Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel Open Concert Series as Nicks Pays Tribute to Christine McVie
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Billy Joel joined Stevie Nicks to perform “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” at SoFi Stadium, March 10, 2023
Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel played the first of their highly anticipated double bill concert series on Friday (March 10, 2023). The pair of classic rock legends performed at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood. The series of nine monthly concerts, billed as “Two Icons – One Night,” was announced piecemeal. On Nov. 2, the first date – next month’s concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. – was revealed and it appeared to be a one-off event. But a day later, another pair of shows was announced including what ultimately became the opener at the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Over the following weeks, more dates in the run, at football stadiums around the U.S., continued to be announced; it runs through Nov. 10.
Nicks opened the Friday night show with her first concert since the death of her longtime Fleetwood Mac bandmate, Christine McVie, who died last November. And as she sang the finale of her 16-song set, a series of photos of her “best friend” appeared on the screen behind her. Before she finished the song, Nicks stopped singing and became visibly emotional. She spoke, while choking back the tears, closing with “Thank you, Christine,” before being comforted by her band leader, the guitarist Waddy Wachtel, and taking a bow with her eight-piece band.
Nicks’ 16-song set naturally featured favorites from her Fleetwood Mac years (“Dreams,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Gypsy”) and solo hits (“Edge of Seventeen,” “Stand Back”), as well as her customary cover of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” On this evening, she performed the signature hit duet, which she recorded in 1981 with Tom Petty and many of the Heartbreakers, with Joel.
Watch her perform “Stand Back”
Stevie Nicks, March 10, 2023, Setlist
Nicks teared up during her emotional performance of “Landslide”
Outside the Rain
Dreams
If Anyone Falls
Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (with Billy Joel)
Fall From Grace
For What It’s Worth
Gypsy
Wild Heart
Bella Donna
Stand Back
Free Fallin’
Gold Dust Woman
Sara
Edge of Seventeen
Encore
Rhiannon
Landslide
Joel warmed up for his own set, hours earlier in his hotel room.
Warming up for tonight! #wecanworkitout@paulmccartney Stevie Nicks Billy Joel @sofistadium
Tonight! pic.twitter.com/qUpfMZamNb— Billy Joel (@billyjoel) March 10, 2023
Joel is clearly the headliner for these shows, and he started his own 21-song set with the buoyant “My Life,” as the crowd cheered throughout.
Nine songs in, he welcomed Nicks back to the stage, and together they sang “And So It Goes” while she stood across from Joel’s piano. She departed, after a hug and a kiss.
Joel performed his signature song for the final number of his main set.
Two songs into his encore, Joel sang “Uptown Girl.”
Billy Joel, March 10, 2023, Setlist
My Life
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
Vienna
Zanzibar
An Innocent Man
Don’t Ask Me Why
Just the Way You Are
Allentown
And So It Goes (with Stevie Nicks)
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams
Nessun Dorma
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
Encore
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Uptown Girl
It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me
Big Shot
You May Be Right
Tickets for the monthly series are available here and here.
Related: Joel is frequently joined onstage by surprise guests at his MSG residency
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationI can just see Nicks doing that choked up bit at every show. What does that tell you about her? Showboating emotions about her dead best friend is good business.