Billy Joel Songbook coming to Venue Cymru in Llandudno

North Wales Chronicle

2 days ago

The Billy Joel Songbook, performed by singer-songwriter and pianist Elio Pace and his band, will arrive at Venue Cymru on Friday, October 24, as part of a 20-date tour across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The show has already sold out venues across the UK and Europe and is described as a heartfelt tribute to "one of the most iconic musicians, singer-songwriters, and composers of the 20th century."
Pace, who stars in the show, said: "I'd love for us to play every single but with so many songs in this great man's back catalogue we'd need a four-hour show.
"It's so exciting to be returning with The Billy Joel Songbook though and I promise we'll get as many of everyone's favourite songs on the setlist as possible."
The Billy Joel Songbook takes audiences on a journey through five decades of Billy Joel's music, featuring more than 30 hits from his catalogue of 82 singles.
Fans can expect to hear classics including The Longest Time, She's Always A Woman, An Innocent Man, Uptown Girl, Tell Her About It, The River of Dreams, We Didn't Start The Fire, and Piano Man.
The show has played more than 50 sold-out venues in the UK and Ireland over the past three years.
Earlier this year, a special recording of the full performance at London's Bloomsbury Theatre was broadcast on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds to mark Billy Joel's 75th birthday.
Pace said: "We all feel privileged every time we walk on a stage to perform the music of Billy Joel.
"His music is timeless, he is a genius composer and, in my opinion, the greatest singer-songwriter of all time.
"The fact that so many people want to see us perform this is incredibly humbling."
He said the band was looking forward to returning to familiar venues as well as performing in new locations.
Pace said: "We are all delighted we get to take this show on the road yet again revisiting venues we have previously sold out and also travelling to some new towns and cities where we look forward to seeing faces old and new.
"Wales is a particular favourite for us which is why we have decided to bring shows to Cardiff, Swansea, and Llandudno on this tour."
The late broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan was a fan of Pace, describing him as "only sensational."
He served as the musical director for BBC Radio 2's Weekend Wogan in 2010 and performed as the featured artist on all 35 shows that year.
His career has also included collaborations with stars such as Brian May, Huey Lewis, Glen Campbell, Gilbert O'Sullivan, and Lulu.
In 2013 and 2014, Pace was invited to perform in five reunion concerts in the US with Billy Joel's original 1971-72 touring band.
This experience led to the creation of The Billy Joel Songbook tour, which has sold out theatres ever since.
Tickets for the Llandudno show and the full tour are available at www.eliopace.com/tours.