Billy Joel is going big for his Barclays Center debut. Organizers announced today that the singer-songwriter will perform at Brooklyn’s rust-coated arena on New Year’s Eve, marking his first solo concert in NYC since playing the final show at Shea Stadium in 2008.
Tickets range from $64.50 to $199.50 and go on sale Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. There’s an eight-ticket limit per household.
JUST ANNOUNCED: @billyjoel is coming to Barclays Center on New Year’s Eve! Tickets on sale Nov. 9. #BillyInBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/CTfdpMkfVc
— Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 31, 2013
The “Piano Man” crooner was not on hand for the announcement outside Barclays, which since opening in September 2012 has hosted major artists like the Rolling Stones, Jay Z and Barbra Streisand. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz could barely contain his excitement at the press conference Thursday morning.
“How sweet it is,” Markowitz said, according to Newsday. “Say goodbye to Hollywood. Say goodbye to Manhattan. Say hello to Brooklyn… Billy Joel, you finally made it to the big time.”
Promoter Ron Delsener called Joel “the greatest symbol of America that we could have today.”
The concert will begin at 9:30 p.m., with Ben Folds Five as the opening act.
Joel is of course more widely known for his association with another NYC arena, Madison Square Garden, where he holds the record for most-consecutive sold-out concerts with 12. His last appearance at MSG was for the “12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief” event on Dec. 12, 2012.
Before he touches down in Brooklyn, however, Joel is performing several dates in Ireland and the UK, beginning tomorrow (Nov. 1) in Dublin.