What Time Should I Arrive For An 8pm Concert At Madison Square Garden

Billy Joel In Concert - New York, New York at Madison Square Garden on April 14, 2017 in New York City.

Planning on catching Billy Joel's first-ever live performance in a Valley ballpark when he plays Chase Field on Saturday, March 9?

Here are some things you should know in advance — from parking information to details on the venue's clear bag policy and what to expect from the concert itself.

Can I still buy tickets?

Tickets are available, starting at $49.50 (plus fees) at ticketmaster.com.

How early SHOULD you get there?

Doors open at 6 p.m. and Chase Field is encouraging fans to show up as early as possible to avoid potential delays at the gates as you get closer to show time at 8 p.m.

What songs will Billy Joel sing?

There are certain songs you're almost guaranteed to hear.

The songs he's played at every concert of 2018 and 2019 are: "You May Be Right," "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," "The River of Dreams," "New York State of Mind," "Don't Ask Me Why," "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant," "Piano Man," "The Entertainer," "Allentown," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Uptown Girl," "She's Always a Woman," "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Vienna," and "My Life."

But as Rolling Stone pointed out in a review of his 100th show at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, he's still good about throwing in deep cuts. A recent performance of "This Night" from "An Innocent Man," for instance, was his first performance since 2016, and he hadn't played it since 2008 before that.

As Rolling Stone noted, "At this point he'd be forgiven for merely playing the same hits night after night, but he does all that he can to make sure each show is unique. That's tough, considering he's only got 12 albums, but he's willing to dig extremely deep into that catalog and into a wide assortment of covers to make it happen."

May I bring my beverage of choice?

You may bring any of the following:

Non-flavored/non-carbonated water in sealed, plastic bottles.
EMPTY plastic water bottles.
SEALED single-serving juice boxes.
Formula (and baby food).

You may not bring outside alcohol into the venue.

No metal or glass containers for food or beverages will be permitted.

Thermos containers or those similar in style will not be permitted.

Where can I park?

You can select a lot and pay for parking in advance at parkwhiz.com. Nine days out, they still had spaces left in 12 lots, all within a one-mile radius of Chase Field, from $5-$30.

What about Valley Metro?

A Chase Field rep says, "We do encourage everyone to take public transportation and to arrive early."

Valley Metro operates 365 days a year, with peak hour frequencies of 10 minutes. Evenings and weekends, trains run every 20 minutes. Metro is designed to handle large crowds at Chase Field.

You can buy your fare at any light rail station using cash, credit or debit card — or purchase a pass in advance to avoid lines at the vending machines. It may be best to buy an all-day pass for riding to and from the concert. Once you activate your pass, it's good for unlimited boardings the same day. That way, there's no need to wait in line just to purchase a pass when the concert is over.

Is Park and Ride available?

Here's a list of Valley Park-and-Rides.

Phoenix: 19th and Montebello Avenues; 19th Avenue and Camelback Road, Central Avenue and Camelback Road; and 38th and Washington Streets.

Tempe: Dorsey Lane and Apache Boulevard; McClintock Drive and Apache Boulevard; Loop 101 Freeway and Apache Boulevard.

Mesa: Sycamore and Main Street.

Rideshare

For best pick-ups, head north of the stadium to Washington Street. The suggested pick-up and drop-off area is Washington and Fifth Street.

Billy Joel's performance at Chase Field will mark his first time playing at a ballpark in the Valley.

If you choose to drive

Chase Field is at 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. It is bounded by Seventh Street to the east, Fourth Street to the west, Jefferson Street to the north, and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks to the south.

From the Southeast Valley

Take I-10, use the right three lanes to I-17 at the split, and exit to the right on Seventh Street, then turn left at the light on Lincoln Street. Or, continue north on Seventh Street to Jefferson Street, then turn right to access parking facilities east of Seventh Street.

A word to the wise: Left turns from Seventh Street westbound onto Washington Street are prohibited.

To avoid congestion, continue on I-17 to the 7th Ave. exit, turn right on 7th, going northbound and turn right at Lincoln or Jefferson Street.

From Scottsdale or East Mesa

Take Loop 202 west to the I-10 and exit at the Third Street HOV exit or Seventh Avenue. Turn left on Fillmore, Van Buren (accessible from Third Street only) or Jefferson Street.

From the Northwest Valley

Use I-17 to the Jefferson Street exit, then turn left and continue eastbound.

