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

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 yr.

Nice 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 in the present day for his solely gig in Europe. Get able to be rocked Wales!”

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

“After we arrived at Cardiff the followers received off the prepare solely to see the star of the present behind them,” a GWR spokesperson stated.

Greater than 70,000 followers headed to the stadium on Friday night time, prompting a full metropolis centre street closure.

They usually weren’t upset – because the Piano Man invited his first viewers within the Land of Track to affix in.

“After 55 years, I am lastly enjoying in Wales. I’ve by no means performed right here earlier than,” he stated.

“I used to be advised that the Welsh like to sing, so when you really feel like singing alongside, I do not care if it annoys the man subsequent to you. Sing away, and we’ll have enjoyable.”

Joel, who is without doubt one of the best-selling artists in US chart historical past, is greatest recognized for tracks together with Piano Man, Uptown Lady and We Didn’t Begin the Hearth.

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 slightly Welsh flavour to his efficiency, as he handled the Cardiff crowd to the refrain of Inexperienced Inexperienced Grass of House by Tom Jones.

“I did not write that one, however I want I did,” he stated.

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

“I do not know the phrases,” Joel laughed. “I do know the pussycat bit.”

He adopted this with an equally enjoyable singalong of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, earlier than launching into his monitor 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 Sq. Gardens in New York Metropolis.

However chatting with Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 final yr, the 75-year-old stated he had no plans to cease performing.

“I am the least glamorous pop star there may be,” he stated.

“I imply I simply sit on the piano and play the piano. I am in my 70s, I am not a matinee idol. So why are you coming to see me within the first place? However it all has to do with the music.”

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

The 68-year-old musician from Stockton, California, is greatest recognized for his 1989 single Depraved Sport.

“We had a blast rocking out within the UK final yr, and we’re thrilled to be returning for extra headlining reveals,” Isaak stated on X, previously often known as Twitter, earlier than the live performance.

“Wanting ahead to supporting Billy Joel at his epic stadium present in Cardiff on August ninth too. It is 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.

Quite a few roads are closed all through the town centre.

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

Duke StreetCastle StHigh StreetSt Mary StreetCaroline StreetWood StreetCentral SquareWestgate StreetQuay StreetGuildhall PlaceGolatePark StreetHavelock StreetScott RoadKingsway from its junction with North Highway to its junction with Duke StreetCowbridge Highway East from its junction with Cathedral Highway to its junction with Westgate StreetTudor Avenue from its junction with Clare Highway to its junction with Wooden StreetPlantagenet Avenue and Beauchamp Avenue from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor StreetStation Terrace and Guildford Avenue from the junction with Newport Highway to the junction with Churchill WayPenarth Highway 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 must be lifted at 00:00 following the occasion.

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

Occasion day parking, accessible between 08:00 and 00:00, is being provided for a price 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 might be offering further capability on rail routes out and in of Cardiff.

Nice Western Railway stated it might be placing on additional trains to get folks house from the live performance within the night.