Billy Joel catches prepare to Cardiff for sell-out Principality Stadium gig | NESMAG

US singer-songwriter Billy Joel caught the prepare to Cardiff for his first ever gig within the Welsh capital.

The sold-out Principality Stadium live performance is the artist’s solely efficiency in Europe this 12 months.

Great Western Railway (GWR) shared {a photograph} of Joel subsequent to a prepare supervisor on the London Paddington to Cardiff service on Friday, with the caption: “It was a pleasure to take the ‘Piano Man’ Billy Joel Uptown to Cardiff today for his only gig in Europe. Get ready to be rocked Wales!”

GWR stated it was “not every day” that followers bought to journey on board with the star of the present.

“When we arrived at Cardiff the fans got off the train only to see the star of the show behind them,” a GWR spokesperson stated.

More than 70,000 followers headed to the stadium on Friday evening, prompting a full metropolis centre street closure.

And they weren’t disenchanted – because the Piano Man invited his first viewers within the Land of Song to hitch in.

“After 55 years, I’m finally playing in Wales. I’ve never played here before,” he stated.

“I was told that the Welsh love to sing, so if you feel like singing along, I don’t care if it annoys the guy next to you. Sing away, and we’re going to have fun.”

Joel, who is likely one of the best-selling artists in US chart historical past, is greatest identified for tracks together with Piano Man, Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire.

His gig on the Principality Stadium follows a string of current performances on the venue from different US superstars together with Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Pink and the Foo Fighters.

And like among the stars to go to the capital earlier than him, Joel added just a little Welsh flavour to his efficiency, as he handled the Cardiff crowd to the refrain of Green Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones.

“I didn’t write that one, but I wish I did,” he stated.

Returning to the Tom Jones tribute just a little later, the viewers bought very concerned in a call-and-response model of What’s New Pussycat?.

“I don’t know the words,” Joel laughed. “I know the pussycat bit.”

He adopted this with an equally enjoyable singalong of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, earlier than launching into his observe The Longest Time.

As Joel ready to launch into My Life the singer welcomed his daughters Della Rose, aged eight, and Remy Anne, aged six, onto the stage.

“Come on Cardiff,” shouted Della Rose, as Remy Anne sat on her dad’s piano.

In July, Joel ended a 10-year residency at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

But talking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 final 12 months, the 75-year-old stated he had no plans to cease performing.

“I’m the least glamorous pop star there is,” he stated.

“I mean I just sit at the piano and play the piano. I’m in my 70s, I’m not a matinee idol. So why are you coming to see me in the first place? But it all has to do with the music.”

Fellow US singer-songwriter Chris Isaak was readily available to assist Billy Joel in Cardiff.

The 68-year-old musician from Stockton, California, is greatest identified for his 1989 single Wicked Game.

“We had a blast rocking out in the UK last year, and we’re thrilled to be returning for more headlining shows,” Isaak stated on X, previously referred to as Twitter, earlier than the live performance.

“Looking forward to supporting Billy Joel at his epic stadium show in Cardiff on August 9th too. It’s gonna be one heck of a run!”

The Principality Stadium gates opened at 17:00 BST with Chris Isaak acting at 18:45.

Billy Joel took to the stage at round 20:00 with the present coming to an in depth at 22:00.

Various roads are closed all through the town centre.

Since 15:00, a full metropolis centre closure is in impact. This contains:

• Duke Street
• Castle St
• High Street
• St Mary Street
• Caroline Street
• Wood Street
• Central Square
• Westgate Street
• Quay Street
• Guildhall Place
• Golate
• Park Street
• Havelock Street
• Scott Road
• Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street
• Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street
• Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street
• Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street
• Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way
• Penarth Road shall be closed half-hour earlier than the live performance finishes and as much as an hour after the live performance ends

All street closures needs to be lifted at 00:00 following the occasion.

The M4 motorway is predicted to be very busy, Cardiff council has warned.

Event day parking, accessible between 08:00 and 00:00, is being provided for a charge on the civic centre.

A park and experience service is being operated by the council between Leckwith and Fitzhammon Embankment, reverse the stadium.

Transport for Wales stated it could be offering extra capability on rail routes out and in of Cardiff.

Great Western Railway stated it could be placing on further trains to get individuals house from the live performance within the night.