From the Northeast Valley

Use the Squaw Peak Parkway to I-10 east, exit at Washington Street and turn right — or take I-10 west to the Seventh Street exit and turn left.

To avoid congestion, continue on I-10 to Seventh Avenue or the Fifth Avenue HOV exit. Turn left on Fillmore, Van Buren (accessible from Fifth Avenue only) or Jefferson Street.

From North Central Phoenix

Use surface streets, including Seventh Avenue, First Avenue and Seventh Street.

Due to heavy usage, Seventh Street is the least-preferred option.

From the West Valley

Take I-10 to Seventh Avenue or the Fifth Avenue HOV exit, and turn right on whichever street you've chosen. Turn left on Fillmore, Van Buren (accessible from Fifth Avenue only) or Jefferson Streets for parking.

Getting through security

As you approach a gate, your ticket will be scanned, and you will be instructed to remove your cell phone or larger metal objects, then place them in a bin on the table or inside your personal handbag or backpack.

Small sets of keys or change will not be required to be put into the bin. Security will then check any bags you may be carrying, then ask you to proceed through the metal detector.

How big of a bag can you bring?

Large bags or items that exceed 11" x 11" x 15" in dimension will not be allowed into the ballpark.

Soft coolers only will be authorized as long as they are within the 11" x 11" x 15" requirement. Any food item should be brought in a clear plastic grocery-style bag. This will reduce your wait time at the gates.

Bags larger than 11" x 11" x 15" in dimension will not be stored or checked by Chase Field due to safety and security concerns.

What kind of weapons can I bring?

Weapons of any kind, including pocketknives, are prohibited. Pocketknives may be taken back to your vehicle.

Chase Field will not hold or store personal items.

Only active Federal or Arizona State Law Enforcement Officers may enter with a firearm. Credentials will be verified at the time of entry.

Other things not to bring to Billy Joel

The following item are prohibited:

Animals (except for service animals)
Aerosol cans
Drones and other remote-controlled vehicles
Drugs or other illegal substances (including medical marijuana)
AGAIN, firearms, knives or weapons of any kind
Masks (except those that are medically required)
Fireworks or other incendiary devices
Camera tri-, dual- or single-leg pods by non-media personnel
Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, razors, or shoes with wheels
Obscene, offensive, indecent, or inappropriate clothing/attire
Blow horns or noisemakers
Umbrellas
Fishing nets
Beach balls, balloons or other inflatables (without prior approval)
Laser pens
Banners containing commercial, political or obscene material, or that block guest views
Frisbees
Bicycles (although there are approved bike parking racks)
"Bubble-making" liquids, machines, etc. for blowing bubbles.

Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of Chase Field management, so don't bring a canoe or a lawnmower just because it didn't make the list of things you shouldn't bring.

Medical security concerns

Gates A, C, E, J, K, and the Bridge Entrance will have lanes available for those who cannot go through a metal detector because of a mobility device.Guests using these lanes will be subject to a light pat-down search or use of hand wand, as well inspection of the mobility device.

Metal detectors are safe for all individuals, including pregnant women, children, and guests with pacemakers. Metal detectors operate at a very low frequency of electromagnetic pulse, a level lower than you would be exposed to routinely from a cell phone or garage door opener. All metal detectors are manufactured in compliance with international technical and medical standards. The risk of disrupting a pacemaker is negligible.

However, if you are concerned, there is an option of a pat-down search.

If a medical implant sets off the detector, fans will be subject to a security follow-up screening, which may include the use of a hand wand or light pat-down search.

Billy Joel-themed food and drink?

In addition to the standard menu options at Chase Field, there will be Billy Joel-themed food and drink. These include:

The "Big Shot" Stromboli, featuring beef barbacoa, mole sauce, Chihuahua cheese, roasted poblano pepper, and caramelized onions stuffed inside Cotija cheese and Mexican oregano-seasoned pizza dough and served with avocado and charred tomato crema. The "Big Shot" Stromboli will be available for $13 at Red Hot Grill (sections 118 and 139).
The "Captain Jack" Whiskey Sour, featuring Jack Daniel's and sour mix with a garnish of maraschino cherry. The 16 oz. beverage will be available for $13 at all liquor bars throughout the stadium.
"Bottle of Red, Bottle of White" wine carafes will include a full bottle (750ml) of either red or white wine, including selections from Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. The carafes will be served with two wine glasses and will be available at all liquor portables and dining locations on the field.

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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