Photos / Video / Setlist | Billy Joel @ Wrigley Field 8/11/17

Photos: John 'Nunu' Zomot

I'm not gonna lie, we haven't been kind to Billy Joel around these parts.  But I'm also gonna hand it to him, pretty sure Wrigley Field can be considered "his room" at this point, having played the venerable stadium more than any other act.

So 2017, a year in which the ballpark will host most shows than ever before, wouldln't be complete without a Billy visit.

As usual, it's a greatest hits affair, with a handful of choice covers thrown in (The Beatles' "Hard Days Night", Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4", Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" among them) -- the stage and sensibilities outsized to fit the hugeness of the venue.

But the scope doesn't detract from connection that fans the filled the stadium have with Joel.  They've supported him through decades and he delivers exactly what they ordered from behind his baby grand.

He even admits that his quickie, early set rendition of "Go Cubs Go" is a "cheap trick", not that it mattered much to a crowd who may have been equally in love with the setting as The Entertainer.

Alternatively, his cover of "A Day In The Life" seemed to uncover some genuine emotion -- and connection to rock history.

Yes, the "regular crowd" can't get enough of the Piano Man -- and he appears happy to oblige.