American singer-songwriter Billy Joel has taken the train to Cardiff to perform his first ever gig in the Welsh capital later this evening.
The sold-out concert at the Principality Stadium is the artist’s only appearance in Europe this year.
Great Western Railway released a picture of Joel alongside a conductor on Friday afternoon with the caption: “It was a pleasure to bring ‘Piano Man’ Billy Joel uptown to Cardiff today for his only European appearance. Get ready to rock Wales!”
More than 70,000 fans are expected at the stadium. The entire city center will be closed off with a road closure.
“The M4 is expected to be heavily congested due to this concert, so please plan ahead,” a Cardiff City Council spokesman said.
Joel, one of the highest-selling artists in US chart history, is best known for songs such as “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
His performance at the Principality Stadium follows a series of performances by other US superstars at the stadium, including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Pink and the Foo Fighters.
In July, Joel ended his ten-year residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
But speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 last year, the 75-year-old said he had no plans to stop performing.
“I’m the least glamorous pop star there is,” he said.
“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 do you even come to see me? But it’s all to do with the music.”
Who is Billy Joel’s opening act?
US singer-songwriter Chris Isaak will support Billy Joel on Friday.
The 68-year-old musician from Stockton, California, is best known for his 1989 single “Wicked Game.”
“We had a blast rocking out in the UK last year and are so excited to be back for more headlining shows,” Isaak said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I’m looking forward to supporting Billy Joel again on August 9th at his epic stadium show in Cardiff. It’s going to be an amazing performance!”
When does Billy Joel perform?
Gates to the Principality Stadium will open at 5pm (BST) and Chris Isaak is expected to perform at 6.45pm.
Billy Joel will take the stage around 8pm and the show ends at 10pm.
Which roads will be closed?
On Friday, numerous streets throughout the city center will be closed.
From 7:00 a.m. both Scott Road and Park Street will be closed.
From 3:00 p.m. the city center will be completely closed. This includes:
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Herzogstrasse
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Castle St
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Main Street
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St. Mary’s Street
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Carolinensiel
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Holzstrasse
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Central Square
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Westgate Street
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Quay Street
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Guildhall Square
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Golat
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Parkstrasse
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Havelock Street
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Scott Street
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Kingsway from the junction with North Road to the junction with Duke Street
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Cowbridge Road East from the junction with Cathedral Road to the junction with Westgate Street
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Tudor Street from the junction with Clare Road to the junction with Wood Street
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Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their intersections with Despenser Place to their intersections with Tudor Street
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Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way
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Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the end of the concert and up to one hour after the end of the concert.
All road closures should be lifted by 00:00 after the event.
Trains, buses and parking
Cardiff City Council warned that heavy traffic was expected on the M4 motorway.
On event days, paid parking spaces are available in the community center from 8:00 a.m. to midnight.
The city council operates a park-and-ride service between Leckwith and Fitzhammon Embankment, opposite the stadium.
Transport for Wales said it would increase capacity on rail routes to and from Cardiff.
Great Western Railway said extra trains would be put in place to take people home from the concert that evening.