Bottles and Tributes
Ezra Koenig and his band made sure Billy Joel’s music still filled Madison Square Garden by playing a special version of “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.”
They recreated the famous tune from “The Stranger,” complete with a couple enjoying wine and an Italian meal on stage. This gesture was a nod to the Piano Man’s long-standing connection with the venue.
Encore Surprises
During their tour, the group has been delighting fans with encores that include bits of songs requested by the crowd. On Saturday, they played snippets from Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work,” the Clash’s “London Calling,” Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m Goin’ Down,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and even more Joel with a taste of “My Life.”
People love it when bands play unexpected covers; it feels like a gift just for them.
Coming Back to MSG
Vampire Weekend is set to return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. Billy Joel wrapped up his residency earlier this summer with a final performance featuring Axl Rose as a guest. Though he won’t be returning to the Garden soon, Joel has plans for some big shows in 2025, sharing the stage with Sting or Stevie Nicks.
