Billy Joel’s monthly Madison Square Garden residency ended with its final performance on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The date was announced by Joel’s official site on November 2, 2023, after MSG Entertainment had first announced the residency’s conclusion on June 1, 2023. The finale was Joel’s 150th lifetime performance at the Garden and the 104th show in the monthly residency run. Ending that MSG engagement was not, by itself, a retirement announcement.
When did Billy Joel announce the residency would end?
MSG Entertainment announced on June 1, 2023 that Joel’s monthly Madison Square Garden franchise run would conclude in July 2024, after ten years. At that point, the announcement gave the month but not the exact final date. Joel’s official site named Thursday, July 25, 2024 as the final show on November 2, 2023, and listed nine shows still to come, beginning November 22, 2023. MSG Entertainment’s June 2023 announcement and Joel’s official final-show announcement document those two steps.
What happened at the final show?
Joel performed at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024. MSG described it as both his 150th lifetime performance at the venue and the final, 104th performance in the monthly franchise run. MSG’s retrospective on the finale confirms the completed show and the two counts.
Why are the counts 104 and 150?
The numbers count different things. The 104 refers only to performances in the monthly franchise residency. The 150 includes Joel’s earlier Garden appearances as well: MSG says his first performance at the venue was December 14, 1978. The residency began in January 2014, after MSG named Joel its first-ever music franchise in December 2013.
#1 Best Overall
- High Fidelity: Hearprotek Music ear plugs do an effective job of bringing down the overall volume, blocking background noises at a comfortable level while preserving the sound clarity and sharpness and you will be able to hear different sound frequencies
- 20 db Noise Reduction: Comes with 2 sets of 20 db ear plugs in different sizes (small & standard), cutting up an impressive 20 db's of sound volume. You can always have your spare plug in case any plugs are fallen out unfortunately or missing
- Designed For Comfort: Made of high quality silicone material that provides comfort from prolonged usage. They are designed to have an ergonomic curved body that follows the shape of your ear canal, which provides a snag and comfortable fit
- Discrete & Portable: Low-profile design with translucent or frosted shells for a discreet look on stage, at concerts, clubs, or the office. Includes a soft silicone detachable cord and comes in a long-lasting aluminum case with a carabiner, making it easy to clip to belts or bags and keep your plugs secure
- Warm Tips: While these earplugs do not block all noise completely, they maintain music quality and keep the volume at a safer level. Not recommended for activities which need high noise reduction level like sleeping, hunting, or shooting
| Milestone | Date or count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| First performance at Madison Square Garden | December 14, 1978 | Joel’s Garden performances predate the residency. |
| Named MSG’s first-ever music franchise | December 2013 | The venue announced the franchise before the monthly run began. |
| Monthly residency began | January 2014 | The recurring Garden engagement started. |
| Final residency performance | 104th franchise show | The count for the monthly franchise run, as reported by MSG in 2024. |
| Final lifetime Garden performance | 150th MSG performance | The lifetime total, including earlier appearances, as reported by MSG in 2024. |
MSG said the run sold more than 1.6 million tickets to fans from all 50 U.S. states and more than 120 countries. That is a ticket-sales figure, not a verified count of unique attendees.
What did Joel say about ending the run?
In the June 1, 2023 announcement, Joel said he was “kind of flabbergasted that it lasted as long as it did.” He added: “My team tells me that we could continue to sell tickets, but ten years, 150 shows – all right already!” He also said, “It’s hard to end, even at 150 lifetime shows. I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful thing that’s happened here.”
Rank #2
- High Fidelity: Hearprotek Music ear plugs do an effective job of bringing down the overall volume, blocking background noises at a comfortable level while preserving the sound clarity and sharpness and you will be able to hear different sound frequencies
- 23 db Noise Reduction: Comes with 2 sets of 23 db ear plugs in different sizes (small & standard), cutting up an impressive 23 db's of sound volume. You can always have your spare plug in case any plugs are fallen out unfortunately or missing
- Designed For Comfort: Made of high quality silicone material that provides comfort from prolonged usage. They are designed to have an ergonomic curved body that follows the shape of your ear canal, which provides a snag and comfortable fit
- Discrete & Portable: Low-profile design with translucent or frosted shells for a discreet look on stage, at concerts, clubs, or the office. Includes a soft silicone detachable cord and comes in a long-lasting aluminum case with a carabiner, making it easy to clip to belts or bags and keep your plugs secure
- Warm tips: The earplugs will not block all the noise completely, but they will preserve the quality of the music and make the volume within a safer listening level. So they’re not recommended for sleeping, hunting, shooting, motorcycling etc
His comments framed the decision as the close of a long-running Garden engagement despite continued ticket demand. The announcement did not attribute the decision to a medical condition.
