Billy Joel and Sting Perform Two of Their Most Classic Songs Together on Their First Co-Headlining Tour Date

The two rock legends teamed up to perform "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Big Man on Mulberry Street" at their joint show at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on Saturday

Billy Joel and Sting
Sting and Billy Joel performing together in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 24, 2024. Photo:

Myrna M. Suarez/Getty

Billy Joel and Sting aren’t passing up the opportunity to rock out together on their joint headlining tour!

As the Piano Man, 74, and The Police frontman, 72, kicked off their string of co-headlining shows in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, the two rock legends surprised the crowd by joining each other on several songs. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers teamed up to duet on two songs: The Police’s “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and Joel’s “Big Man on Mulberry Street.” 

Fans captured footage of Joel and Sting joining forces that they posted to YouTube. 

The British star played his headlining set first, which Joel introduced and then stayed on stage so they could play his opening song together, according to the fan-recorded videos

Billy Joel and Sting
Sting and Billy Joel performing "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" together at Tama's Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 24, 2024.

Myrna M. Suarez/Getty

“I saw this guy when he came with his band to the States and I was blown away when I saw him — this was in the ‘70s,” the “Vienna” singer said while introducing the rocker. “I thought he was great then and I think he’s great now. He’s one of my favorite musicians of all time. Please welcome Sting.” 

The band immediately began playing “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” while the “Roxanne” singer walked over to his tour mate and said, “Stick around and sing with me, will you? You know this one.” 

While Sting sang the first verse, Joel jumped in on the second and the two collaborated on the chorus of the 1981 hit. During the refrain, the two Grammy winners took turns howling different lines and then triumphantly sang together, appearing to feel the other’s energy as they performed facing one another. 

Later during the show when Joel took to the stage for his own headlining set, Sting returned to duet with him on “The Big Man on Mulberry Street,” as seen in fan-captured clips. Fitting the classic crooner vibe of the 1986 song, he reappeared after doing an outfit change — trading his all-black rocker look for a silver suit and black fedora. 

Billy Joel and Sting
Billy Joel and Sting performing "Big Man on Mulberry Street" in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 24, 2024.

Myrna M. Suarez/Getty

The “Message in a Bottle” singer largely took the lead on the song, belting the lyrics while Joel played the tune at the piano and harmonized with him on several verses. Sting appeared to be having a blast, as he started kicking his legs and dancing during the horns section. 

According to fans’ posts on social media, Sting’s frequent collaborator Shaggy also stepped out to join him on “Englishman in New York.” 

Sting and Joel’s Saturday concert was one of several shows they’ll play together in 2024. As Joel wraps up his long-running residency at New York City’s Madison Square Garden this year, the Grammy winner will also set out on the road to play several shows across North America with both Sting and Stevie Nicks

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This spring, the New York legend will play a show with the Fleetwood Mac singer, 75, in Arlington, Texas and another MSG concert before linking back up with the “Every Breath You Take” artist in San Diego in April. In addition to several solo shows and his final residency dates, which officially end in July, he and Nicks will play together again at Chicago’s Soldier Field in June, and he'll play one more concert with Sting in St. Louis, Missouri in September. 

While the “Piano Man” singer is concluding his acclaimed residency after a decades-worth of shows, his run of new live dates comes after the release of his first single in years, “Turn the Lights Back On.”

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