Musical legends Billy Joel and Elton John will continue their Face 2 Face Tour at the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center May 7.
The Face 2 Face Tour, which began in Philadelphia in 1994, is the duo’s longest-running concert series. The musical superstars sold out their last concert at the Kohl Center on April 6, 2003, attracting a crowd of more than 16,000 fans.
The concert is organized by Fred Frank of Frank Productions, who said both artists are ready for another visit to Madison.
“They have a great track record,” Frank said. “They were here six years ago and sold out; six years ago is a long time, and they are ready to come back to a great town.”
Frank also said Joel and John’s management firm contacted Frank Productions seeking the Kohl Center as a venue for their tour. This is the duo’s only stop in Wisconsin.
This is John’s fourth appearance at the Kohl Center. John, who used a smaller stage for his solo concert at the Kohl Center in 1998, holds the greatest attendance record at the stadium with 17,236 fans.
In an e-mail to The Badger Herald, Claire Mercuri, spokesperson for Joel, said Wisconsin was routed on the tour. She added the Kohl Center is a great venue for the musicians to perform in, and the musicians are excited to perform with each other.
“They are great friends and enjoy performing together,” Mercuri said.
Vince Sweeney, senior associate athletic director at the UW Athletic Department, said the concert benefits the Kohl Center positively from a fiscal standpoint.
Sweeney expects the concert to sell out, however, he expects John’s 1998 attendance record to stay intact.
“I don’t think the current configuration of the stage permits that many seats,” Sweeney said. “My estimate for the number of seats is between 14,500 and 16,000, but there is no exact figure.”
Joel and John will open the concert playing twin pianos and singing a series of duets. Both superstars also play a solo musical set with their respective bands.
“The great thing about performing with Elton is that he is such a good piano player and that makes me have to dig deep to keep up with him,” Joel said in a statement.
The concert ends with the duo reuniting on stage for an encore, playing one another’s hit songs and a number of rock ‘n’ roll classics.
Ticket prices are $179.50, $99.50 and $54. Despite inflation, Frank says ticket prices are exactly the same as they were in 2003.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 and will be available online only through www.uwbadgers.com. Tickets will also be sold through the UW Athletic Ticket Office, which is located at Gate 1 of Camp Randall Stadium.
“This is as big as it gets, these two artists together,” Frank said.