Billy Joel and Sting rock a sold out Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

Billy Joel and Sting: A Night of Nostalgia at Lucas Oil Stadium

On February 8, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis played host to a night of pure musical nostalgia, featuring two of the most iconic artists of our time: Billy Joel and Sting. The sold-out crowd was treated to a masterclass in timeless hits, seamless transitions, and an air of excitement and sense of joy that only legends like Joel and Sting can deliver. Personally, I’ve waited for this show since last Fall, when it was postponed in St. Louis at the last minute because of weather.

Sting’s Set: A Commanding Start

The evening kicked off with Joel approaching the microphone, telling us, “Hi, my name is Bill,” to wild applause. He wanted to introduce us to his friend, Sting, who he’s known since the 70s, After a brief handshake, they decided to open with a duet of “Every Little thing She Does Is Magic,”, then as Joel quickly exited, Sting, who took the stage with his signature confidence and a voice that belied his years. He was dressed in his signature youthful ensemble, but he’s often remarked that he’d be doing concerts as long as he could fit into his tight pants.

Sting wasted no time diving into his extensive catalog. Classics like “Every Breath You Take” and “Message in a Bottle” set the tone for the night, with Sting’s powerful vocals and commanding presence captivating the audience from the get-go. His set was a whirlwind of energy, lasting just over an hour, and left the crowd buzzing with anticipation for what was to come, but one can only wonder if he rushed through the set because he felt like he wasn’t getting the audience participation he’d get in a smaller venue. Seriously, while the sound board guys were incredible, I don’t know how much ambient back and forth he’d really be able to hear.

Live Nation told me they’d sold every single seat, but you sure couldn’t tell it from the acoustics. The sound was great everywhere I went. In my cellphone shot, below, you can barely see Sting and his guitarist on the stage, and fans stacked to the rafters.

Billy Joel’s Performance: A Journey Through Time

As Sting exited the stage, the stadium lights dimmed, and the anticipation reached a fever pitch. Billy Joel, with his strong, commanding voice and effortless charm, took the stage to thunderous applause. Joel’s set was a masterclass in storytelling, as he seamlessly transitioned from one hit to the next, taking the audience on a journey through his illustrious career.

Joel came out, sat down beside the piano and said he had bad news, and good news. The bad news was that he didn’t have any new material. But the good news is we didn’t have to sit through a bunch of shit.

That’s exactly what the audience wanted. Joel opened with “Vienna,” a song that resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom were of the same age Joel was when he wrote it. Hits like “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and “Only the Good Die Young” had the audience singing along, creating an atmosphere of shared memories and collective joy. With standout performances by Crystal Taliaferro (from Gary Indiana) and the legendary Mark Rivera, the show was a non stop thrill ride.

Joel’s humor and wit shone throughout the performance, as he quipped about the rotating piano (“That’s it for the special effects”) and made light-hearted remarks about songs he “got in trouble for” like “Only the Good Die Young” and “Sometimes a Fantasy”. His laid-back demeanor and casual wisdom made the evening feel intimate, despite the stadium’s size.

A Night to Remember

The evening concluded with Sting coming back sharply dressed to join Joel’s encore, “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” which he gave a delightful jazzy twist, showcasing his versatility and enduring talent. The crowd’s enthusiastic response was a testament to the night’s success, with fans leaving the stadium with smiles on their faces and hearts full of nostalgia.

Here’s my set list for Sting, but they switched out the last two songs during the concert.

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