SALT LAKE CITY — Two of the biggest names in rock and roll music will kickoff an incredible night of music at a huge concert planned for Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Billy Joel and Sting will perform on the University of Utah campus stadium on Friday, May 23.
“It’s going to be once in a lifetime,” said Utah junior Jack Desmond
It will be a rare appearance for Joel in Salt Lake City, who has only performed once in Utah over the last 17 years. He and Sting have toured together over the last few years, with the duo announcing four new shows Thursday.
“Super big, I feel like both of their names kind of both speak for themselves," said junior Kristofer Hoon. "I mean, Billy Joel doesn’t really need any sort of introduction and Sting lives in a castle.”
Students like Hoon are shocked the two legendary musicians will play on their field.
“Just assumed [Joel] was done after his last tour, so the fact that he’s going to be here, five minutes from my apartment is going to be, I’m really excited. It’s going to be awesome,” he said.
“I’m pretty excited," added Desmond. "You know, here’s a lot of modern music but I’m not like, you know, it hasn’t fully grabbed me. But I know Billy Joel and I know Sting, I know their music pretty well.”
Tickets for the concert will go on sale to the public through Ticketmaster on Friday, October 4 at 10 a.m. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Monday at 10 a.m. MT until Thursday, October 3 at 10 p.m.
“It’s the 'Piano Man' and Sting, it’s super unique and I think if somebody has been a fan or wants to be a fan, it’s an event for a lifetime," said Jason Farrell, president of Live Nation Utah. "It’s something people will remember for a long time.”
Rice-Eccles Stadium has hosted a handful of major acts through the years, with George Strait, Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton the last artists to play on campus back in June.
