A Piano Man’s Dream: Elio Pace Lights Up the Palladium

Ask almost any actor or musician which stage they dream of performing on -and chances are they’ll name the London Palladium.

Known as the greatest stage on earth, it’s been the beating heart of British variety for over a century, hosting legends such as Nat King Cole, The Beatles – and even, Judy Garland.

It was also the spiritual home of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, whose ashes now rest beneath its celebrated stage.

To perform here is the pinnacle of any career — to sell out this iconic theatre – as Elio Pace and his band did last night – is an achievement to truly celebrate.

And what a night it was.

Let me be transparent from the start: I’ve had the pleasure of calling Elio a friend for close to two decades.

We even collaborated (along with Smithy) years ago on a now-legendary radio jingle for a car supermarket – still fondly remembered by those of us in the business.

And from those early days, I’ve followed Elio’s journey from small venues performing The Billy Joel Songbook to the major stages he now commands both across the UK and internationally.

Friendship aside, there’s simply no denying the extraordinary talent, vision and charisma this man possesses — and the same can certainly be said for his outstanding band.

To call this a “tribute show” would be to miss the point entirely.

The Billy Joel Songbook is not an impersonation – but a heartfelt celebration – part rock concert, part musical storytelling — that captures the spirit, craft and energy of Billy Joel’s music while remaining unmistakably Elio’s own.

His powerhouse vocal and piano performances are matched by the band’s superb musicianship, creating a sound that’s both authentic and explosively alive.

Between songs, Elio weaves a narrative that paints an intimate portrait of Billy Joel’s journey — from his classical roots that shaped his songwriting, to the breakout moment of Captain Jack to the near-miss that produced his career-saving anthem.

Now in its tenth year, the show continues to evolve with fresh arrangements and new additions — including four new songs unveiled for the Palladium audience, drawn from a 30-strong musical journey through Joel’s remarkable catalogue.

You don’t need to be a Billy Joel fan to adore this show; each song stands on its own as a timeless anthem, expertly delivered with passion and precision. The chemistry of the band, who have been with Elio since the concept’s beginnings, remains electric — proof of shared belief and artistry hard-earned over years on the road.

It’s no surprise that The Billy Joel Songbook has now been taken under the wing of Phil McIntyre Live, whose high-profile campaigns are introducing the show to ever broader audiences.

Last night, around 40% of the audience were first-timers — undoubtedly leaving as lifelong fans.

For existing Billy Joel devotees, this is as close as it gets to experiencing the man himself, complete with deep cuts and rare gems that delight the most devoted listeners.

The evening brought some wonderful surprises too: a wave from actor Robert Lindsay, and in the crowd, none other than Rhys Clark — Billy Joel’s original drummer and longtime friend — who had flown in specially from the US.

His presence – and the standing ovation he received, felt like a final seal of approval from the heart of Joel’s musical family.

By the time the final bows were taken, the thunderous applause said it all.

This wasn’t just a performance – it was a celebration of music, memory and mastery on one of the world’s most iconic stages.

The Billy Joel Songbook continues its UK tour through April, with limited tickets remaining for shows at Liverpool Philharmonic (1 April) and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall (3 April).

If you see one show this year, make it this one — a night that truly reminds you why we all fell in love with live music in the first place.

• Tickets from the official Elio Pace Website