Not amazingly, fans of all ages crammed into the Kohl Center Sunday night to show their appreciation for piano prodigies Billy Joel and Elton John. This was not just a concert; this was an experience.
Billy and Elton each played lengthy headlining sets, but it would have been better if they tightened those up and played more together. This “Face 2 Face” tour was only face-to-face for three songs at the beginning of the show, and then a more generous six at the end.
The evening was a stellar display of music and showmanship, as each artist went all out to seize the audience. And each did.
The concert began with two black pianos rising from underneath the stage and classy Billy in a black suit with a black shirt and Elton wearing an electric blue suit, blue patent leather boots and dark sunglasses saluting the crowd and each other.
For almost four hours, fans were singing along as Billy and Elton performed “Your Song,” “Just the Way You Are,” “and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down.” The energetic duo embraced each other and Billy’s band left, leaving Elton to entertain with such hits as “Shine Your Light,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”
After each song he performed, the house lights went up and Elton surveyed, waved and bowed to the audience. He ended with “Crocodile Rock,” bowing to fans who were already hoarse from singing along.
Billy began by serenading thousands with “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.” He welcomed the crowd and said that “the Kohl Center beats the crap our of the soccer rink we used to play in. This just smells a lot better.” The crowd roared.
He continued with “Moving Out,” and “Angry Young Man,” from his 1976 album Turn Styles. Joel mirrored his attire with his classy dance moves, snapping over his head and dancing with the microphone while he performed “Innocent Man,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll,” and “Only the Good Die Young.”
The crowd spread into the aisles and on top of seats, screamed, sang, clapped, and had a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. Billy did half a cartwheel off the top of the piano, waltzed around the stage with the microphone stand, and had his knees grabbed by the front row of energetic fans.
Elton did no such thing, but he definitely oohed and aahed the audience as well. Two diverse artists, yet both very talented.
After Billy’s set, the two musical masters reunited with hugs. Elton changed into a hot-pink suit with diamond buttons and matching pink shoes.
For some, seeing the two together was the reason they splurged on the pricy tickets. The duo energized the crowd during “The Bitch is Back.” Both Elton and Billy danced on the pianos and with each other. The dueling pianos during “You May Be Right,” and the intense playing of the ivory keys even got Elton excited and off of his piano. He was dancing to Billy’s back and playing the keys of the same piano where Joel was singing.
They played together “Benny and the Jets,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and performed a powerful “Piano Man” as the encore.
Although spectators of the show would have liked to have seen more Billy and Elton together, the duo put on an enjoyable show that left with every single face, in what seemed to be an endless crowd, smiling and singing while walking to the parking lots and saluting their favorite singers.
An intense concert where almost everyone was closely familiar with the songs, it was hours of talent, brilliance and entertainment.
