiery phoenix’s reborn from a pile of ashes. On cue Elton and Billy entered the view of the crowd from left and right stage respectively while the stadium erupted instantly with ear deafening cheers.

Elton John and Billy Joel came out with guns a blazing like some spin off an old Western. For the first four songs the two played as a duet. The songs included “Your Song”, “Just the Way You Are”, “Don’t let the Sun Go Down On Me”, and “My Life”. After “My Life” Billy Joel bowed to the crowd and exited stage right, while his piano descended into the depths of the stage.

Elton started the night off with “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” which completely set the tone for the set that followed. The song was upbeat and filled with energy as was “Saturday Nights Alright” which was next in the lineup. Elton kept the vibe alive with “Levon” and then toned it down a few levels with “Tiny Dancer” which everyone in the stadium sang along to. Elton kept the same tone going with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” which was incredible to hear in the stadium. (Especially since my friend Roy who I drove down with was rooting for the song to be played.)

After a spectacular performance of “Daniel”, it was time for “Rocket Man” which had some funky piano followed by “Philadelphia Freedom” with the stadium going wild which is no surprise considering the location. Elton John closed his set with “Crocodile Rock” and again everybody in the stadium was singing “la la la la la la” right along with him. As his piano dropped into the stage he bid his farewell, as Billy Joel’s steed arose from the stage. (or piano)

Billy Joel came out with fingers flying fast as lightening for an opener of “Prelude/Angry Young Man”. This song was packed full of energy and the crowd exploded. “Movin’ Out” was next keeping the crowd on their feet, allowing the dancing to continue. The train left the station with “Allentown” next and chugged its way through to “Zanzibar”, during which Carl Fischer went blazing on the trumpet.

Billy gave the Philadelphia crowd kudos during “She’s Always a Woman”, exclaiming, “some cities sing like shit, but not Philly, you guys sing in key…you guys sound good!” Mark Rivera played his heart out absolutely flawlessy on the saxophone during the next song “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”. During “Highway to Hell” Billy threw off his jacket, grabbed a guitar, and took center stage while “Chainsaw” one of the roadies came out singing.

Still armed with his guitar Billy launched straight into “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” where he was twirling the microphone stand around his head and body completely rocking out. Before Billy went back to his piano for the powerful conclusion of his set, “Only the Good Die Young”, someone threw their hat on stage which Billy happily put on.

After a 5 minute intermission it was time for the final showdown, mano y mano, Billy Joel and Elton John, face to face. They started mellow and smooth with “I Guess That’s Why They Call it The Blues”. Then tore it wide open next with “Uptown Girl” and kept the beat afloat with “The Bitch is Back”. The stage then blew up with “You May Be Right” followed by “Bennie and the Jets” where both Billy and Elton completely jammed out on the pianos.

The rest of the musicians left the stage and the crowd fell silent for the next song “Candle in the Wind”. The final song was known the instant the first sound of a harmonica was heard. The crowd went completely berserk while singing every word of “Piano Man”. Piano Man was by far the best song to end the night considering the two men on stage are both piano legends. Billy and Elton thanked the fans for all the support they have received from us throughout the years, and especially now in these economic times, but I believe that the thanks should be extended to them. So thank you Billy and thank you Elton, for putting on probably the best show of 2009.

Signing out: Marcus Shellenberger

Full Set List:

Your Song [Duet]
Just the Way You Are [Duet]
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me [Duet]
My Life [Duet]

Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding [EJ]
Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) [EJ]
Levon [EJ]
Madman Across the Water [EJ]
Tiny Dancer [EJ]
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [EJ]
Daniel [EJ]
Rocket Man [EJ]
Philadelphia Freedom [EJ]
I’m Still Standing [EJ]
Crocodile Rock [EJ]

Prelude/Angry Young Man [BJ]
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) [BJ]
Allentown [BJ]
Zanzibar [BJ]
She’s Always A Woman [BJ]
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant [BJ]
The River of Dreams [BJ]
Highway to Hell [BJ]
We Didn’t Start the Fire [BJ]
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me [BJ]
Only the Good Die Young [BJ]

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues [Duet]
Uptown Girl [Duet]
The Bitch Is Back [Duet]
You May Be Right [Duet]
Bennie and the Jets [Duet]
Candle in the Wind [Duet]
Piano Man [Duet]