Big news from HSBC Arena officials today, as they announced that the Billy Joel/Elton John and Metallica tours will visit Western New York in 2009.
Big shows such as this rarely have visited Buffalo of late, with The Police among the few exceptions with their visit last year. This is a huge victory for local music fans, who usually have to travel to Toronto, Pittsburgh or Cleveland to see the biggest acts.
Look for more on this in an upcoming Night & Day. In the meantime, here are the official announcements.
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Billy Joel and Elton John, the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, will reunite for their 
Face 2 Face tour at HSBC Arena on Friday, July 24, 2009. Billy and Elton open the concert with a series of duets, playing twin pianos and trading vocals. Each artist then performs a set with his own band. A grand finale brings the two superstars and their supporting musicians back together for a closing encore. This includes some of both Billy and Elton’s greatest hits along with an unpredictable selection of rock and roll classics.
Tickets for the July 24th HSBC Arena performance will go on sale Saturday, March 28 at 9:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at Tickets.com, HSBC Arena Box Office, all Tickets.com Outlets, or Charge By Phone at 888-223-6000. Handbill policy in effect. Handbills currently available. There will be a limit of 6 (six) tickets per customer.
“HSBC Arena is thrilled to host this mega-event featuring two of the most gifted and recognized musical superstars of our time” said Jennifer Van Rysdam, Director of Event Booking at HSBC Arena. “It is an incredible opportunity for Buffalo fans to see two such prestigious artists in one show.”
This will be Billy Joel and Elton John’s second performance together at HSBC Arena. Previously they had performed to a sold out crowd on March 9, 2003.
“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, not to mention I’ve got the best seat in the house-only one piano away from Elton John!” said Billy Joel.
“I love touring with Billy. I have the greatest respect for him and we’re such good friends,” Elton John said.
Concert dates announced this year for the Face 2 Face tour immediately sold-out and include two concerts at Toronto’s Air Canada Center, and multiple nights at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Philadelphia’s Citizen Bank Ballpark, in addition to concerts in Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, and Tampa.
Billy and Elton last toured together in 2003 with 24 sellouts. According to Billboard Magazine the Face 2 Face tour starring Elton John and Billy Joel was “the most successful touring package of all time.”
Reserved Seat Tickets: $179.50, $99.50, $49.50 plus applicable service charges
Tickets will be available at Tickets.com, HSBC Arena Box Office, all Tickets.com Outlets, or Charge By Phone at 888-223-6000.
Ticket limit 6 (six) per customer.
Random Handbill Policy: HANDBILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
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Metallica
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 – HSBC Arena at 7:00 PM
Tickets on Sale Saturday, April 4th at 9:00 AM
Tickets are $72 (General Admission Floor and Reserved) and $52 (Reserved). All prices include $2.50 faciity fee and a 50 cent donation to local charity.
There will be a random handbill policy in effect. HANDBILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. There is a four ticket limit per person. Tickets can be purchased at the HSBC Arena Box Office and all tickets.com outlets, including participating Tops Markets. Tickets are also available on line at http://www.tickets.com. All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. For more information, or to charge by phone, call toll free at (888) 223-6000. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges (no service charge applies at HSBC Arena Box Office).
Random Handbill Policy: HANDBILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
Life in the Slow Lane 