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Musical legends Billy Joel and Elton John will continue their Face 2 Face Tour at the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center May 7.
The Face 2 Face Tour, which began in Philadelphia in 1994, is the duo’s longest-running concert series. The musical superstars sold out their last concert at the Kohl Center on April 6, 2003, attracting a crowd of more than 16,000 fans.
The concert is organized by Fred Frank of Frank Productions, who said both artists are ready for another visit to Madison.
“They have a great track record,” Frank said. “They were here six years ago and sold out; six years ago is a long time, and they are ready to come back to a great town.”
Frank also said Joel and John’s management firm contacted Frank Productions seeking the Kohl Center as a venue for their tour. This is the duo’s only stop in Wisconsin.
This is John’s fourth appearance at the Kohl Center. John, who used a smaller stage for his solo concert at the Kohl Center in 1998, holds the greatest attendance record at the stadium with 17,236 fans.
In an e-mail to The Badger Herald, Claire Mercuri, spokesperson for Joel, said Wisconsin was routed on the tour. She added the Kohl Center is a great venue for the musicians to perform in, and the musicians are excited to perform with each other.
“They are great friends and enjoy performing together,” Mercuri said.
Vince Sweeney, senior associate athletic director at the UW Athletic Department, said the concert benefits the Kohl Center positively from a fiscal standpoint.
Sweeney expects the concert to sell out, however, he expects John’s 1998 attendance record to stay intact.
“I don’t think the current configuration of the stage permits that many seats,” Sweeney said. “My estimate for the number of seats is between 14,500 and 16,000, but there is no exact figure.”
Joel and John will open the concert playing twin pianos and singing a series of duets. Both superstars also play a solo musical set with their respective bands.
“The great thing about performing with Elton is that he is such a good piano player and that makes me have to dig deep to keep up with him,” Joel said in a statement.
The concert ends with the duo reuniting on stage for an encore, playing one another’s hit songs and a number of rock ‘n’ roll classics.
Ticket prices are $179.50, $99.50 and $54. Despite inflation, Frank says ticket prices are exactly the same as they were in 2003.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 and will be available online only through www.uwbadgers.com. Tickets will also be sold through the UW Athletic Ticket Office, which is located at Gate 1 of Camp Randall Stadium.
“This is as big as it gets, these two artists together,” Frank said.
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This is bs, The Kohl center is a UW building http://www.fpm.wisc.edu/smoasp/FaciliityInfoRegistry.asp?Building=0225&wing= unless this concert will bring in cash for the UW it b.s.
Let them go to the Allient center and bring in bands that college kids will want to go see. I mean the last major show at the Kohl was Foo Fighters/Dylan, that was 2 years ago. Part of the reason the campus music scene sucks is the lack of a large venue to bring in some of the bigger acts (and yes I support local smaller acts, steez, AJ’s blues night, etc…). I want to know that the promoters are paying 100% for the venue, even then I still disagree with the choice, its a UW facility and should be catering to the UW body.
Thats not to say I don’t like the two musicians I just think they are at the wrong venue. Kohl center staff try it, bring in a few other bands, stuff like say Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sister Hazel, Steve Miller Band, Guster, etc…
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yeah it’s really not worth those other bands you mentioned coming to the kohl center, i highly doubt they would sell enough seats to make it financially profitable for the Kohl Center/Athletic Department. as far as you worrying that it’s a UW facility, the kohl center was paid for and is supported by the athletic dept. and private donations so they can bring in whoever they want…