ARRI cameras capture Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden concert

To capture music legend Billy Joel’s historic 100^th consecutive performance of his residency at Madison Square Garden, show producers turned to ARRI’s ALEXA 35 and Mini LF cameras for this primetime broadcast on CBS.

This once-in-a-lifetime special event demanded the highest quality imaging technology for which ARRI is known. The concert has since set new standards for live concert broadcasts, earned multiple Emmy nominations, and impressed exacting artist Billy Joel who praised the result: “I’m never comfortable how I look on camera, but this is the best our show has ever looked on film.”

The live performance took place on March 28, 2024, at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City and was a crowning achievement in Joel’s unprecedented MSG residency. Producers realized the visual presentation needed to match the magnitude of the moment: “We knew this wasn’t just another show,” said Barry Ehrmann, Executive Producer at Enliven Entertainment. “Billy’s 100^th concert at The Garden was a historic milestone. We needed cameras that could deliver an unparalleled visual experience to viewers at home, preserving the energy and intimacy of this landmark performance for posterity.”

The decision to use ARRI’s ALEXA 35 and Mini LF cameras proved pivotal in achieving the production’s vivid look. Known for their robustness and reliability in a live multicam workflow, and with superior dynamic range, color science, and low-light performance, these flagship cameras are the go-to choice for cinematographers seeking to create visually stunning imagery for live entertainment. Ehrmann further elaborated on his choice: “ARRI cameras are always my first choice for multicam concert productions. The ALEXA 35 and Mini LF models are unsurpassed, standing far beyond any other offerings in the market. They made Billy and Madison Square Garden come alive for this production!” Show Director Paul Dugdale also commented: “I love the look of ARRI cameras, and we have used the full range in our concert films, from ALEXAs, Minis, to multiple ALEXA 65s. I particularly love the way that they handle shooting into light, which is obviously so frequent in concert movies. 2011 was the first time we integrated ARRI cameras into a large multi-camera shoot, and since then ARRI has been my go-to camera whenever the opportunity has presented itself.” Cinematographer Brett Turnbull also chimed in: “ARRI has always understood what cinematographers need most to produce beautiful images, and get their job done creatively and efficiently.”

The cameras’ exceptional performance in varied lighting conditions enabled the production team to capture both the intimacy of Joel’s performance and the grandeur of Madison Square Garden, resulting in a viewing experience that blurred the lines between live concert and emotional feature. Steve Cohen, Billy Joel’s Lighting Designer, Creative Director, and Executive Producer was impressed at the cameras’ ability to capture his vision: “The incredible depth and clarity from these cameras made my lighting design so effective and realistic. It literally looked the same on film as it did to the naked eye—which is unheard of. ARRI’s technology allowed us to create a dramatic look that’s rarely seen in live concert broadcasts.”

The resulting CBS special, which aired on April 14, 2024, not only drew an impressive audience of over 23 million viewers but also caught the eye of the Television Academy, garnering nominations in several prestigious Emmy® categories: Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Direction for a Variety Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special. 

Funicular Goats provided state-of-the-art equipment, workflow, and technical management for the production, requiring the highest quality visual aesthetic. Integrating the cameras into flypacks and overall engineering architecture, Morgan Kellum, Partner at Funicular Goats, commented: “Working with Barry, Paul, and Brett is always a great experience. They really have a clear vision of what they want to capture, and the ARRI cameras have performed amazingly, in both visual and technical terms, and really brought this vision to life.” By providing comprehensive technical management and multicamera solutions, Funicular Goats enabled the creative team to focus on crafting an exceptional visual experience for Billy Joel’s worldwide fanbase.

The success of this production sets a new benchmark for live entertainment, demonstrating how the right choice in camera technology can transform a live event into a visual experience. Peter Crithary, Vice President of Live Entertainment at ARRI comments: “ARRI cameras have the ability to render not just images, but emotion and atmosphere. Capturing Billy Joel’s 100th concert with our ALEXA 35 and Mini LF cameras in a multicam live event where failure is not an option showcases ARRI’s commitment to live entertainment and we’re excited to build on this success with our new ALEXA 35 Live – Multicam System with integrated fiber.”

As the industry looks forward to the Emmy Awards ceremony, this production is a shining example of the dramatic potential in live entertainment. It highlights how the marriage of iconic musical talent with ARRI’s cutting-edge camera technology can create an unforgettable viewing experience that resonates with both critics and audiences alike.