Did ending the Garden residency mean Billy Joel retired?
No. The 2023 announcement concerned Joel’s Madison Square Garden franchise run; it did not announce that he was retiring from performing. The Associated Press reported that Joel continued touring after the July 2024 finale. In May 2025, AP reported that he canceled upcoming concerts after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus. That later health news is separate from the reason given for ending the residency. The Associated Press’s May 23, 2025 report covers the diagnosis and concert cancellations.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- HIGH FIDELITY EAR PLUGS - You may experience muffling when you wear foam-based ones. But those days are gone. You will be able to hear different sound frequencies and talk to people with these HIFI earplugs since they reduce noise evenly and maintain the full frequency.
- ECO-FRIENDLY DESIGN - These hypoallergenic silicone earplugs are washable and reusable, so if you keep them right, they will stay with you for years. In contrast, the Polyurethane foam takes up to 5 years to degrade in nature. So it's cool to have personalized and exclusive silicone earplugs!
- NOISE REDUCTION 23dB - The acoustic filter elements in the ear plug can reduce the volume by 23 dB, which is an ideal value for concerts or band rehearsals. So you can do more of what you love while minimizing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety.
- REURE CAN PROTECT YOU ANYWHERE - The compact case protects your earplugs. You can attach it on your key chain, jeans, or backpack and it can follow you anywhere. Ideal for concerts, noise sensitivity, tinnitus relief, motorcycles, musicians, sports events, flying, sleeping noise cancelling, etc.
- PERFECT FIT GUARANTEE - Every order comes with two pairs of different-sized ear plugs so that you can have the most comfortable experience. If you have any problems when you are using it, please get in touch with our support team to get the best after-sales service 🙂
What was planned for the 2024 finale?
For the time-limited July 2024 event, MSG announced a “Defining Moments” exhibit featuring memorabilia, themed concessions, and a photo activation. A “Billy Joel 150” pop-up was planned for Chase Square, and MSG said no ticket was needed to access it. The listed merchandise included an embroidered varsity jacket, T-shirts, posters, screen prints, hats, tote bags, and mugs. These were details of the 2024 finale, not confirmation that those items remain available now. MSG’s event listing is the venue’s event page; the finale-specific exhibit and merchandise details were announced in its final-show retrospective.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High Fidelity Concert Earplugs for Music Lovers – Protect your hearing at concerts, music festivals, raves, clubs, and sporting events with up to 21 dB noise reduction (NRR 16 dB) while preserving clear, balanced sound for DJs, musicians, and live music fans.
- Advanced Acoustic Filters for Clear Sound – Unlike foam earplugs, these High Fidelity Earplugs reduce volume evenly across frequencies so vocals, bass, and instruments stay crisp, making them ideal musician earplugs for concerts, festivals, and loud environments.
- Comfortable Secure Fit for Long Wear – Includes two interchangeable shell sizes (standard and small) for a custom ergonomic fit across ear shapes, using soft hypoallergenic silicone designed for extended use at concerts, festivals, travel, and daily noise reduction.
- Portable Metal Keychain Carrying Case – Durable aluminum case keeps your concert earplugs clean, protected, and always accessible on your keychain, backpack, or pocket—perfect for festivals, nightlife, travel, and everyday hearing protection on the go.
- Stylish Blue Design for Concerts and Festivals – Modern blue earplugs deliver standout style while maintaining a low-profile fit, making them perfect festival earplugs, rave earplugs, and concert accessories for music lovers who want both performance and aesthetics.
Rank #4
- LESS NOISE, CRISPER SOUND – Enjoy the moment at your volume with Experience 2 earplugs. Designed with live events in mind, Experience 2 earplugs lower the volume without compromising sound quality, ensuring a crisp, clear listening experience at concerts, festivals, sporting events and beyond.
- CERTIFIED HEARING PROTECTION – Loop Experience 2 earplugs qualify as certified hearing protection, keeping your ears safe from damaging noise for peace of mind in loud situations. Experience 2 offers 17 dB (SNR) of filtered noise reduction.
- MADE FOR DANCING AND MOVING – Designed to stay put day and night, Experience 2 earplugs are the perfect event companion. Customize your fit with 4 upgraded ear tip sizes for a secure fit, even in smaller ears. Loop earplugs are reusable, easy to clean and built to last.
- EASY TO USE – Experience 2 earplugs are easy to insert and come with adjustable ear tip sizes for optimal noise reduction and a comfortable fit throughout the day. Just pop them in, twist to secure and head out at your volume. When inserted correctly, Experience 2 earplugs shouldn't stick out from the front.
- IN THE BOX – 1 set of Loop Experience 2 earplugs, 4 sets of silicone ear tips (sizes XS + S + M + L – M comes pre-installed), 1 portable and convenient keychain Carry Case.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
