Billy Joel rocks Raleigh with hits, deep cuts

The Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, returned to the Triangle on Sunday night for a much hyped show that surpassed expectations and made good on Joel's promise to dig deep into his catalog on this tour.

The packed PNC Center erupted when Joel took the stage and launched into the classic "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)." The electricity continued into the synth rocker "Pressure" and then the first curve ball of the night appeared. The deep cut "Sometimes a Fantasy" from the album Glass Houses was the third song in the set and quickly became one of the best songs of the night. Joel had said in an interview last year that when he toured again he didn't want to simply play greatest hits sets and this was the first song of the night that showed he wasn't kidding.

Billy Joel announces 2014 dates, coming to Raleigh

After much fanfare and a day full of rumormongering on Twitter, Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane announced today that Billy Joel will play PNC Arena in Raleigh next year.

The Piano Man will take the stage at PNC Arena on Sunday, February 9. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, December 14, at 10 am via Ticketmaster and the arena box office. Prices range from $39-119.

Joel, who last played Raleigh in 2007, recently announced a indefinite residency at New York's Madison Square Garden, saying he would play the arena monthly "as long as there was demand." Those hoping (like myself) this was a sign that he'd play occasional one-off shows in other parts of the country were proved right with this morning's announcement, and those from other venues. A complete list of current dates is below.

Piano man to play RBC

The RBC Center has released yet another concert date for the 2007 season, and this is one that I'm particularly excited about.

Billy Joel will make a stop at the arena on March 3. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Dec. 2, through Ticketmaster and the venue box office.

I know, Billy Joel isn't supposed to be "cool," but I really don't care. I'll take "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" any day over 99% of what they play on G105.

In related news, Movin' Out, the musical based on Joel's tunes will return to the Progress Energy Center in downtown Raleigh Jan. 2-7. Show info is here. Looks like there will be many places for dorks like me to get their Billy Joel fix over the next few months.