Billy Joel Set For Single Australian Stadium Gig

Billy Joel will head Down Under for one night only on December 10th to play Melbourne, Australia's Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tickets to the show, which marks Billy's performance in Melbourne in 14 years, will go on sale Monday, July 4th (10 a.m. AEST) via frontiertouring.com/billyjoel.

According to the announcement, “Performing one Australian show only in Melbourne’s most iconic stadium, the concert is presented in partnership with 'Always Live,' a state-wide celebration of contemporary live music supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria.”

Billy Joel said in a statement rolling out the December Melbourne gig:

I’m happy to announce that I’m finally coming to Australia to do one exclusive show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of 'Always Live.' It’s been a really long time since I’ve been there, I’m really looking forward to coming and I’m bringing the whole family and we’re going to enjoy it. I’ll see you there.

Billy Joel told us he was barely in his teens when he realized the power that his musical talent held: “There's a wizardry to it, there's kind of a sorcery to the manipulation of sound. I mean, I was just a little guy; I wasn't a real social butterfly. I'd be at somebody's house and I'd kind of wander over and play the piano and it enchanted other people. And when I came of age and started liking girls, I realized, this is better than a sports car (laughs), y'know? I play the piano and I'd look up and there's a girl, I play a little more, there's another girl; I said, 'This is great.' I recognized the power that's inherent in music.”

UPDATED: Billy Joel tour dates (subject to change):

June 25 – Notre Dame, IN – Notre Dame Stadium
July 9 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park
July 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
August 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Concert At PNC Park
August 24 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
September 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
September 23 – Houston, TX – Minute Maid Park
October 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
November 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
December 10 – Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground