Billy Joel & Sting Kick Off Co-Headlining Tour
Billy Joel and Sting co-headlined Saturday night’s sold-out concert in Tampa, Florida and are scheduled to appear together again for shows this year in San Diego, St Louis and San Antonio.
Sting delivered an energetic performance of Police and solo hits, infusing each with fresh energy. He extended several songs without overstaying his welcome.
1. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Billy Joel’s music offers a comprehensive view of character studies, light love songs and political statements – but perhaps nothing captures New Yorkers better than Joel’s tribute to their city in “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”
Sting and Piano Man performed this duet at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida as the opening act. Both musicians alternated verses while harmonizing during chorus.
Rock legend Stevie Nicks and Sting are currently touring together with Robert Plant for an upcoming Madison Square Garden residency, creating an electric atmosphere at audiences. Audience members waved their cell phones in unison when listening to classic hits like “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and “Piano Man.” This article originally appeared on People.
2. Every Breath You Take
As soon as the opening chords of “Every Breath You Take” echoed across Petco Park, everyone present felt as if this momentous event were truly real. Fans sang along as Sting wore his Sinatra-esque suit and hat before leading off this Police classic.
As soon as Piano Man took to the stage for his set, he asked Sting to join in a duet performance of “Big Man on Mulberry Street.” Wearing an old-time crooner suit and cap like Sinatra himself, Sting clearly relished being given this chance – an unforgettable highlight in an already spectacular show!
3. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Sting’s joy shone through in his opening set, which went from start to finish. Beginning with Joel singing an engaging duet of “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and ending with the Technicolor horn blast of “Sledgehammer,” one of only a handful of his songs that never made the top 20, Sting exhibited pure delight during every note he played.
Fans expected Joel to join Shaggy backstage for “Englishman in New York”, but instead recruited reggae-fusion icon Shaggy as part of their late bloomer single “Englishman in New York”.
Saturday in Tampa was their co-headlining show; they will share the stage April 13 in San Diego, September 27 in St Louis and October 25 in San Antonio as well.
4. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Once Sting had completed his set, Joel returned to join his fellow New Yorker for several songs, starting off with “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” Joel helped sing choruses of this tune.
Last month’s one-night-only concert in Tampa marked their return together since, and they are set to co-headline three more concerts this year: in San Diego on April 13, St Louis on September 27, and San Antonio on October 25. These pairings are an ideal spectacle for fans; both artists bring an extensive catalogue that sounds both timeless and fresh with each performance – this night was no different!
5. The Entertainer
Last weekend in Tampa, Florida, Billy Joel and Sting kicked off their co-headlining stadium tour at Raymond James Stadium. Both artists took turns opening and joining each other for one of their classic songs during a performance that is part of this unprecedented co-headlining effort.
Sting kicked off his performance by performing solo and Police hits such as “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Englishman in New York”; for which Shaggy joined him onstage to play backup vocals.
Joel’s exploration of suburban malaise may become somewhat repetitive, yet its memorable piano hook and references to iconic New York hotspot Elaine’s ensure it remains an enduring song.
6. My Life
Sting, dressed in his signature Sinatra suit and hat, joined Joel for two numbers. Together they sang both the “Broadway Song” from Piano Man as well as his original composition “Big Man on Mulberry Street”.
This perfumed R&B song from 1982’s Innocent Man was the inaugural single. Boasting front-stoop doo-wop and plenty of Empire State pride, during its chorus a screen flashed images of Brooklyn Bridge.
This midtempo toe-tapper marked another chapter in Joel’s evolution as an artist and human. An upbeat snare drum and unpredictable strings set the scene, while Joel sings: “Maybe you love me, maybe not…But I know you don’t want to lose me…”.